Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Ruth Wetzel
Ruth E. Wetzel, 93, of Wausau passed away peacefully on March 20, 2019.
Ruth was born on March 22, 1925, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Emilia and Frank Erdmann. Ruth had a passion for life that far exceeded her 93 years: hiking, happy hours, the art of makeup, cherishing her family, her community at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, and most of all her dedication and adoration for her husband Vern Wetzel. Ruth was an avid collector of knowledge, reading every detail of National Geographic magazines, as well as seeking understanding and acceptance from those around her. She was admired for her compassion, thoughtfulness and kindness to all.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Vern and brothers Frank, Harold (Dorothy), and Chuck (Joyce). She is survived by three children, Cheryl (Tom) Heger, Colorado, Bruce (Janis) Wetzel, Wisconsin, Cindy (Jeff Kobrock) Wetzel, Maine; five grandchildren, Eric (Megan) Wetzel, Jason (Lindsay) Heger, Holly (Wendy) Watson-Wetzel, Scott (Kristine) Heger, Emily Kobrock, and seven great grandchildren: Zaida, Ryder, Marnix, Bexley, Emerson, Bennett and Harrison.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 25, 2019, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Wausau. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Her family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Pride TLC as they are grateful for the peace of mind knowing she received such loving care.
David Seiser
David Alan Seiser, 66, died on March 20, 2019, after a heroic seven-year battle with esophageal cancer. He was born Sept. 24, 1952, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, to William C. and Virginia Grace Seiser (nee Noerenberg). The family lived briefly in Ithaca, Nebraska, and then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended John Marshall High School, where he participated in the school band, choir and swim team. He went on to graduate from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
Dave made his career in the insurance industry beginning with GAB Business Services in Milwaukee and Wausau, Sentry Insurance in Stevens Point, and then 24 years with Church Mutual Insurance in Merrill, Wisconsin, where he was a claims supervisor, manager and internal auditor, retiring in 2014.
Dave had a passion for hunting and fishing, Wisconsin sports teams, playing bridge and golf, grilling out and downhill skiing. He was a steady, life-long friend to many with whom he shared these interests.
Dave valued First United Methodist Church in Wausau. He was an active member of the Bells Choir, choral group, and assisted with lay reading at Sunday services. He has requested that memorials be made to the First UMC Music Ministry.
David was preceded in death by his mother, Grace. He is survived by his son, Matthew (Samantha Boykins), grandchildren Autumn and Bowman of Wausau; his daughter, Liesl, of Chicago; his father, William; his sister, Jo Ellen (Tom Brown), of Stevens Point; his brother Paul (Jayne Riederer Seiser) Wausau; his sister, Lyn (Darin Bentzinger), of Panama, Nebraska; many nieces and nephews; his partner Lynn A. Reichelt; and his former wife, Barbara Vieth Seiser.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Wausau, 903 Third St. Pastor Jayneann McIntosh will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church. Online condolences can be made at www.brainardfuneral.com. Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hamid Rezazadeh, Dr. Eric Johnson and the caring staff of Aspirus Oncology.
Sally McSherry
Sally A. McSherry, 82, of Wausau passed away on March 19, 2019, at Cedar Ridge in Mosinee.
Sally was born to the late Oscar and Erna (Dahm) Kalbes on Nov. 12, 1936. She attended Trinity Lutheran School in Wausau, and then owned Lots of Love Daycare for over 20 years.
She enjoyed reading and shopping. She was very giving to her family and friends and she especially enjoyed spoiling her granddaughters and spending time with them. She cherished her visits from the children she took care of over the years; her children were her biggest pride. She had a witty personally and a smile that could light up the room.
Sally is survived by daughter Heather (Dolan) Johnson; grandchildren Mackenzie Johnson and Alexis Johnson; sister Lana Sporisky of Bonduel, Wisconsin; nieces and nephews Jane (John) Becker, Cathy Tiffany, Jody, (Julie) Sporisky, Jay (Julie) Sporisky, Jeff (Cara) Sporisky, Cindy Stanke, and Jason Sporisky; and good friend Eugene Glenetski.
She is preceded in death by parents Oscar and Erna (Dahm) Kalbes of Wausau, Wisconsin; siblings Jean (Lenard) Brzezinski of Wausau, Wisconsin, Nancy (Joseph) Wesolowski of West Bend, Wisconsin; nieces and nephews Micheal Wesolowski, and Gary Stanke.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 23, at 2:30 p.m. at Brainard Funeral Home- Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, with a visitation from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
The family would like to especially thank family, friends, co-workers, Aspirus Hospice and Cedar Ridge Assisting Living for the out-pouring of prayers and support.
Julie Litzer
Julie A. (Buss) Litzer, 57, of Wausau died Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at Ascension St. Clare’s, Weston.
Julie was born on July 10, 1961, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to the late Dale and Phyllis (Brzezinski) Buss.
Julie is survived by her life partner Rodger Olson; children; Amy (Joshua) English, Amanda (Christopher) Olson; grandchildren, Emily, Mathew, Kayden, Carter English, Bianca, Rozalynd, and Harper Olson; sisters, Lori (Paul) Schmaling, Lisa (Jeffrey) Gustafson; nephews, Alex Mitek, Jacob Schmaling, Tim (Amber) Gustafson, Spencer Gustafson; great niece and nephews; as well as her fur baby, Molly.
Julie was preceded in death by her grandparents, aunts and uncles. She enjoyed time outdoors, especially with her family, and she spent her career as an outstanding CNA devoting her time to helping the elderly.
A gathering of family and friends will take place on Friday, March 22, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, WI 54476. The celebration of her life began at 1 p.m.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Stephen Pogorzelski
Stephen Vincent Pogorzelski died unexpectedly at his home on March 9, 2019, in Colby, Wisconsin, at the age of 45.
Steve is survived by his parents, Joseph and Maureen Pogorzelski, Sr. of Stevens Point; brothers, Stewart (Katherine) Pogorzelski of Plover, and Joseph (Becky) Pogorzelski, West Jordan, Utah. He is further survived by his sisters, Katherine (Shaun) McMahon of Plover, and Molly Pogorzelski of Neenah. He is preceded in death by his mother, Laura Worzella; and his grandparents.
Steve was born on Dec. 7, 1973, in Stevens Point, to Joseph Pogorzelski, Sr. and Laura Jane Worzella. He graduated from SPASH in 1992. While a senior in high school, Steve enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s Deferred Entry program. Shortly after graduation, he began his career in the Navy where he was proud to serve his country as an electronics technician for nine years. He later worked in the private sector in Bahrain before returning to the United States where he joined the United States Navy Reserve. He was deployed to the Middle East twice as a reservist. He worked in the security system industry and relocated to Colby.
Steve married Michelle Jensen and they later divorced.
As per Steve’s wishes, there will not be a service. His family asks that you celebrate the lives of those you love, each and every day.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home/Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society are assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
