Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Jerome Schara
Jerome S. Schara, 78, of Marathon died Sunday, March 24, 2019, at his home.
He was born May 15, 1940, in the town of Emmet, Wisconsin, of the late William and Adelaide (Karlen) Schara. He married Evelyn (Michlig) Schara at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Halder, on June 6, 1964. They have spent 54 happy years together. She survives.
He worked at Marathon County Highway Department for 37 years. He especially enjoyed gardening, being outside and playing cards. Most of all, Jerome loved being with family.
Jerome is survived by his wife of 54 years Evelyn Schara; five children Sue (Jim) Dreikosen of Wausau, Tom (Patti Zernicke) Schara of Marathon, Mary (Roy) Tinkey of Mosinee, Lisa (Bruce) Haffenbredl of Auburndale, Patti (Jeff) Stroik of Kronenwetter; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three brothers Kenny (Joyce) Schara of Edgar, Marvin (Kay) Schara of Marathon, Duane (Judy) Schara of Marathon; one sister Carol Nowak of Edgar; sister-in-laws Janice Michlig, Rosalie Michlig; one brother-in-law Norbert A. Lang; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers-in-law; 1 sister-in-law; and special friend Roger Feltz.
A memorial mass will be held Thursday, March 28, 2019, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 3158 Halder Drive, Mosinee, with a visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to a family friend, Sherri Drozd.
Patricia Mergendahl
Patricia (“Patty) Faye Mergendahl, registered nurse, 90, died peacefully from natural causes on March 21, 2019, in Weston, Wisconsin. She spent time with her family in the days before she died.
Patty and her identical twin sister, Pauline (“Polly”) Noel were born Dec. 9, 1928, in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Their father abandoned the family when they were young. Struggling through the Depression, the family moved to Newton, Massachusetts. One of her brothers, Richard, died in World War II, and a second brother Stanley, is recently deceased. The twins graduated from Newton High School and enrolled at Newton-Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing.
After earning her nursing degree, Patty married her high school sweetheart, Roger Mergendahl, who was at the time serving in the U.S. Army. After Roger’s military service, the two moved to Big Sur, California. A few years later they moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Roger pursued a Ph.D. in English. Two sons were born in Madison, and Roger accepted a tenure-track faculty position at the nascent University of Wisconsin – Marathon in Wausau. Patty served for three decades as an registered nurse in emergency, surgery recovery, pediatrics and drug research. Three more sons were born and raised in Wausau.
When she wasn’t preventing her five sons from breaking each other’s arms and legs, Patty loved to paint, knit and quilt. She read Dickens and obscure Russian novels. She loved the outdoors, happily swimming in Lake Superior in springtime, with icebergs floating past, while her sons huddled under towels on the beach. Patty found joy in music, theater and art, serving as a docent at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Patty could have done great work in any number of fields, but she never complained about her limited educational opportunities, or anything else, and she was steadfastly loyal, kind and generous to her family and friends.
Patty is survived by her twin sister Polly (Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts), by her five sons, Peter, David, Matthew, Paul and Andy, and by 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Pride TLC, 7805 Birch St., Weston WI 54476 at 1 p.m. April 7.
Patty was an exemplary American, living proof that combining a love of learning with hard work and kindness to everyone leads to success, where success is defined as a life of joy and fulfillment. She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, 700 North 12th St., Wausau, Wisconsin, 54403.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Daniel Buss
Daniel Joseph Buss, 63, of Weston died Thursday, March 21, 2019, at his home. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Daniel was born on Dec. 4, 1955, in Antigo, Wisconsin, to Raymond and Lillian (Ketelaar) Buss.
He spent his early years in the Eland, Wittenberg-Birnamwood area and later moved to Wausau. Dan attended North Central Technical college after high school. He was employed by Marathon Electric for 40+ years until health reasons became an issue and he retired in November of 2017.
Dan married Linda (Rietz) on April 13, 1985. They welcomed two daughters into their home, Lillian, Nov. 7, 1990, and Victoria, July 31,1992. Together they moved from Birch Gardens trailer court to their land and home in Weston in March 1993. Dan and his family became avid pre-1840 campers/re-enactors. Dan enjoyed many a blazing campfire with friends, family, home brewed spirits and great music. He also enjoyed coffee so strong a spoon could stand up in it. After retirement, he spent many hours watching the wildlife in the woods and yard around the house. He has some of the best fed wild birds anywhere. It was habit to give the family the daily wildlife update when they got home. There were many hours also spent watching his favorite shows like “Star Trek,” “Big Bang Theory” and many shows on PBS.
His girls can remember hearing from little on his favorite saying whenever a thunderstorm rolled through “The thunder crashed, The lightening flashed, The tree fell down and the frog got smashed.” He would also tell everyone to, “Be careful out there and watch out for idiots.”
Dan, or some fondly called him Danny, is survived by his wife Linda, daughters Lillian and Victoria, sister Carolyn Krienke (Jerry), niece Crystal Krienke Bonkoski (Brian), nephew Justin Krienke, Rebecca Schmidt, Bruce Rietz (Alyssa) and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. He was also honored to have many close and caring friends. Daniel was preceded in death by both of his parents.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 29, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Brainard Funeral Home- Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, with a visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
The family would like to thank all of the family, friends, work families at Shopko and McDonald’s who have been so supportive at this time. They would also like to thank the team of first responders, police officers, funeral home employees and all the people who tried to help on the night of passing.
Sylvia Camomilli
Sylvia A. Camomilli, 90, Mosinee, formerly of Gaastra, Michigan, passed away peacefully with family at her side on Saturday, March 23, 2019, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Mount View Care Center, Wausau.
She was born July 1, 1928, in Wauwatosa, daughter of the late Oliver and Frieda (Scopici) Beaudoin. She moved with her siblings as a young girl to the Iron River, Michigan, area where they were raised by their maternal grandma, Albina Scopici. They grew up alongside their aunt Rose, who was like another sister to them. Sylvia graduated from Iron River High School in 1946 and married Duilio “Dovey” Camomilli later that summer. They made their life together in the area. He preceded her in death on Oct. 24, 2001.
Sylvia worked for many years as a grocery store cashier, and she and Dovey sold antique and vintage items at flea markets in Minocqua and St. Germain for more than 20 years in retirement. Sylvia was well-known at the flea markets for her beautifully pressed vintage linens and antique glassware.
Sylvia was a wonderful cook with a generous heart; there was always room for one more person at her table, no matter how little they had. Throughout much of her life, Sylvia enjoyed sewing, knitting, crochet, gardening and canning. She played cards weekly with her “card club ladies” for many years and taught many of her grandkids how to play canasta. She and Dovey enjoyed putting together puzzles, and she was also a phenomenal Scrabble and Big Boggle player. Sylvia was an avid reader until becoming visually impaired later in life, at which time she discovered audiobooks. She also became an avid Brewers fan later in life and rarely missed watching a game.
Some of Sylvia’s fondest memories were of packing the kids up and driving out into the country for a picnic. She also loved to pick wild berries and hazelnuts. In the fall, Sylvia and Dovey loved to spend time in the woods, picking button mushrooms to can and bird hunting. They also enjoyed spending time at the family deer camp.
Sylvia had a lifelong love of learning. She enjoyed a variety of programs on public television, and was amazed at the vast amount of information readily available on the internet. In the past few years, she would frequently ask family members to ask Siri who sang a certain song, if a favored actor was still alive, or how things were made.
Sylvia enjoyed talking to people from all walks of life and hearing their stories. She didn’t like to complain and she felt strongly about doing what needs to be done. Sylvia was a lifelong Catholic of deep faith, belonging to St. Cecilia in Caspian, Michigan, for much of her life.
One of the highlights of Sylvia’s life was a surprise 90th birthday party her family threw for her last summer. Extended family drove and flew in from around the state and country, and she talked about that day for months after.
Survivors include her children Richard (Cindy Adams) Camomilli, New Holstein, Suzzette Camomilli, Kiel, and Tess (Ken) Damitz, Weston, 13 grandchildren, including special granddaughters Gina (Robert) Provensal, Kenner, Louisiana, and Amie Leonoff, Wausau, 18 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Janet (Bob) Kenney, Colgate, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by special aunt Rose Cozzuol, infant son Daniel Alexander Camomilli, grandson Paul Camomilli, and her beloved older brother, Oliver “Jack” Beaudoin.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2019, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. The Rev. Allan L. Slowiak will preside. Burial will follow later in spring at the Iron River Cemetery. Friends may call on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services, all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Wisconsin Public Television and Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library.
Sylvia’s family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the staff of Aspirus Wausau Hospital Palliative Care Unit and Mount View Care Center for the attentive and loving care they gave her in her final weeks of life, as well as the kindness and compassion they showed our family during this difficult time.
Vickie Writz
Vickie Writz, 66, Athens, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Marshfield Medical Center.
She was born Nov. 3, 1952, in Milwaukee, daughter of the late Wesley Jr. and Evelyn (Wirth) David. On October 3, 1970, she married David Writz at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Athens.
For over 40 years, Vickie worked for Weyerhaeuser Marshfield Door/Masonite Architectural in Marshfield, until her retirement. Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed camping and being outdoors, and especially loved spending time with her family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma.
Survivors include, her husband, David Writz, Athens; three daughters, Cindy (Todd) Frahm, Athens, Stacey (Greg) Metz, Merrill and Dawn Aurner, Grand Rapids, Michigan; seven grandchildren, Taylor and Tanner Frahm, Bradley and Kelsey, Metz, William and Erika Aurner and Alex Writz; and one great-granddaughter, Sophie.
Memorial services will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Lisa Motalvo
Lisa A. Montalvo, 52, of Schofield passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2019, with her big brother Thomas by her side.
Lisa was born in Frankfort, Indiana, on March 3, 1967, to the late Avida Montalvo. Though life was not always easy for Lisa, she lived it fiercely, and with a smile on her face. She started smiling when she was a small girl and just never stopped, and because of that camera-ready smile, she was adorned with the name “Cheesy.” Since her adolescent years, Lisa faced many hurdles with her health. Doctors struggled to find a diagnosis, and tested her for everything ranging from ALS to MS. But she didn’t let that stop her. Her stubbornness and strength kept her going. Later in life, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which became metastatic and traveled throughout her entire body. Even that didn’t stop her. Lisa was truly one of the strongest people her family has ever known.
Lisa was loving, caring, imaginative and a take charge woman. She made friends easily; was a loving mother, amazing sister and wonderful aunt. She was a great cook and loved to spend her time with family and friends talking late into the evening. Life will forever be changed without “Cheesy’s” smile to brighten up even the darkest of days.
She is survived by her big brother, Thomas Serna of Wausau; little brother, Richard Robles of Lafayette, Indiana; son Michael Serna; as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her mom, Lisa was preceded in death by her sister, Tina Hadley; and her significant other, Sergio, aka Chuckles.
A celebration of Lisa’s life will take place in her home town of Lafayette, Indiana, at a later date.
The family would like to thank the staff at Inclusa and all of the health care workers for all of their love and compassion for Lisa while she was in their care.
Allan Albrecht
Allan J. Albrecht passed away peacefully on March 21, 2019, with his loving wife by his side at Acorn Hill Assisted Living in Mosinee. He was born to the late Reinhard and Rose (Nezda) on May 26, 1939, in Wittenberg, Wisconsin.
In 1957, he graduated from Wausau High School. Allan served proudly in the United States Army Reserves from 1957 to 1958. He then married Dorothy (Bloedel) on June 4, 1960, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wausau; together they celebrated 58 years together.
He worked for Drott-J.I. Case for 25 years and then started his own business, Wausau Machine & Technology until he retired in 2009. In 1976, Allan and Dorothy bought a piece of property up north on Manson Lake.
Even though he enjoyed hunting and fishing, his pride was going up to Manson Lake with his family and enjoying the many seasons that it offered. He found a lot of peace and enjoyment there and in 2001 they made it their permanent residence. Family and friends will cherish the many memories up north.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy, two daughters, Lynn (Peter) Zastrow and Sara (Dan) Maras, four grandchildren; Logan, Mikayla, Morgan and Mya. Sister Donna ( Felix ) Skarda, Sister-in-law Sandy Bloedel. Nieces and nephews; Nicole, Nathan, Krissy, Kellie and Kevin.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother in law David Bloedel.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 12, 2019, at Wesley United Methodist Church 1101 Elm St., Wausau. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Ethan Larson officiating.
A very special thank you to the caring staff at Acorn Hill and the team from Interim Health Care. As Allan would say, “God Bless and Amen.”
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Robert “Boober” Wyne
Robert “Boober” Wyne, 72, of Antigo, formerly of Wittenberg, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2019, at Ascension Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston.
He was born on March 1, 1947, in New York, the son of the late Edward and Loretta (Meverden) Wyne. Robert was a logger by trade. He enjoyed horseshoes and bowling, puzzles and watching the Packers.
Survivors include two brothers, Jim Wyne of Eland, and Thomas Wyne (Janice Schier) of Birnamwood; two sisters, Beatrice Beyer of Wittenberg, and Joanne Wyne of Eland; one aunt, Leone Preuss of Birnamwood; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Loretta Wyne.
It was Bob’s wishes that no services be held.
The family would like to thank the staff of Eastview Nursing Home in Antigo for their care of Bob over the last several years. They also appreciate all who cared for him at St. Clare’s ICU.
