Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Ellis Peterson
Ellis Reuben Peterson, 92, of Wausau passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau. He was born on March 3, 1927, in Marinette to the late Ellis and Margaret (Fischer) Peterson. Ellis was drafted in to the U.S. Army at the end of World War II serving as a military police officer in Nuremberg, Germany. On Jan. 8, 1966, Ellis married Kathleen M. Viertel at First English Lutheran Church, Wausau.
Ellis worked as a sales representative for the Pitney Bowes Co. for 23 years. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling with the family. Whether it was camping or traveling Europe, he enjoyed going new places and meeting new people. He also had true passion for music that he enjoyed sharing with all. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church and active in the church choir.
Survivors include his wife, Kathleen, Wausau; children Eric (Kathryn) Peterson, Wausau; Terry (Linda) Traeder, Aurora, Illinois; Kathie (Orrin) Maki, Wausau; grandchildren Brian (Kari) Thrope, Madison; Brad (Sarah) Peterson, Milwaukee; Zac Peterson, Milwaukee; Sam Meyers, Wausau; great grandsons Ben and Wyat Thrope, Madison. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at First English Lutheran Church, 402 North Third Ave., Wausau, at noon. Pastor Eric Olson will officiate. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First English Building Fund.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Robert “Bob” Schroeder
Robert “Bob” F. Schroeder, 91, was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.
He was born on July 3, 1927, in Lane, South Dakota, the son of the late John Fred and Marie (Gutzmer) Schroeder. He is survived by two siblings, Darrell Schroeder and Marjorie Ebersold. He married Elizabeth Helen Bruski on July 7, 1951, at Zion Lutheran Church, town of Easton. Elizabeth went to be with the Lord on July 8, 2009. He is further survived by his three children, Richard Lee (Cathe) Schroeder, Lana (Lyle) Kunze, and Rodney Wayne (Dawn) Schroeder.
Robert was an U.S. Army veteran and served 1945 – 1947.
Robert enjoyed driving a semi-truck for the majority of his working life. He also had the opportunity to co-own his own trucking business, G&R Transport, for 10 years. He retired at age 65.
Reading, fishing, hunting, planting his garden and playing cards with family and friends were all things that Robert loved to do. He came alive whenever he had the opportunity to help others.
He was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. His face brightened whenever he got to see them. They were his pride and joy.
It brings great comfort to know Robert professed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior!
Dad, father-in-law, grandpa, great-grandpa, friend, you will be greatly missed. We love you!
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (town of Easton), 238145 Star Road, Aniwa, with Rev. Ryan Fehrmann officiating. Family and friends may call on Tuesday, April 16, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, beginning at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again at the church on Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Beverly “Bevi” Holtz
Beverly “Bevi” Ann Elsie Holtz, 83, of Rib Mountain died Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Bev was born March 31, 1936, at Wausau Memorial Hospital to the late Lorenz and Loretta (Totsch) Otto. She grew up in Wausau and graduated from Wausau High School in 1954, later taking classes at Northcentral Tech. While in high school, she met Richard “Dick” Holtz at a Halloween party and the couple were later married on Feb. 3, 1957, in Orleans, France, while Dick was serving in the U.S. Army. The couple was blessed with two children: Becky and Bart. Bev helped to support her family by working in the HR/payroll department with Wausau Insurance for 20 years.
Bev was a very proud and strong-willed woman who passionately loved her family. She had a very warm, caring heart acting as a caregiver to many over the years and always made sure that her home was open to all for the holidays. Bev especially enjoyed planning and hosting birthday parties for family, treating all with her wonderful cooking. The family made many wonderful memories together at the cottage on Lake Alice near Tomahawk. Some favorite times were spent with her grandchildren when they would spend their spring break together.
Early in their lives, Bev and Dick were very active in the Jaycees, and she was also an Elkette and Girl Scout troop leader. In her free time, summers consisted of playing golf (even earning a hole in one at Rib Mountain) and in the winters, snowmobiling with the Women on Snow. Bev was an extremely avid fan and supporter of the Green Bay Packers beginning in the 1960s when Vince Lombardi led the team to their first two Super Bowl wins. Her unwavering backing never wavered through the years and she often put on videos of those classic games.
Bev is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Dick; children, Becky (Wade) Weiland and Bart (Terri Marten) Holtz; grandchildren, Sydney Weiland, Kyle (Megan Boris) Holtz, Baylee Holtz of Georgia and Brenna Holtz; siblings, Jim (Sally) Otto of California, Karen (Cal) Seban of Wisconsin, Sandy Wimmer of Wisconsin and Tom (Virginia) Otto of Florida; her cherished Australian terrier, Buster, and many extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her nephew, Scott Seban and niece, Jennifer Smith.
The memorial service for Bev will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Pastor Cal Seban will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Saturday, April 27. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Appreciation goes to the ambulance crew from South Area Fire and Response who took her from her home to Wausau Hospital with dignity and respect; and also to the nurses and staff of Wausau Hospital Palliative Care Unit who were so very compassionate in their care for Bev and her family. A very special word of gratitude goes to Lori Schutte, APNP, for her years of care of and friendship to Bev.
Geraldine Hornung
Geraldine was born on Feb. 12, 1930, in Wausau to Elmer and Jenny (Lee) Blank. She was educated at Wausau area schools and graduated from Wausau East High School. Geri married Donald Hornung on Oct. 1, 1949, at St. James Catholic Church, Wausau.
Geri enjoyed gardening and canning. She loved dancing, especially the polka, and going to the casinos. Geri was an avid Brewers and Packers fan. She loved the outdoors and was an avid dog lover. Most of all Geri enjoyed time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, in 2008; her parents; brother, Eugene Blank; and sister, Jane Way.
Geri is survived by her son, Scott (Jenny) Hornung of Kronenwetter; three daughters, Susan (Dennis) Dabbert of Kronenwetter, Debra (Ken) Krautkramer of Kronenwetter, and Karen (Bernard) McKay of Kenosha; nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of Colonial Health and Rehab Center for their thoughtful and kind care of Geri and her family.
A private family service will be held. The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Michael Pinney
Mike was born in Wisconsin Rapids on April 21, 1953, to Robert and June (Brundidge) Pinney. After being together for 13 years, he married Patti Pruss on Nov. 18, 2005.
Mike received an associate degree in aeronautics from Gateway Technical College and Bachelor of Arts and Master degrees in business administration from Lakeland College. Mike pursued a career in aviation as a certified flight instructor and in aviation management through his business, River Cities Aviation.
Mike enjoyed riding his Harley, flying airplanes, Nascar racing, fishing and gardening. He also had great pride in his sons and grandchildren.
Mike is survived by his wife, Patti; his sons, Michael II (Stacey Soik) Pinney of Wisconsin Rapids, and Jordan (Natalie Dillman) Pinney of Blaine, Minnesota; three granddaughters, Ilana and Bailey Pinney of Wisconsin Rapids, and Isabella Pinney of Blaine, Minnesota; brothers, Clifford (Kathleen) Pinney of Green Bay, and Douglas Pinney of Wisconsin Rapids; and sister, Sandra (Michael) Adams of Wisconsin Rapids.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; his mother, June; and his brother, Steve.
The family would like to extend their thanks to Aspirus and Marshfield Health Systems for the care of Mike over the past few months.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society of Wisconsin Rapids is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
