Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Mary Schwala
Mary C. Schwala, 81, of Wausau died Thursday, April 4, 2019, at Mount View Care Center.
Mary was born on April 13, 1937, in Marinette, Wisconsin, to the late Adolph and Georgina (McDowell) Schwala.
Mary was very artistic and enjoyed painting, as well as creating images with stained glass. She was well-read, really enjoying Eastern philosophy. To relax, Mary would head out to the garden and tend to her flowers or sit inside and listen to classical music.
Mary is survived by her four children; Elizabeth Pavloski-Simonson, Butch Pavloski, and Thomas Paul (Eileen Vaughn) Pavloski, and Scott Pavloski; six grandchildren, Gwen, Alicia, Christopher, Mary, Jesse and Kyle; 11 great-grandchildren; her sister, Ruth VanHaren; and niece and nephew, Tracy and Greg. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra A. Hamilton.
A graveside family service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at Calvary Cemetery, 631 Spring St., Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.
William “Bill” Overbeck
William G. “Bill” Overbeck, 69, of Rothschild passed away Thursday, April 4, 2019, at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston, surrounded by his family.
Bill was born Oct. 27, 1949, in Chicago, the son of the late Gustav and Pauline (Rankel) Overbeck. He graduated in 1967 from D.C. Everest High School. On Aug. 31, 1974, he married Debbie Arps at St. James Catholic Church, Wausau.
He began his sheet metal apprenticeship in August of 1968. For many years, Bill worked as a journeyman at Sheet Metal Contracting in Wausau until he was hired as an instructor, teaching the apprenticeship program at the technical colleges in Wausau, Green Bay and Appleton. He was very well liked and respected by his students. He was also on the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Board representing the instructors. Some of his favorite pastimes included hunting, fishing and enjoying time spent with his family. He shared his passion by mentoring and guiding other youth hunters. In his younger years, he was active in the Rib Mountain Bowmen, shot league pool and participated in trap and skeet.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie, Rothschild; children, Kim (Matt) Nelson, De Pere and Chris (Linnea) Overbeck, Plymouth, Minnesota; three very special grandchildren, Ashlee and Alexis Nelson and Reece Overbeck; siblings, Carol (John) Hagen, Wausau and Julee (Dan) Pelot, Merrill; brother-in-law, Greg Arps, Wisconsin Dells; sisters-in-law, Shelley (Eugene Litzer) Arps, Wausau and Julie (Jay) Kolbeck, Wausau; several nieces and nephews and lifelong friends Mark Freeman and Duane Patridge who shared his love for all things outdoors.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy, his mother and father-in-law, Louis and June Arps, and brother-in-law, Kevin Arps.
Bill will be remembered for his quiet nature and being a true friend who was always willing to help someone out.
Memorial services will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2019, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home at 1302 Sixth St. in Wausau. The Rev. William Grevatch will officiate. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Ellen Kruit
Ellen Rose Kruit, 95, of Wausau passed away Thursday April 4, 2019, at Benedictine Living Community surrounded by her family. She was born on Feb. 28, 1924, in Lansing, Illinois, to the late Joseph and Lillian (Drunecke) Broomhead. On Nov. 14, 1942, she married William Edward “Bill” Kruit in Hammond, Indiana.
Ellen waited 2 ½ years for Bill to come home from World War II. They resided in the greater Chicago area of Illinois and Indiana for 12 ½ years before moving to the town of Maine, where they farmed from 1955 until they retired in 1983. She also worked for the Wausau School District in food service. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting and crossword puzzles, but her true passion was flower gardening. Over the years, her family grew just like her gardens and she cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren.
Ellen is survived by her children Rose (Bill) Johnson, Wausau; Jack (Laurie) Kruit, Wausau; Debbie (Vincent) Gau, Wausau; Phyllis (Peter) Seubert, Tavernier, Florida; grandchildren Todd (Lynne) Johnson; Scott (Dawn) Johnson; Emily (Andy) Lindsey; Rachel (Merle) Farkas; Holly (Mike) Worzalla; Andrew (Marc Bernhard) Kruit; Leo (Mallory) Gau; William (Amber Brzezinski) Gau; Brooke (Brandon) Schindler; Linsey (Brett) Ekblom; Ryan (Kelsi) Seubert; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister Olive Bales, Lowell, Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, daughter Kathleen, son-in-law Leon Robison, five sisters, five brothers.
A Memorial Service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church, town of Maine, 5304 44th Ave., Wausau. Pastor Dan Sire will officiate. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until the time service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Town of Berlin Cemetery at a later date. Friends may sign the family guest book at helke.com.
