Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Wilfred Gehrke
Wilfred Frederick Gehrke, 97, of Wausau passed on Friday, June 14, 2019, with his loving family by his side.
He was born in the town of Easton on Feb, 15, 1922, to the late Carl and Louise (Schlei) Gehrke. Wilfred served his country honorably as a First-Class Technical Sargent, Company B, 3139 Signal Service Battalion in the United States Army during World War II. He was stationed at the U.S. Headquarters in Frankfort, Germany, where he worked along side Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, assigned to lead a unit, and directed troops where to move in the European Theater. His unit received two Army Distinguished Unit Citation Awards. In addition, Wilfred earned the World War II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal.
He met the love of his life, Marianne Emma Rademann, while dancing at Litza’s Ballroom. They later were married on Sept. 2, 1950, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, in the town of Pine River. Wilfred and Marianne made their home in Wausau, while raising their four children; Sandra, Wayne and twins LaNae and Alane. Wilfred was a machinist for 37 years for Wausau Motor Parts. He took great pride in his family and will be remembered for his strength, perseverance, military service, sense of humor, smile and firm hugs. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed going to Lange’s auctions. He loved to listen to polkas and could often be found dancing with his bride most weekends. Ich Liebe Dich, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle and friend. Until we are with you again.
Survivors include his four children, Sandra (Robert Vining) Richardson of Node, Wyoming, Wayne (Tama) Gehrke of Weston, twin daughters, LaNae Maki of Madison, and Alane Flora of Weston; seven grandchildren, Alexander (Tyler) Richardson, Malana Gehrke and Jarek Gehrke, Lance (Liz) Maki, Trevor Maki and Daniel Maki, and Erin (Tanner Hanke) Flora; three great-grandchildren, Chance and Gage Richardson, and baby Hanke due in December; sister-in-law, Florence Schmidt of Menomonee Falls; brother-in-law, Carl Rademann of Reno, Nevada; as well as many nieces and nephews. Wilfred was preceded in death by his wife, Marianne, of 64 years; his parents; his son-in-law, Bruce Richardson; sister, Freida Lange; and three brothers, Edward, Herman and Carl.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Pastor Zach Holdorf will officiate. Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau, and again at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Entombment will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park with full military honors. You may sign the family guestbook at helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
The family would like to acknowledge and especially thank the nurses and team of staff from Mount View Care Center, Applegate Reflections, Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Dr. Jordan Ashton and Kathy Smrz-NP from Marshfield Clinic, Dr. Hamid Rezazadeh from Aspirus Cancer Center, Dr. Paul Luetmer from Aspirus CVA, Interim Health Care, Wausau Manor, Never Forgotten Honor Flight Family, VFW Burns Post 388 , VFW Post 10262 of Plover; as well as the many friends who have supported Wilfred’s family throughout his care.
David Zynda
David L. Zynda, 84, of Wausau passed away on Monday, June 17, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born on Jan. 29, 1935, in Stevens Point, to the late Basil and Rosalie (Bartkowiak) Zynda, and was a 1953 graduate of P.J. Jacobs High School, where he excelled at basketball. On Sept. 12, 1959, he was married to Germaine Lasecki at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Stevens Point.
David served nine years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and worked as a pressman and sportswriter at the Wausau Daily Herald newspaper before retiring after 35 years with the company.
His interests included salmon fishing, woodworking, and he taught CCD classes around Wausau for 25 years.
David is survived by his wife, Germaine; daughter, Debra (Scott) Siewert; sons, Keith Zynda and Todd (Angelita) Zynda; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
The memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 700 Bridge St. in Wausau. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time for Mass.
Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Delores Stephani
On the morning of Monday, June 17, 2019, Delores Ann Stephani, loving wife and mother of five passed away peacefully at the age of 82.
Delores was born July 10, 1936, in Freedom, Wisconsin, to Bernard and Lorraine Weiland. On Nov. 24, 1955, she married her husband of 60 years, Larry Stephani at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Black Creek, Wisconsin. Larry then passed into the Lord’s hands on Oct. 6, 2015. They raised four sons and one daughter while running a dairy farm in Black Creek.
Delores worked as a secretary at Kimberly-Clark until after the birth of her first child, when she then took the time to raise her growing family and help on the farm. In 1985, she returned to administrative assistant work with Wisconsin Tissue. After that, she did some temporary placement jobs, most notably at Wayne-Hummer Financial Investments. She carries with her the love and fond memories of many people during these years of employment. She formally retired in 2012 to continue her passions of sewing and singing in the church choir at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Black Creek.
Delores is preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Lorraine Weiland, her husband Larry, and a granddaughter Raquel.
She is survived by her five children: Terry, Jim (Robin Douglas), Steve, Vicki, and Dennis (Karen Ocaña) Stephani; 14 grandchildren: Amy (Joe) Ciochetto, Niki (Jon) Gilmore, Joe (Danielle), Rod (Paula), Dr. Jennifer Stephani (David McCarthy), Eric (Rebecca), Cory, Jessica, Brock, Dillon Stephani, Amanda Henneman, Carson, Hope, and Lucia Stephani; nine great-grandchildren: Sienna, Lila, and Mia Ciochetto, Harper, Landon, Isabella, Audriana Stephani, Benjamin and Katherine McCarthy. She is further survived by two sisters: Lois Wright and Diane (Gary) Krull; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral Mass for Delores will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Black Creek. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at the church from 9 a.m. until the Mass. A meal will be served afterward.
