Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Elaine Roloff
Elaine Roloff entered eternal life on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. She was born May 8, 192,8 to the late Harry and Ethyl Knapp. On Dec. 13, 1945, she married David Roloff, who preceded her in death on Nov. 5, 2010.
She worked various jobs in Wausau over the years, but her greatest joy was running her own business, Elaine’s drapery and upholstery for the last 25 years of her working career.
Elaine is survived by her children, Ross (Becky) Roloff, Wausau, Evone (Bob) Hagerman, Pleasant Prairie, and Sharon Roloff, Wausau. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dan, Sarah, David and Katie, and great grandchildren, Leland, Ryan and Luke. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Gerald David.
Service will be at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St., Wausau, on Monday, April 22, at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service, all at the funeral home. Pastor Buschkopf will officiate. \Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park. Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.brainardfuneral.com.
The family wishes to send sincere thanks to the staff at Azura and Heartland Hospice for their patience and compassionate care in Elaine’s last months. A special thank you to Pastor Buschkopf for his consideration and kindness to Elaine and the family.
Ernest Steinke
Ernest Steinke, 86, of Minocqua passed away Monday, April 15, 2019, at Howard Young Medical Center in Minocqua.
He was born Aug. 26, 1932, in the town of Reid, son of the late Robert and Martha (Stoltz) Steinke.
Ernest started working at Rib Mountain Heating and Sheet Metal and later retired from Sheet Metal Contractors of Wisconsin.
Ernest proudly served his country in the United States Marines during the Korean Conflict from 1951 until 1954.
Ernest enjoyed cutting fire wood, fishing, hunting, especially hunting out west. He enjoyed all sports, but racing was his favorite. He liked watching “Wheel of Fortune,” westerns and the History Channel. He was a gardener, enjoyed feeding and watching all of the wildlife around his home. He enjoyed playing cards, cribbage and going to the casino with his daughters. In his younger years, he played baseball and was on a bowling league. He was also on a pool league at Chatterbox Bar, which his brother Joe originally owned.
His door was always open for family and friends and he loved to reminisce about fishing on Squirrel Lake, a place he had been going to and eventually lived, for over 50 years.
He will be remembered best for his humor, his sweet tooth and his woodworking.
He enjoyed driving his golf cart with Patsy, his beloved dog by his side. He also enjoyed taking anyone out on the lake in his pontoon for a ride around the lake or to go fishing. Many family members had houses on the same road and not a summer went by without a game of horseshoes, pig roasts and bonfires.
We would like to thank Ascension at Home, for their compassion and dedication toward our dad. Without you, he would not have been able to fulfill his wish of staying at home as long as possible.
A special thank you to our aunt Rose Marie, for the kindness and support she showed to our dad over the years.
Survivors include his eight daughters, Deborah Puckett, Schofield, Dawn (Rick) Bender, Wausau, Elizabeth (Dennis) Western, Mosinee, Cynthia (Brain Janikowski) Hotchkiss, Pike Lake, Lori Steinke, Wausau, Lynn (Fred) Ruth, Sturgeon Bay, Paula (David Irwin) Haas, Weston and Becky (Brian) Schultz, Aniwa; 17 grandchildren, James (Jessica), Tiffany (John), Jared, Dustin, Heather (Ronald), Jessica (William), Jennifer (Matthew), Emily (Matt), Olivia (Ryan), Jerry, Amanda, Katrina, Shelby (Thomas), Sadie, Elizabeth, Justin and Trevor; 15 great grandchildren, Tydus, Camden, Addison, Kinsley, Eden, Jordan, Madeline, Andrew, Nicholas, Justin, Whitney, Sonya, Makenzie, Isabelle and Levi; one sister, Delores Pyke, Wausau; one sister-in-law, Rose Marie Stanke, Minocqua; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as the mother of his children, Verona Steinke, Schofield.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his four-legged companion of 15 years, Patsy, his granddaughter, Autumn, his brothers, Joseph, Leonard (Maxine), Rupert (Joyce), Eugene, Nick and Frank, his sisters, Alicia (Irvin) Meverden, Virginia (James) Anklam and Marion (Gene) Kurth.
Rest in peace dad…Semper Fi! Hoorah!
A Memorial Mass will be held at Noon, Thursday, April 25, 2019, at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. The Rev. Louis Britto will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a humane society of your choice. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Tatiana Ewenko
Tatiana S. Ewenko, 93, died Tuesday, April 16, 2019, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Oak Heights, Kronenwetter.
She was born Oct. 9, 1925, in Zapparus, Ukraine, daughter of the late Peter and Anna Shapka. While in her early teens during World War II, Tatiana was torn from her family and put into a concentration camp where she spent several years until the end of the war. She then spent several years in a displaced persons camp where she met her future husband, Makar. They were married in 1947 in Germany and soon after were sponsored to come to America by the Grabko family of Hatley, Wisconsin. Once in America, Tatiana started her career at Ed’s Café teaching herself how to not only learn English but how to cook. She would later hold jobs at the Landmark Hotel, the Wausau Club and, after retirement, Tropical Gardens. Her true joy was cooking and she showed her love to family and friends by having them over for a meal. Earlier this year, Tatiana was proud of her title of fan favorite in Wausau’s first Silver Pageant.
Survivors include her children, Peter (Terri Pazderski) Ewenko, Anna (Bill Christensen) McMurtagh, Eleanor Larsen and Joseph Such.
Besides her husband, Makar, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Janet Ewenko, and two sons-in-law, Patrick McMurtagh and Trygve Larsen.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Wausau. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.
The Ewenko family would like to thank Tammy Ruenger and her band of angels, for all the loving care Tatiana received in her three years at Oak Heights and special thanks to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Rosemary Burkhamer Cornell
Rosemary “GG” (Culver) Burkhamer Cornell, 86, of Janesville passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in Wausau under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
She was born Feb. 23, 1933, in Janesville, daughter of the late Arthur and Evelyn (Munson) Culver. She married Kenneth Burkhamer Sr. on Dec.24, 1950, and began their family.
Rosemary was a loving mother to Kenneth (Diane) Burkhamer Jr., Fithian, IL, Joseph (Jannie) Burkhamer, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bonnie (Kenneth) Jensen, Wausau, and Edward Burkhamer, Loveland, Colorado. She is further survived by a son, Duane Riedell, Davenport, Iowa; a sister, Elizabeth Everson, Green Bay; along with many nieces and nephews. Rosemary was a loving grandmother of 22; great grandmother of 30; and great-great grandma of six.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Larry Burkhamer; one granddaughter, Michelle Burkhamer James; one brother, Charles Culver; two sisters, Leona Austin and Burnett Hansen; and the father of her children, Kenneth Burkhamer Sr.
Rosemary was a proud graduate of the Craig High School in Janesville and attended Blackhawk Technical College, while working as a feisty waitress at the Pine Grove Restaurant in Janesville. Among her favorite pastimes, she loved spending time with her family, gardening and quilting.
Our family will gather to celebrate her life in the coming weeks.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in memory of Rosemary to Echo Inc. (Everyone Cooperating to Help Others), 65 S. High St., Janesville, WI 53548.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau, Wisconsin, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Douglas Dahlke
Douglas Adolph Dahlke, 91, of Wausau died Monday, April 15, 2019, at Wausau Manor Nursing Home under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Douglas was born Aug. 13, 1927, on the family farm in Rib Falls to the late Walter and Selma (Zunker) Dahlke. He was baptized in the family home on Sept. 11, 1927, and confirmed on June 1, 1941, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Marathon. Douglas married Cleora Klockziem on June 9, 1951, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Stettin. The couple was blessed with five children: Susan, Beverly, Linda, Donald and Jerome. For over 30 years, Douglas worked for Marmet Corp. as a welder supporting his family. After 48 years together, Cleora died on April 30, 2000.
Douglas was a very simple, old-fashioned man whose principles and hard work ethic were passed along to his children and grandchildren. Early in his life, he worked at a sawmill from sun up to sun down for a dollar a day, never complaining, simply working hard. Douglas was also a man dedicated to his faith. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church for most of his life and the family would attend Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Minocqua while staying at the family cottage on Papkee Lake in Minocqua. Douglas proudly helped build his own home and cottage and even dug the well that supplied the cottage. In his free time, Douglas enjoyed spending his time outdoors as much as possible: fishing, hunting, making wood, cutting grass and snowmobiling. Following his retirement, he loved going to the farm to drive his favorite red IH tractors and kept busy tinkering on whatever he could.
Douglas is survived by his loving children, Beverly (Everett) Schmidt, Linda (Lyle) Zernicke, Donald (Deb Kuether) Dahlke and Jerome (Ann) Dahlke; son-in-law, Harris Thomas; grandchildren, Shannon (Jerry) Kniess, Shawn (Lisa) Thomas, Nathanel Schmidt, Ethan Schmidt, Benjamin (Leslie) Zernicke, Dustin Zernicke, Kim (Jesse Kloth) Zernicke; great-grandchildren, Brittany, Brenton, Holly, Megan, Emily (John), Jacob, Tidas, River, Brooklyn and Axton; great-great-grandchild, Brentley; sisters, June (Elroy Jr. “Sonny”) Roeder and Sharon (Merlin) Goetsch; brother-in-law Levi Klockziem and sisters-in-law, Delphine Klockziem and Elaine Klockziem; and extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Thomas; and siblings, Stella Schuster, Wilbert Dahlke, Hubert Dahlke, Eleanor Kage, Harold Dahlke and Lorraine Plautz.
The funeral service for Douglas will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at First English Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. Erik Olson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at Helke Funeral Home; resuming at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the church until the time of service. Burial will be at Rib View Cemetery at a later date. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to the First English Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 402 N. Third Ave., Wausau, WI 54401).
Sincere gratitude goes to Dr. Noel Sonnek and the nurses and staff of Wausau Manor Nursing Home for their compassionate care for Douglas.
Dale Ericson
Dale Reynolds Ericson, 81, of Marshfield, Wisconsin, died Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Marshfield Medical Center.
He was born Aug. 19, 1937, in Medford, Wisconsin, to parents Ewald Ericson and Ruby (Lukes) Brantner.
He graduated from PJ Jacobs High School in 1955 and went to UW-Madison, where he earned a chemical engineering degree in 1959. After college he worked at various paper companies in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; Antioch, California; International Falls, Minnesota; and DeRidder, Louisiana.
Dale enjoyed going to casinos and playing Black Jack. He also enjoyed visiting family and friends and engaging in lively conversations and was never afraid to express his opinion on any subject. He liked technology and liked working with early computers from the 80s and 90s. He enjoyed woodworking and carving duck decoys; he also made stained glass pictures.
Survivors include his three daughters: Michaelene Cychosz, Corinne (Tom) Ward, Laura (Bob) Manka; seven grandchildren: Gentry (Amy) Juneau, Adam Cychosz, Annie (Nate) Kline, Alison (Andy) Graf, Aaron St. Peter, Sarah (Alex) Worthington, Zach (Claire) Manka; six great-grandchildren: Felicia and Radlee St.Peter, Eli and Coalie Graf, Ella and Lauren Kline. siblings; brothers John Michael Ericson, Jim Brantner and sister Roxanne (Bob) Skidmore. stepfather Tony Brantner of Marshfield, Wisconsin. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and stepmother Maxine Ericson and his brother Gary Ericson.
A private family memorial and Inurnment will take place at Hillside cemetery in Ogema, Wisconsin, at a later date.
Dales family would like to thank the staff at the Touch of Home assisted living, the doctors and staff at the Marshfield Medical Center.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society and John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time.
Mary Jane “MJ” Holzem
Mary Jane “MJ” Holzem, 93, passed away on Tuesday, April, 16, 2019, at Cedar Creek Manor in Mosinee under the care of the wonderful personnel working there, her children, as well as the support of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
She was born on June 1, 1925, in Wausau, to the late George and Martha Halkoski of Brokaw.
On June 22, 1946, she married the late Gregory C. Holzem at the former St. James Catholic Church in Wausau.
She enjoyed dancing, playing cards, doing puzzles, going to the casino, visiting with friends, spending winters in Mission, Texas, and doing household duties that included keeping a very clean house.
Besides her husband, Gregory Holzem, and parents, George and Martha (Kruzicki) Halkoski, MJ was preceded in death by her special friend, Walter Pechacek of Stillwater, Minnesota; her granddaughter, Kendra Rae Boushley; son-in-law, Clark D. Oleson; brother and sisters-in-law, Art and Marcella Berndt, Wib Pierce, Gene and Katherine VanVreede, Jerome and Arlene Loss, Charles and “Gert” Holzem, Jim Babicky, Barbara Holzem, Marge Holzem, Richard Platta; father-in-law, Christian Holzem; mother-in-law, Amelia (Schneck) Holzem; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.
Survivors include her daughter, Gwen (David) Hegy of Schofield; son, Jeffrey (Marcia Pospychalla) Holzem of Brownsburg, Indiana; grandson, Jay Holzem of Brownsburg; step-grandson, Mat (Marti Smith) Hegy of Eagle River; step-great-grandson, Alex Hegy of Eagle River; sister, Rose Marie Platta of Merrill; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marvin Holzem of Wisconsin Dells, Alex Holzem of Wausau, Anna Mae Babicky of Weston; Chris (Roger) Sefton of Texas; Cecilia (Bob) Gwidt of Schofield, Sandy Dorshak of Rothschild; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Special thanks to the exceptional owners and caregivers of Cedar Creek Manor who treated Mary Jane “MJ” like family. MJ repeatedly told us how happy she was to live at Cedar Creek because “it is such a nice place.” In addition, Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services did an outstanding job keeping her comfortable to the end. Also, a sincere thank you to Dr. Kaupie of Aspirus Family Physicians for providing her with incredible medical care.
Mary Jane’s wishes for a private celebration of life event will be held at a future date.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family.
Michelle Block
On Monday, April 15 a very special lady earned her wings after her courageous fight with brain cancer. Michelle (Shell) Block was born Jan. 15, 1981, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to Rick and Karen Block.
She attended Stetsonville and Medford schools graduating in 2000. Michelle worked for G&D Enterprises, Memorial Hospital, Marathon Cheese, Deerview Meadows, the Hedlund agency, and caring for a special set of twins. Michelle’s true calling was working in the medical field. She went back to school and became a medical assistant and worked at a clinic in Rib Mountain, where she was loved by her co-workers and patients.
Her cancer forced her to leave this job. Michelle loved going to dirt track races, watching Nascar races, walking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. With her beautiful smile and friendly nature, Michelle made a new friend wherever she went.
Michelle leaves behind her parents, two brothers Clayton of Spencer, and Mitchel of Babcock, a sister Courtney (Ethan Kramas) Withee, and many very special friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Michelle was greeted at heaven’s door by her baby brother Josh, her grandparents Art and Isabelle Haas, and Clarence and Ione Block, and her uncles Warren Block and Art Haas Jr.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 27, at the First Baptist Church, Medford.
To honor Michelle, the family asks that you wear bright colors or red, white and blue – two of Michelle’s favorite things.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hope Hospice or Taylor County Walking for a Cure.
A special thanks to Hope Hospice who made it possible to keep Michelle home where she was surrounded by family and friends.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time.
