Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Leo Benaszeski
Leo Benaszeski, 83, died Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Rennes Health and Rehab under the care of Ministry Hospice.
He was born Aug. 10, 1935, in what is now Rothschild, to the late John and Anna (Kowalchyk) Benaszeski.
He married Rose Marie (Dalske). Rose passed away in July 1992.
Leo, who had been widowed, met Loretta “Lori” Schmidt. They spent the rest of their time together dancing, traveling and enjoying life together. She survives.
Leo graduated from the first class at D.C. Everest in June 1954. He then joined the U.S. Army and served in the 376th Finance Unit. He also served his community as a volunteer fireman in Rothschild.
After starting on the farm as the youngest of the Benaszeskis, he also worked at Rondo Cheese. He was employed at Drott and J.I. Case from 1955 until 1990. He worked in many departments, including the inventory control department at retirement.
Leo was a member of Wausau Elks Lodge 248 for 53 years, serving as exalted ruler, trustee, and on the State Committee for Business Practices. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge #1572, Eagles Lodge #251, American Legion and Wausau Country Club.
He is further survived by two sons, Steve (Mary Alice) Benaszeski and Mike (Lisa) Benaszeski; sister, Josephine Ringwelski; brother, David Benaszeski; four grandsons, Justin, Casey, Alex, and Joshua Benaszeski; one granddaughter, Alanna (James) Ambrosius, including Loretta’s daughter, Kathy Schmidt. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret (William) Hess; brothers John (Anna) Benaszeski, Sylvester Benski, Richard (Cora) Benski, Herman (Agnes) Benaszeski, Dennis Benaszeski, Leonard (Renee) Benaszeski; sister-in-law, Arlene Benaszeski, and brother-in-law, Jerry Ringwelski.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. A Lodge of Sorrow will be performed by Wausau Elks Lodge #248, and Military Honors will be performed by American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post 10. Private entombment will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park.
Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Audrey Miller
Audrey Miller, 80, of Wausau entered into eternal life with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 13, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on Aug. 28, 1938, to the late Arthur and Hilda (Lind) Lundeen in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, she married William F. Miller in Wisconsin Rapids on July 30, 1967.
Audrey lived her life for the Lord. In everything she did, her strong Christian faith and deep love for her family was prevalent. Having a servant’s heart, Audrey volunteered much of her time and talents to those in need; whether it was singing at nursing homes in the community or sharing her time and faith with those who were struggling as part of the Living Free program at her church for over 15 years. A wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Audrey and William traveled the world for employment and to spend time with family. Later in life, one of Audrey’s greatest desires was that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, William of Wausau; children William, Jr. (Angelika) of Germany, John (Mary) of Wausau, Mark (Lori) of Wausau, Terri Koenig of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Timothy of Wausau; 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Edward Lundeen, and granddaughter Jennifer Koenig.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019, at Thrive Church, 400 Grand Ave., Wausau. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the church. Private entombment will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau.
Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Alex Juvonen
Alex Juvonen, 92, of Wausau died Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Applegate Reflections, Wausau.
Alex was born March 25, 1927, to the late Matti and Anna Juvonen in Ripseva, Russia. Although he was born in Russia, Alex was proud of his Finnish heritage. He met Margaret Brandt in Sweden and they were married there on Nov. 17, 1951. She preceded him in death on Oct. 19, 2005.
During their early years as husband and wife, Alex and Margaret lived in Sweden but later moved to Canada and then the United States, where Alex had his own decorating business. When he retired in 1994, he moved to Wausau.
Alex had a strong faith in God and dearly loved his family and friends. He enjoyed the dictionary, studying languages and playing chess.
Survivors include his son, Anders (Kerry) Juvonen, Schofield; two daughters, Angela Juvonen, Morton Grove, Illinois, and Annette (Ken) Bodnar, Durango, Colorado; five grandchildren, Laura (Adam) Van Noord, Wausau, Ellen and Erik Juvonen and Andrea and Ted (Amber) Bodnar and eight great grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Karl Alexander Bodnar.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Thrive Church, 400 Grand Ave., Wausau. Pastor Joe Shelton will officiate. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Thrive Church, 400 Grand Ave., Wausau, WI 54403.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Catherine Brown
Catherine Brown, 85, of Wisconsin Rapids died May 12, 2019, due to complications from a prolonged illness.
Catherine was born in the town of Rozellville, Wisconsin, and raised by her parents George and Pauline Guldan. She married Donald Brown and settled in Wisconsin Rapids where she worked with JC Penney as the catalog manager until her retirement.
She is survived by two daughters, Dianne (Ron) Hahn and Cheryl (John) Pischel; and two sons, Jeff (Patricia) Brown and Jim (Jan) Brown; six grandchildren, Shawn Plante (Glenna), Ryan Brown, Kristal Brown, Taylor (Daniel) Fickenscher, Daniel Brown, Kayli Brown; and her cats, Bebe and Sassy.
Services will be held on Thursday, May 16, at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, 820 13th St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids, with the Rev. Jerome Patric officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home of Wisconsin Rapids is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Alice Molinski
Alice Stieber Molinski, 77, passed away peacefully, Friday, May 10.
Alice was born in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, but was raised by Arleigh and Mable Stieber and always called the Wausau area home. Although her career was insurance/administration, where she was employed by Wausau Insurance Company and later retired from the Internal Revenue Service, her passion was music. Whether singing and strumming on the guitar with the band on weekends, writing songs or holding jam sessions, her love of music was undeniable and they had the fan base to prove it.
Alice spent her spare time playing games with the family, when she couldn’t be fishing, and watching the Packers play. She never missed a game. Her kind, gentle heart will be dearly missed. She thanks all who touched her life and reminds all of us to be kind.
She is survived by her sister, Marlene; and her daughter, Michele.
