Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Mark Denfeld
Mark Denfeld, 67, of Wausau passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Mark was born April 18, 1952, to Edward and Leona (Levandoski) Denfeld in Wausau. He married Jean Hirn at St. James Catholic Church on Sept. 10, 1977.
Mark was very proud of the business he built, Denfeld Concrete Construction, Inc., which was started by his father. He was a great friend to many; and his family and friends were the most important thing to him in life. He had a strong passion for oldies music, playing his guitar, loved his Friday fish fries with a good Old Fashioned, was an avid fan of the Wisconsin Badgers, but most of all, loved his wife and daughters with all his heart. He especially loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren, who loved their grandpa so much and meant the world to him.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, Wausau; daughters, Kristen (Adam) Tuttle, Wausau, and Erica (Matt Wilhite) Denfeld, Madison; mother, Leona Denfeld; sister, Mary Beth Denfeld, Chicago; brother, Stuart (Stacey) Denfeld, mother-in-law, Phyllis Hirn; and nephews, Tyler Denfeld, Thomas Denfeld, Travis Schertz, and Tyler Schertz. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Denfeld and father-in-law, Frederick Hirn.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2019, at Church of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, 621 N. Second St., Wausau, WI 54403. The Very Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday, as well as from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, all at the church. Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
William Sikonia
SSG William J. Sikonia, U.S. Army, 62, a former resident of Erwin Township, passed away Thursday evening, 20 Jun. 2019, under the hospice care of the Mount View Care Center in Wausau with family and friends by his side.
Bill was born on Nov. 30, 1956, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to William and former wife, Marilyn (Lingofelt) Sikonia. He attended several local area schools and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1975.
Bill bravely battled through a blood and bone cancer called myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and in November 2018, he received a stem-cell transplant at the Nashville VA Hospital, Tennessee, that took over three months of closely monitored recovery. The transplant was successful and Bill returned to his home in Wausau to continue rehab. However, from May through June, Bill was in and out of the Madison VA Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma cancer common with transplant patients and further testing revealed that his MDS returned.
After enjoying a wonderful Father’s Day with family at the Madison VA, Bill was transferred to hospice care at the Mount View Care Center in Wausau. His fight to live and beat cancer were strong but his body unable to recover.
Bill never enjoyed retirement life having enlisted into the U.S. Army in June 1975; followed by boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After completing basic, he received training at Fort Bliss Texas, Fort Benning Georgia, and Fort Bragg North Carolina. He served two tours in Germany with the Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the latter tour as Vulcan Squad leader. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and Jumpmaster in the 82 Airborne Division, achieving the Master Parachutist Badge. Some other accommodations included the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal 5th award, Army Achievement Medal with 1St Oak Leaf Cluster, Expert M-16, German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge-Bronze, Driver-Mechanic badge, Army Recruiter Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon.
After Bill’s military career, he worked with Federal Mogul Corp. for 15 years and Roehl Trucking for the past eight years while in Wausau; though his real passion involved spending time with his siblings, grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Family time was most important.
Bill touched many folks in his short life. His gullible nature, quirky laugh, goofy sense of humor, and Donald Duck impersonations will be remembered forever and a day by everyone he knew and met.
Bill was previously married to Mary (Landowski) Sikonia, Minneapolis, Minneapolis. He was a loving brother, father, grandpa, friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Bill is survived by his stepmother, Susanne Sikonia, Ironwood, Michigan; Mary Sikonia, the mother of his two daughters Theresea and Elizabeth, Wausau, Wisconsin, stepson, David (Jessica) Van Vuren, Ringle, Wisconsin; brothers Steven E. (Sharon), Oxnard, California, Robert J. (Dawn), Ironwood, Gregory P., Chanhassen, Minnesota; Jimmy (Debra) Whipple, Davenport, Florida; sister Christine (Gary) Smith, Thomasville, North Carolina; Tom (Mary) Whipple, High Point, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Valerie Sikonia, Chesapeake, Virginia; grandchildren Ethan, Owen, Ashlyn, Alejandro, Emiliano, and Diego; nieces and nephews, Mike, Brittany, Ryan, J.T., Lisa, Melissa, Kristen, Scott, Steven Michael, Connor and Evan.
He was preceded in death by both parents; mother, Marilyn J. Lingofelt (Oct. 19, 1999); father, William B. (Feb. 2, 2018); brother, Carl L. (Feb. 2, 2010); nephew, Kevin P. (April 21, 2011); uncle, Charles D., (Aug. 23, 2016); niece, Bobbie J. (Mar. 1, 2017); grandson, Mark (Sept. 8, 2007).
The family is honoring Bill’s life with visitation from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 26, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Binu Joseph, celebrant. The honorary pallbearers will be from Bill’s family and friends.
Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood. Military rites will be accorded at the cemetery under the auspices of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.
Expressions of affection in a charitable contribution in Bill’s memory are suggested in lieu of flowers to the American Legion Post 10, 1001 Golf Club Road, Wausau, WI 54403.
The family wishes to thank the hospice staff at the Mount View Care Center, and the doctors, nurses and staff from the Madison VA Hospital, Nashville VA Hospital and Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care given to Bill throughout his fight with cancer.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Lucas Gajewski at the Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center, in Wausau, Wisconsin, and Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at https://www.brainardfuneral.com or http://www.lakesidememorialchapel.com.
Donations may be made to:
American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post 10, Wausau
1001 Golf Club Road, Wausau WI 54401
Tel: 1-715-581-5210
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.wausaupost10.com/
Kathleen “Kay” Fay
Kathleen “Kay” E. Fay, 76, of Wausau, formerly of Manchester, New Hampshire, died Friday, June 21, 2019, at Pride TLC in Weston, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
She was born Sept. 26, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of the late LeRoy and Maxine (Harrigan) McDonald. On March 17, 1962, she married Paul Fay in Round Lake, Illinois. He preceded her in death on April 23, 2001.
As a U.S. Navy wife, Kay raised her two children all over the United States and supported other Navy wives doing the same. Kay worked as retail manager for the Burlington Coat Factory in Manchester and Nashua New Hampshire until her retirement. She traveled extensively and especially loved her trips to the British Virgin Islands and Europe. Among some of her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, boating and fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, the New England Patriots, bird watching, particularly cardinals, the Red Hat Society, playing dominoes with her friends, and she loved dogs, especially her collies.
Survivors include her daughter, Colleen Fay, Elgin, Illinois; her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Fay, Wausau; two grandsons, Ryan and Sean Fay; her granddaughter, Stephanie Fay; and 14 nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Paul, she was preceded in death by her son, Paul Fay; a sister Eleanor and three brothers, Tom, Jerry and Redmond McDonald.
A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2018, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Rev. Gail Sowell will officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, Help Fight RA, 8815 Conroy Windermere Road, Suite 309, Orlando, FL 32835.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Charlotte Lambrecht
Charlotte L. Lambrecht passed from this earth to Heaven on June 21, 2019.
Mom began her life Dec. 27, 1930, the third of four children born to Charles and Theresa (nee Filla) Jadzak. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent her early years on a farm in Peplin, Wisconsin. In her teens, her family moved to a farm in Halder, Wisconsin, where she ultimately met our dad, Sylvester Newman. They were married May 20, 1950, and moved to Wausau, where they raised their five children together until Dad’s death in January 1968. In her later years, Mom was courted by her dear friend, Ervin Lambrecht; who was welcomed into our family when they married on Dec. 19, 1981. They shared 10 years of love and happiness before his death in September 1991.
Mom had a fine intellect, great sense of humor, and lots of moxie! She had a deep love of family, including her fur family, and a strong belief in the Catholic faith. She had a variety of interests, including taking Sunday family drives, attending her children and grandchildren’s dance and sporting events, water skiing, listening to country and polka music, dancing, playing cards with family and friends, completing word find puzzles, watching TV shows about animals, doing yard work and nurturing her rose garden, and traveling extensively throughout the U.S. She fished in Canada with Erv and spent relaxing vacations in the Dominican Republic with her daughters and granddaughters, most often with Judy. She enjoyed crocheting, donating many of her beautiful creations to residents of area nursing homes. She was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers, and was tickled pink when she was able to attend the games in person.
Mom’s support and encouragement helped each of us become better people. She taught us the value of being honest, and that through hard work and perseverance we would become our best selves. Seeing her children and grandchildren thrive and succeed made her very happy. Mom was particularly proud of her son Jay when he started his own business.
Mom was loyal to her family, her friends, and her faith. She taught our family many valuable lessons throughout her life. She was very reliable, if she said she would do something, it got done!
Mom is survived by her: daughter Judy Laub and her significant other Woody, Foley, Alabama, and Judy’s children, Tammy Faries and her husband, Doug, Atlanta, Georgia; Rebecca Lindner and her husband, Randy, Wausau, Wisconsin; Heidi MacEachern and her husband, Steve, Wausau: son Jeff and his wife, Leslie, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, and their daughter, Callie Ward and her husband, Terry, Cottage Grove: daughter Jo Ann Newman, Phoenix, Arizona, and her son, Kyle Newman, Stetsonville, Wisconsin; daughter Jill Newman, Wausau; and son Jay and his wife, Tammy, Wausau, and their children Heather (soon to be married to Allen Mankiewicz), Larsen, Wisconsin, and Nathan “Nate”, Wausau. Through this great family Mom was blessed with 17 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Sy and Erv; her grandchildren, Chad Newman, Chase Newman, and Jessica Chesmore (nee Newman); her great-granddaughter, sweet Mary Marcella MacEachern; her sister, Loretta Peake and her husband, George, and her brothers, Edward “Ed” and Charles “Chuck” Jadzak and their wives, Dorothy and Judy, respectively.
A great big thank you to all those who helped us from day one to day last at Lakeview Heights, North Central Health Care/Mount View, and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Wausau. You helped Mom feel loved, special, and cared for during a very difficult time in her life. Bless all of you.
A celebration of Mom’s life was held on Monday, June 24, 2019, from noon until time of services at 2 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau, Wisconsin.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Lori Meister
Lori Ann Meister, 53, of Hatley passed away at her home on June 18, 2019.
She was born in Milwaukee on Oct. 13, 1965, to Frederick “Fritz” and Patricia (Steele) Poeske. Lori married Jeff Raymond Meister on July 12, 2002, at the Marathon County Courthouse.
In her free time, Lori enjoyed crocheting and always looked forward to the week of summer vacation up north. She also enjoyed cooking and hosting family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Jeff of Hatley; stepchildren, Jamie (Matt) Rainville of Wausau, Eric (Brittany) Meister of Janesville, Tony (Kristin) Meister of Stevens Point, and Allen Meister of Antigo. She is further survived by her step-granddaughters, Emma Race and Krista Rainville; as well as her parents, Fritz and Pat Poeske, town of Maine; and her brother, Mike Poeske, town of Maine.
Memorial services will be held at noon on Saturday, June 29, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church, 5304 North 44th Ave., town of Maine. Pastor Dan Sire will officiate. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Inurnment will take place at the church cemetery. You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Shirley Butzlaff
Shirley May Butzlaff, 80, of Wausau passed away Friday, June 21, 2019, surrounded by her family at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born May 26, 1939, in Wausau, daughter of late Helen Morris. On Feb. 27, 1960, she married Donald Robert Butzlaff.
Shirley retired from the office of Sutton Transport and was a poll worker for the village of Weston. In their younger days, Shirley and Donald enjoyed camping and traveling to national parks with their children, and occasional trips to Las Vegas. Shirley enjoyed traveling, sewing, quilting and hosting family events. Her true passion was her family and caring for them. She cherished the time spent with her grandchildren the most, including her three great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Donald; children, Kathy (Larry Jr.) Kainz, Al (Mary) Butzlaff, and David Butzlaff; grandchildren, Brandi Butzlaff, Kristen (Avery Luedtke) Kainz, Cody (Teara) Butzlaff, Laura (Kory Kucirek) Butzlaff, Deanna Kainz, and Julie Butzlaff; great-grandchildren, Eli Butzlaff, Fernella and Selwyn Luedtke; sister Barbara LaFave; and brother, Howard Woods.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau, at 6 p.m. Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. until the time of service. Burial of the cremains will be at Restlawn Memorial Park at a later date. Friends may sign the family guestbook at helke.com.
Anastasia “Stasia” Esker
Anastasia “Stasia” Esker, 96, of Hatley passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg under the care of LeRoyer Hospice, Antigo.
She was born on Sept. 24, 1922, in the town of Franzen, daughter of the late Isadore and Mathilda (Bronk) Tryba. On Nov. 21, 1946, she married Lambert Esker in Galloway. He preceded her in death on March 31, 1988.
At age 13, she moved to Chicago where she worked as a nanny and also worked at a shoe factory. In 1943, she moved to Hatley, where she and her husband farmed. She also worked at Hatley Veneer until her retirement. Stasia was an active member of St. Florian’s Catholic Church in Hatley, and was part of their Rosary Society. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, baking and canning. She loved to crochet as long as her hands allowed, even teaching her granddaughters the skill. She enjoyed playing bingo, cards and dice.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathy (Rick) Seefeldt of Elderon; four granddaughters, Heather (Paul) Giddings of Elderon, Jaime (Jeremy) Resch of Elderon, April (Lance) Loonsfoot of Kronenwetter, and Jenna (Donald) Fahey of Merrill; eight great-grandchildren, Tyler and Abby Giddings, Dalton and Vivian Resch, Jolene Loonsfoot, and Malayna, Kendra, and Kase Fahey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lambert, brothers, Joe, Walter, Frank and Theodore Tryba, sisters, Verna Wichman and Sophie Kiedrowski, and her special friend , Louie Resch.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at St. Florian Catholic Parish, Hatley. Fr. Gregory Bohran will officiate. Burial will be in the Parish cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass on Thursday at the church, with a rosary service at 9 a.m.. Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of the Homme Home, LeRoyer Hospice, and the Visiting Angels – especially Christina and Pat.
Memories and condolences may be given at schmidtschulta.com or on Facebook at Schmidt & Schulta.
