Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Julia Borgemoen
Julia Borgemoen, 97, of Weston died Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at Rennes Health and Rehab.
She was born on Feb. 4, 1922, in Lublin, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Charles and Theodozia (Bacha) Hnatko. Julia married Marwell “Marv” Borgemoen on Oct. 7, 1944, in Lublin, Wisconsin.
In 1942, Marv and Julia moved to Chicago. There, she worked at Zenith Radio Corp. In 1956, she was employed by Sunbeam Appliance Corp., spending 25 years as a color expert and lab technician.
She loved time spent with her family, as well as bowling, square dancing, gardening and needlework. She was a woman of great faith and belonged to Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Weston since 1981. She belonged to organizations such as Helping Hands, Easton Homemakers, Son of Norway and Circle of Joy.
Julia is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marv; four sisters, Ella, Netti, Helen, and Ann; and her parents.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St., Weston. Rev. Raymond Connor will officiate. Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery, Curtiss, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Brainard Funeral Home-Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Betty Knetter
Betty Mae Knetter, 70, died Monday, May 6, 2019, under the care of Asceracare Hospice at Stoney River Memory Center, Marshfield.
She was born May 17, 1948, in Stratford, daughter of the late John and Bernice (Alther) Punke. She graduated in 1967 from Stratford High School and on May 1, 1976, she married Stephen “Steve” Knetter at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel. He survives.
Betty enjoyed spending time with her family, raising her three children, caring for various animals on the family farm especially the chickens, gardening and sewing. She also enjoyed bird watching and was always the first one to see a robin in spring. She was a devoted Catholic, serving as a CCD teacher, church custodian for 15 years and president of the Parish Council of Catholic Women at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She enjoyed volunteering for church functions and helping with the Color Vision projects.
Survivors include her husband, Steve, Edgar; son, Brian (Amy) Knetter, Edgar; daughter, Kathy Knetter, Marshfield; grandson, Elijah Knetter, Marshfield; siblings, Leonard (Nancy) Punke, Stratford, Dorothy Bauman, Chippewa Falls, James (Carol) Punke, Newton, Kenneth Punke and Elsie Punke; numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Knetter, three brothers, Elmer (in infancy), Hilbert and Raymond, father-in-law, Michael Knetter and mother-in-law, Rose Knetter, brother-in-law, Gerald Baumann, three nephews, Ardell Punke, Michael Wendtland and Richard Wendtland.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel. Rev. Felix Tigoy will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Pallbearers for the services will be Gerald Bauman Jr., Timothy Punke, Kevin Kurtzweil, Daniel Knetter, Travis Knetter and Jack Knetter.
The family would like to thank the staff at Soney River Memory Center and Asceracare Hospice for their care of Betty, especially Nicole, Canyon, Jennifer, Kylie, Laura, Janet, Mason and Marni.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Priscilla Grell
Priscilla D. Grell, 87, Wausau, died Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born Jan. 1, 1932, in the town of Hamburg, daughter of the late Reinhold and Florence (Kleinschmidt) Graveen. On Sept. 10, 1949, she married Elroy H. Grell at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death on July 13, 2004.
At age 35, Priscilla began her working career with the Wausau Insurance Co., a job she truly enjoyed until her retirement in 1993. Among her favorite pastimes, she loved to travel around the country and abroad and enjoyed endless polka dancing with her husband, Elroy. She also liked to play cards and board games and loved spending countless hours with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include two daughters, Marian (Daniel) Fager, Kewaunee and Lois (Dennis) Gillingham, Wausau; eight grandchildren, Julie (Joe) Bertram, Corey (Debbie) Neumann, Carrie (Andy) Witberler, Ryan (Tracy) Neumann, Josh Fager, Lisa (Chris) Sattler, Heather (Drew) Vorpahl and Denny (Sara) Gillingham; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerald Graveen, Wausau; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Graveen, Minnesota and Ruth Grell, Wausau; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Elroy, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Jonathon Fager; one son-in-law, Allen Neumann; and one brother, Larry Graveen.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2019, at First English Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. Erik Olson will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be on Friday from 11 a.m. until time of services at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Terry “Goot” Gutowski
Terry M. “Goot” Gutowski, 50, Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Wausau, died Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born April 19, 1969, in Wausau, son of Peter and Jeanne (Raduechel) Gutowski, Wausau. At 5 years old, Terry came home with a hockey stick in hand and the drive to challenge the world. Little did we know that his goals would be to compete at a high level in sports, but more importantly to respect your friends and neighbors. Terry’s idea was to live under the guidelines of respect, integrity and ethics to everyone. Truly a son who will be missed in person but never out of our hearts. “Terry, You are a wonderful son and our best friend! Love always, Mom and Dad.”
Terry graduated from Wausau East High School in 1987 and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1992. He started his employment at Crestline Windows as a territorial sales rep, graduated to district sales manager and eventually became the quest communications territorial sales rep. While working for Crestline, Terry lived in Fargo, North Dakota, and was always reminded of the movie “Fargo”; “They sent him to Fargo.”
In 2009, Terry opened the first U-Bake store in Minnesota and in 2011 he opened Gooter Dough To Go in Dundas, Minnesota. He then left the Midwest and found himself in sunny Florida. In 2013, he opened Joey D’s, a Chicago style eatery and bar in Sarasota, and with much success there he was able to open a second restaurant in Sarasota with the help of his partners Bobby and Tommy Dennis. Terry was a fun-loving guy with an army of friends who will miss him dearly. He enjoyed spending countless hours on his boat on the ocean with his friends and walking on the beach with his faithful companion and friend, Lambeau. Terry always enjoyed the trips back to Wausau see his family and friends.
Survivors include his parents, Peter and Jeanne Gutowski, Wausau, his brother, Troy Gutowski, Colorado Springs, Colorado, two nieces, Paige and Cortney Gutowski, two nephews, Benjamin and Daniel Gutowski as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 10, 2019, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Str., Wausau. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Research Center of Wisconsin. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Adele Naef
Adele Ruth Naef, 94, died on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Seymour, Wisconsin. She was born on Jan. 29, 1925, to Otto and Anna (Kaatz) Naef near Wausau, Wisconsin.
In 1949, she entered the ministry and gave her life for 56 years, sharing the gospel story in North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Missouri, Louisiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Due to health limitations, she then resided with family until entering Good Shepherd in 2016.
She is survived by her sister, Eline Forsberg, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Ellyn Naef and Ruth Naef; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold, Raymond, Leon and Donald; and sisters, Leona Nueske, Evelyn Nueske, (baby sister, Edna in 1922), Dorothy Jeske and Sylvia Kelbert.
The funeral service for Adele will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 13, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. The service will be officiated by Robert Eberhardt, Linda Woolum and Eric Nueske. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Adele will be buried at Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
The family expresses special thanks to all at Good Shepherd for their kindness to Adele and thoughtfulness to the family.
Roland Fawley
Roland Eugene Fawley, 85, of Mosinee passed away May 7 at the Aspirus Hospital in Wausau.
He was born May 2, 1934, to Chris Fawley and Yvonne (Baxter) Fawley. He is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn Fawley; and his four children: Terry Fawley, Rhinelander; Susan (Alex) Lindsay, Tomahawk; Larry (Diane) Fawley, Rhinelander; Sharon (Tim) Normington, Oshkosh; and two stepchildren: Linda Koneman (Randy Bleier), Rhinelander; and Robert Koneman, Weston.
He is further survived by his sisters Arliss Kruit, Wausau; Betty (Evert) Kruit, Weston; Beverly (Robert) Russell, Appleton; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, and his former wife, Carol Fawley of Rhinelander.
As Per Roland’s wishes, the family will be having a private memorial service. The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family.
Robert Zoromski
Robert R. Zoromski, 78 of Hatley died on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Pride TLC of Weston.
Robert was born on Oct. 29, 1940, and was the son of late Joseph and Ann M. (Budzynski) Zoromski. Robert was a U.S. Army veteran and was an active member of Post #471, American Legion, Hatley.
Robert drove a truck until his accident in 1976. His former employers include Milwaukee Express Freight Lines, CW Transport of Appleton and County Concrete. Robert then enjoyed cutting lawns and plowing snow for many years until his retirement.
Robert was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He attended the first Packers game and many of the games during the Lombardi years. Robert was a charter member of the Hatley Snowmobile Club and loved to be on his sled in the winter. He enjoyed deer hunting, traveling the country, going on car rides and was an avid follower of the Hatley Braves baseball team.
Robert is survived by three nieces Pamela, Mary and Denise; two nephews Roderic and Paul, many cousins, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anna, siblings, Rita Delap, Ercelle Bricko, Patricia Zoromski, James Zoromski and Reginald in infancy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at St. Florian’s Catholic Church, Hatley. The Rev. Gregory Bohren will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by Post #471 American Legion, Hatley. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family at this time. Messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
Sandra “Sandy” Meidl
Sandra “Sandy” Meidl of Port Charlotte, Florida, died Thursday, May 2, 2019, at Tidewell Hospice Home. She was 81 years old.
She was born on July 1, 1937, in Birnamwood, Wisconsin. The daughter of the late William and Margaret (Pietz) Lemke. She was a graduate of Birnamwood High School class of 1955. She married James Meidl on June 29, 1957, at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Birnamwood. He survives.
Sandra worked a number of years for Employers Mutual before becoming a homemaker raising her daughters, Marijo and Michele. She also did volunteer work for Fort Benjamin Harrison Hospital and Andrews Air Force Base Hospital. Thereafter, she worked retail. She returned to the insurance industry before retiring.
She was an avid cake decorator. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking, crocheting and multiple crafts. You could always expect a joke or quip from her.
Sandra is survived by her husband, U.S. Army (retired) LTC James Meidl; daughter Michele Wenzel; mother-in-law, Gladys Meidl; five grandchildren, Laurel (Soli) Ramsdell, Andrew (Sharon) Raeder, Joseph (Megan) Wenzel, James (Mandy) Wenzel and Alexandra ( William) Herman; two great grandchildren, Reagan and Simon Wenzel; sisters and brothers/sisters in law, Violet (James) Hansen, Barbara Habeck, John (Vivian) Meidl and Jerome (Aubrey) Meidl; nieces and nephews, Cherie (Scott) Nelson, David (Angie) Hansen, Jeff (Colleen) Hansen, Marla (Tom) Haas, Daniel (Dana) Hansen, Rhonda ( Steve) Stern, Brek (Nancy) Minarik, Kurt Minarik, Troy (Ciff) Minarik, Krin Rabe, Debbie (Tim) Freeman, Diane (Habeck) Dicke, Donele (Darrell) Parrish, Darla (Ricardo) Pardo, Darsi (Mike) Anderson, Dana Habeck, Christopher (Kim) Meidl, Rachel Meidl and Diane ( Mike) Kinnery and their families.
In addition to her parents William and Margaret, Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, William and Margaret; daughter and son-in-law, Marijo (James) Raeder; father-in-law, Ludwig Meidl; sister, Delores Minarik and brothers-in-law, Leonard Minarik and Dale Habeck.
In celebration of Sandra’s life, a visitation and service were held Saturday, May 5, 2019, at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home in Birnamwood. Rev. Charles Hoffmann officated.
Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
Ralph Wendler
Ralph J. Wendler, 79, of Wittenberg died on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at his home with his family by his side, and under the care of LeRoyer Hospice, Antigo.
He was born on Sept. 27, 1939, in Shorewood, the son of the late August and Ella (Polley) Wendler. On April 9, 1960, Ralph was united in marriage to Mary Zabrowski in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She preceded him in death on Dec. 28, 2018.
After graduating from high school, Ralph served his country in the U.S. Army where he learned to work as a diesel mechanic. These skills served him well, as he went on to work as a welder and mechanic for Miller Electric Manufacturing in Appleton for over 25 years. After retiring in 2002, he worked part-time doing farming or general mechanic work. He was known to always have something he was tinkering with. Ralph enjoyed going to old car and tractor shows and stock car races. He also enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wittenberg, and an honorary member of the Bloecher-Johnson American Legion Post #502, Wittenberg.
Survivors include two sons, Dean Wendler of Wittenberg and Brian (Cheryl) Wendler of Appleton; two grandchildren, Logan Wendler (Courtney Vandenberg) and Arianna Wendler; sisters-in-law, Jane Wendler of Wittenberg, and Linda Zabrowski of Oshkosh; and brother-in-law, Mark Roman of Appleton.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary, and his brother, Roland Wendler.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg. Rev. Matthew Christians will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery, Wittenberg, where military honors will be conducted. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
Martha Allord
Martha Allord, 97, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, at Benedictine Living Community of Wausau.
She was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Wakefield, Michigan, to the late Andrew and Veronica (Stempinski) Yatchak. On June 5, 1948, she married Udaire Allord in Wakefield, Michigan. After moving to Wausau, Martha worked as a bookkeeper for Home Insulation, then for Krause, Howard Accounting and later for the Woodson Family Office. The family were active members of St. James Catholic Church, Wausau, where for many years, Martha was treasurer for Bingo. In 1989, Martha and Udaire retired to Woodruff becoming members of Holy Family Catholic Church. Always keeping busy, Martha and Udaire enjoyed fishing, ice fishing, going for car rides and exploring new destinations, especially restaurants.
Martha is survived by her four children, Mary (Michael) Moen of Wausau, Carol Kelly and Peggy Sullivan of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Michael (Julie) Allord of Henderson, Nevada, 13 grandchildren, Michael (Bridget) Kelly, Bradley (Roberta) Raasch, Heather (Tom) Leier, Amy Galanski, Hydie (Jamie Sebold) Sullivan, Christina Davis, Molly (Derek Cotton) Moen, Christopher (Angela) Raasch, Casey Allord, Beth (Michael) Bloom, Molly (John) Duckett, John (Tammy) Sullivan, Colby Allord, 32 great grandchildren and one sister, Arlene Miljevich of Wakefield. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Udaire, great grandson, Matthew Raasch, grandson-in-law, Stanley Galanski, four sisters, Patricia Welsh, Phyllis Tarkowski, Margaret Radowski, Sophie Kaveshan and an infant brother.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at noon on Friday, May 10, 2019, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 221 S. 28th Ave., Wausau. Father Robert Thorn will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to the family which will be used for the activity fund at Benedictine Living Community.
