Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Patricia Evenson
Patricia Evenson, 87, of Wausau, passed away on March 21, 2019 at Mount View Care Center.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2019 at The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, 330 McClellan St., Wausau. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com
Raymond Schinker
Raymond “Ray” Melvin Schinker, 80, of Wittenberg, passed away Monday, May 13, 2019 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Raymond was born July 12, 1938 in Port Washington to the late Henry and Margaret (Claussen) Schinker. He married Dorothy “Dolly” J. Cegielski on July 12, 1958 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Milwaukee. Ray worked for Local 139 as an Operating Engineer, and became a lifetime member in 2013, serving 55 years.
Ray’s life was enriched by “his two boys” son Jeff Schinker (Elaine “Lainey” Studelska-Schinker) of Oshkosh and son Steve (Karen Schremp-Schinker) of Wausau. He found joy in his grandchildren: Chelsea Schinker, Chase Bohan, Eric and Alex Schremp. He was preceded in death by his wife, of 50 years, Dorothy in 2009.
Ray loved his country and honorably served in the National Guard. Ray was a competitive race car and snowmobile driver. He loved John Deere tractors, playing cards, going to church, and a hot cup of coffee in the morning. Hobbies included raising cattle, riding ATVs, watercrafting, cooking, making soup, gardening, hunting, and baking delicious pies. In the last few years Ray shared laughter and companionship with Kim Sloan.
Ray’s life was one in which he overcame many obstacles and challenges through hard work and persistence. He raised his family on the “Square 40 plus 4” ranch in Saukville in the 1960s. The ‘70s saw he and the family move to Mosinee where many friendships were formed while he worked with Tork Trucking in Wisconsin Rapids. Retirement and travel soon followed and many new dreams were realized. His dry sense of humor impacted many lives. Raymond Schinker was resourceful and served God well.
The family would like to especially thank Dick and Kathy Bauman, Keith and Julie Truax, all the Monday Night card players at “Tangled Horn” and Vern and the men’s prayer group (he loved you all).
A celebration of life will take place July 12, 2019 at 2pm at St. Joseph Family Parish in Phlox, WI, 54464 / Phone: (715) 489-3330 with food and refreshments following at “Tangled Horn” W18225 Eland Rd, Eland, WI, 54427 / (715) 253-2626
In lieu of flowers, memorial’s in Ray’s name can be sent to Brainard Funeral Home.
John F. Hoeper passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 in Wausau with his family at his side. John was born on July 16, 1940, in Chicago to Fred and Margaret Hoeper, the 4th of 5 sons. When John was 6 years old, the family moved to a farm near Owen, Wisconsin. He graduated from Owen-Withee High School in 1958. He worked several jobs, and enlisted in the Army Reserves and proudly served his country for six years.
In May 1963, John married Diane Umlauft, and they had three childern, Lisa, LeAnn and Douglas. He started his welding career at Meyers Manufacturing in Dorchester in 1965. They moved to the Wausau area in 1968 when John started a new job as a welder at Drott Manufacturing, which later became J.I. Case, until he retired in 1992.
For many years, he also worked part-time at Schroeder Excauvating, as a welder and a general fixer upper. Following his retirement from J.I. Case, he worked full-time for Schroeder Excauvating, and continued welding and fixing things, but also drove dump truck and plowed snow, which he enjoyed. In 2005, he hung up his dump truck keys for good when he retired. John was a Packer’s fan, but when they were not doing well, he would threaten to become a Chicago Bears fan because of his Chicago roots, but he never did.
John enjoyed camping and sitting around a campfire telling jokes and stories. He was an excellent story and joke teller, with the stories getting bigger and bigger with each re-telling. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, and went to the Indianapolis 500 races for 25 years. John liked to weld and build things out of steel, especially if it was a project for someone. He also enjoyed traveling, and traveled throughout the US, and took several cruises and trips to Europe, including Germany. He had a few beers while at Oktoberfest in Germany to accordingly celebrate his German heritage. But most important to John was his family and friends. John loved talking to others and had a gift for gab. You were only a stranger once to John.
John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Diane, and children, Lisa (Mike) Yehle of La Crosse, WI; LeAnn (Eric) Montag of Weston, WI; and Douglas Hoeper of Rothschild, WI. He is also survived by his grandchilden, Sarah Yehle, Michael Yehle, Jonathon Yehle, Nicole Montag, and Jacob Montag, Brothers Alan (Patricia) Hoeper of Kent, Washington, and Gerald (Debra) Hoeper of Granite City, Illinois. Sisters-in-law ‘s Delores Umlauft,Lonnie Hoeper, and Noreen Hoeper, Lou (Lloyd) Luedtke, Lois (Ron) Waldhart, Renee (Bob) McNamar, Julie (Steve) Lapp, Brother-in-law Rodney (Mary) Umlauft, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Margaret Hoeper, brothers Paul Hoeper and Fred Hoeper, in-laws Frank and Esther Umlauft, Brother-in-law Duane Umlauft, and life long friend Glenn Larson, who John considered his ‘brother from another mother.’
Family would like to thank all of John’s family and friends for their support during his illness. The family requests no flowers or plants.
Service will be Thursday, May 23, 2019 at St. Therese Catholic Church 113 West Kort St. Rothschild, WI. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 with mass at 11:00 with Fr. Robert Streveler officiating. Online condolences can be expressed at www.HonorOne.com
Betty Check
Betty A. Check, 73 of Shantytown, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. Betty was courageous and fought hard through her long battle of cancer.
She was born on May 26th, 1945 in Wausau to Edward and Agnes (Dallman) Budnik. Betty graduated from Mosinee High School in 1963 and married Gerald “Jerry” Check on July 18th, 1964 at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent. They celebrated 54 wonderful years of marriage and had two children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Betty worked for a short time at Employers’ Mutual until she had her children. She then worked seasonally for local potato farmers for Christmas money to spoil her family.
Being a homemaker was what Betty valued most. During the week, she spent her time cooking, baking, and chit-chatting on the phone with her most cherished friends. On Sundays, she could be found by the kitchen table playing cards and enjoying her families company. Holidays were Betty’s favorite time of year. Her house was beautifully decorated and filled with wonderful smells from the kitchen.
Betty would never miss her grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals or concerts. She also enjoyed NASCAR, shopping, gardening, church picnics and short trips to the casino.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry, their children Sherry (Bob) Bembenek of Custer and Todd (Keri) Check of Rosholt; grandchildren Sara (Ryan) Kawski, Amanda (Matt) Bertzyk, Ryan (April) Bembenek, Kyle Check and Macey Check; great-grandchildren Benny and Shaelynn Bembenek and two sisters and one brother MaryAnn (Gerald) Heisler, Sr., Bob (Tammi) Budnik and Debbie (Earl) McCloy.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, mother and father in-law, and infant sister, Rita.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at St. Ladislaus Cathoic Church, Bevent. Rev. Augustine Bentil will officiate. Burial will be held in the parish cemetery. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, May 21st from 4:00pm to 7:30p.m. with rosary recited at 7:30 at the church and visitation will continue on Wednesday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of mass.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home of Wittenberg is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com
The family would like to thank friends and neighbors who supported Betty and her family during her illness, Renee Budsberg, Father Gus Bentil, Sister Mary Ellen Diermeier, and Ascension Hospice. A special thanks to Betty’s sister-in-law, Geraldine, for all her loving care.
