Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Janice Gertschen
Janice M. Gertschen, 81, of Rothschild died on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at her home.
Janice was born on Aug. 5, 1937, in Wausau to the late Sylvester and Leona (Dumke) Slomske. She married Alfred Gertschen in Wausau. Together they moved to Milwaukee where they owned and operated their own print shop and engraving company. Janice lived in Milwaukee until 2008 when she moved to Rothschild.
She is survived by her sister Barbara (James) Behn of Wausau and niece Jamie (Tony) Carpenter.
Janice is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and nephew Scott Deicher
No services will be held. Private family service will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery.
Gunnar Zemski
Gunnar John Zemski, much loved and loving son of Lee and Ann Zemski, unexpectedly passed into eternal life on May 25, 2019. His bright smile, terrific sense of humor and incredible hugs are irreplaceable and will be greatly missed.
He was born on Nov. 30, 1999, in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his best buddy, Dziadzia (Joe Zemski), and his gentle Grandy (Rita Menzner). He leaves behind many people who will miss him desperately, including Mom and Dad, Papa (Don Menzner), Busia (LouAnn Zemski), aunts, uncles and cousins.
The funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, June 8, 2019, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon, with burial following in the parish cemetery. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier was the celebrant.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Raymond Quicksilver
Raymond Earth Quicksilver (ne: Michiel) passed away peacefully at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau on June 7, 2019, after a long battle with cancer.
Ray was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Dec. 1, 1951, to Raymond Francis Michiel and Anna Nora Packard (ne: Windorff-Michiel).
His father preceded him in death. Ray is survived by his mother, two sons Dr. Todd (Jennifer) West of Fargo, North Dakota, and Joseph (Ria) Hoff of Littleton, Colorado, six grandchildren, Michael, Samuel, Rebecca, Daniel, Ethan, and Dahlia, six siblings Cynthia Raith, Nicolet Michiel (Christopher Stark), Louis (Linda) Michiel, Renee (Norman) Irish, Perry Michiel, and Georganna Packard, 12 nieces and nephews, seven great nieces and nephews, plus countless relatives and friends.
Ray was a free spirit and lived his life in many places throughout the United States. He worked for the State of Wisconsin Forestry prior to retiring. After retirement, he was a volunteer Blues DJ for WXPR in Rhinelander. He loved the great outdoors and living periodically in his bus in the woods. His passions were hiking, biking, music and talking. He is what we referred to as a “hippie” retaining many ways of his life in the 60s. His favorite lines were “Where am I?” “Daylight in the swamp,” and “Cool is the rule!”
During his stay at the Hospice House, Ray had a continuous flow of family and friends who stopped in to spend time with him during his final days. Many musician friends graciously donated time for impromptu live jams of their music. One of Ray’s favorite pastimes was music concerts, including the famous Woodstock Festival in the 60s. Of course, he was also a part of the “Love and Peace” gatherings in Haight- Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco and Greenwich Village in New York City.
Ray made a silent promise to his father, who passed in 1973, not to drink alcohol, beer or wine and not to take any drugs. He kept that promise never faltering. He lived a healthy lifestyle only eating organic food.
Ray’s wishes are to have no service, only a celebration of life when his ashes are spread on Brockway Mountain in Copper Harbor, Upper Michigan, where he once lived and loved the land. Ray will be returned to the Earth on Sept. 28, 2019. Please contact the family if you choose to participate.
Condolences may be sent to Ray’s mother, Anna Packard, PO Box 1327, Eagle River WI 54521. Contributions to WXPR in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and/or the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau are greatly appreciated.
A special thank you to Golden Harvest in Rhinelander for all their health food contributions to Ray during his illness and to the living angels who provided the very best of care to him at the Hospice House. A very special thank you to Ray’s friend Rob Lindow, who visited him every day for the five months he was in hospice.
He will be greatly missed by his best friend brother Louis and everyone who knew and loved him.
