Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Sharon Ann (Markle) Bloch
Sharon Ann Bloch (nee Markle), a woman with a heart of gold, voracious reader, music enthusiast, and animal lover passed on May 24, 2019 after a courageous fight following complications from surgery.
Sharon was born 29 December 1941 in Saint Cloud Minnesota to “Nony” and Jim Markle. She grew up in Eau Claire with two siblings, Jim and Jean. Being the eldest of three she instinctively developed a remarkable sense of responsibility, dependability, and nurturing. She was truly a natural born mother.
Sharon attended Waldorf College in Iowa studying parish work. With her strong faith, giving nature and the dedication of service to others, she was again a natural. She was the “glue that held the church together.”
Sharon met Jerry Kluetz when she was a parish worker at First English Lutheran Church in Wausau, and they married in 1964. They share two children, John and Amy Kluetz.
Though the marriage didn’t sustain, Sharon always maintained an extraordinarily friendly relationship with Jerry and his family. And, even after marrying the true love of her life of nearly 41 years, Ron Bloch, with Sharon’s understanding personality all three were able to create a happy friendship – to the delight of their children.
Sharon was an unbelievably kind and gentle soul who would freely open her heart and home. It would take only a moment to want to be in her life permanently. She possessed a ready smile, twinkling eyes, and truly listened when you spoke. Sharon was marvelously encouraging and supportive as a mother and completely devoted as a wife.
Sharon took such joy in her grandson Benjamin Kluetz, as well as her furry grandchildren. Sharon unquestionably found family and friends to be her rock. She never wavered in her devotion to them. She, of course, instilled all of these traits in her children.
She was never one to boast, dwell on the negative, focus on her own troubles, or contain an ounce of jealousy. She loved to knit, played piano, sang in the church choir, was a professional art framer, could make an amazing meatloaf, and best of all – she could laugh at herself.
Sharon was preceded in death by her son, John; parents, Jim and Nony Markle; mother and father-in-law, Arlene and Edwin Bloch; as well as her furry grandchildren, Scout and CleoCatra.
A tremendous void will be left in the hearts of her husband Ron; daughter, Amy; grandson, Benjamin; siblings, Jim (Carol) Markle, Jean (Jack) Keegan, Bruce (Sharon) Bloch, and Cheri (Randy) Oswald; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 7, 2019 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 3200 No Mountain Rd. Pastor Gary Brandenburg will officiate. Visitation will take place from 9:00 am until the time of services at the church. Please go to helke.com to sign the family guestbook.
In lieu of flowers, Sharon would love of those who would like to honor her, to make a donation to New Life Pet Adoption Center (Marathon City, WI).
The family would like to thank the medical team at Aspirus Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit, for their compassion and dignity shown to Sharon.
As she was such an extraordinary woman, the world is darker without Sharon in it. But, the legacy she leaves in all those she has touched makes the world a much brighter place.
James “Jim” Schweizer
James “Jim” L. Schweizer, 77, died Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born January 27, 1942 in Joliet, Illinois, son of the late Benedict and Agnes (Rapp) Schweizer. On April 4, 1964 he married Diana Rose Hansen in Marion, Wisconsin. She preceded him in death May 3, 2013.
Jim worked for over 30 years as an over the road truck driver with SNE Transportation and some of his hobbies included golfing, snowmobiling and hunting especially elk in Colorado. He was proud that along with his brother, Bob, they were the two longest continuous members of the Bull Falls Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He was also very active with the Phelps Lions Club. Above all Jim cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his children, Victoria (James) Fitzgerald, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Mary Gunter, Phelps and Brenda (Tom) Bargender, Wausau; 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; siblings, Tom (Karen) Schweizer, Oconomowoc, Robert (Annette) Schweizer, Weston and Elizabeth (John) Streeter, Wausau.
Besides his parents and wife, Diana, he was preceded in death by a brother, William.
Funeral services will be 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be Tuesday, June 4, 2019 held in Phelps, Wisconsin, location and time to be determined.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Elizabeth “Liz” (McCurley) Dwyer
Elizabeth C. Dwyer (Liz), 76, Schofield died Wednesday, May 22, 2019 under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice at Pride TLC, Weston.
Liz was born October 27, 1942 at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of the late James and Agnes (MacLaren) McCurley.
A devoted Mother, she enjoyed spending time with family, classic horror movies, old-time radio shows, shopping on QVC, walks with her grand dogs and shouting out answers when it wasn’t her turn. Liz believed a good cup of tea could almost cure anything.
She is survived by her two children, Joseph J Dwyer III, Williamsport, PA and Mary (Genny) Dwyer, Kronenwetter, her brother James McCurley, Providence, RI, as well as many nieces and nephews who referred to her as “Aunt Beth.”
Besides her parents, she was proceeded in death by her brother William McCurley, sister Mary Tietz.
At Liz’s request there will be no formal services. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Margaret E. Holbach
Margaret E. Holbach 94, Wausau, died Saturday, May 25, 2019 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Mount View Care Center, Wausau.
She was born January 5, 1925 in town of Halsey, daughter of the late Henry and Elsie (Becker) Adams. On April 30, 1946 she married Sylvester Holbach in Wausau. He preceded her in death on February 20, 2012.
Margaret enjoyed fishing, making firewood and gardening especially flowers. She also enjoyed crocheting, putting together puzzles and above all spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Gerald (Kim) Holbach, Larry Holbach, Dennis (Leila) Holbach, Ron (Linda) Holbach, Glenn (Dawn) Holbach and Lori (Dean) Thorson; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren with another due in June, 3 great great-grandchildren, sisters, Dolly Whiteside and Germaine Dietsch.
Besides her parents and husband, Sylvester, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler, two brothers and six sisters.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Margaret’s nephew, Rev. David Wetmore will officiate. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staffs at Renaissance Assisted Living and Mount View Care Center for the excellent care given to Margaret.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Joan E. Erdman
Joan E. Erdman, 91, Wausau, died Friday, May 24, 2019 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born January 11, 1928 in Oconomowoc, daughter of the late Martin and Enid (Melang) Erdman.
Before retirement Joan worked in the statistical department at Wausau Insurance. She volunteered for many years at Mount View Care Center. She was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society and taught Sunday School for three year olds for around 50 years at Immanuel Baptist Church.
Survivors include her sister, Mary Beth Tilloson and a sister-in-law, Janet Erdman.
Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Jay Erdman and a brother-in-law, Henry Tilloson.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Immanuel Baptist Church, Rib Mountain. Pastor Rob Love will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the 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
Virginia Krause
Virginia M. Krause 83, Merrill, passed away Friday May 24, 2019 at Benedictine Living Center, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
She was born November 18, 1935 in Merrill, daughter of the late Clarence and Valeria (Radloff) Borchardt. On December 12, 1953, she married Gordon P. Krause in Merrill. He preceded her in death on November 28, 2013.
For over 35 years, the Krause’s lived in Janesville where Virginia was an active member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Virginia was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, baking and spending time with family. Special to her were the times she could watch her children and grandchildren participate in sporting events. As a people person, Virginia loved visiting with her friends and family, enjoyed playing cards and spending time up north at the cottage.
Survivors include her sons, Geoffrey (Karen) Krause, Wausau, Mark Krause, Janesville, grandchildren, Nicholas (Laura) Krause, Erik (Beth) Steinke, Scott (Danielle) Steinke, Zachary Krause and Sarah Krause; 11 great grandchildren; one brother, Jerome (Donna) Borchardt, Watertown; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Angela Steinke, grandson, Matthew Steinke and a sister and brother-in-law, Eunice and Gilbert Koehler.
Graveside services will be (Time to be determined) Friday June 14, 2019 at Merrill Memorial Park. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Donald J. Artz, 92, formerly of Rothschild, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at the Aspirus Langlade Hospital in Antigo.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and proudly served the Wisconsin State Patrol from 1949 to 1981, retiring as a Lieutenant.
Donald loved his Church; enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing his trumpet and concertina. He was a current member of American Legion Post 234 in Omro and was a life member of the NRA.
Survivors include his wife Shirley (Clark) Artz; sons, Tom (Diana) Artz of Oshkosh, James (Debra) Artz of Ottawa, Illinois, and Steve (Peggy) Artz of Gleason; daughters, Marlene (Harvey) Brown of Tuolumne, California, and Catherine (David) Treutelaar of Mukwonago; daughter-in-law, Nancy Artz of Rothschild; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Leonard “Bud” (Audrey) Artz of Plover; and brother-in-law, James Hersant of Green Bay.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Vida (Lane) Artz; wives, Eleanor (Robinson) Artz, Nancy (O’Dell/Rossa) Artz, Eileen (Fritsch) Artz; son, Bruce Artz; sisters, Dorothy Upton and Patricia Hersant.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at St. Mark Catholic Church in Rothschild. Fr. Allan Slowiak will officiate. Burial with full Military Honors will be at Queen of Peace Cemetery in Antigo. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time for Mass.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
