Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Lester Nowacki
Lester G. Nowacki, 86, of Athens died Wednesday, July 3, 2019, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill.
He was born Dec. 23, 1932, in Athens, son of the late Frank and Alma (Boneske) Nowacki. On July 18, 1953, he married Delores Heldt in Athens. She preceded him in death on Dec. 4, 2014.
Lester was a life-long dairy farmer in the town of Bern. Some of his favorite pastimes included fishing, hunting, traveling and playing cards, especially sheepshead and cribbage. He also enjoyed mixing cookie batter, butchering, sausage-making and spending time with his family. Lester will forever be remembered for his ability to strike up a conversation with almost anyone and always making them laugh with a joke or witty comment.
Lester proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 during the Korean War.
Survivors include his children, Barbara (Michael) Horne, Mosinee, Roger (Laura) Nowacki, Athens, Donna (Harvey) Blaubach, Wausau, David (Cindy) Nowacki, Athens, Kathy Schreiner (Jeff), Medford, Jim Nowacki, Athens, Diane (Duane) Blaubach, Athens, Karen (Mark) Golding, Merrill, and Robert (Buffy) Nowacki, Athens, 28 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Lester is further survived by his two brothers, Andy Boneski, Germantown and Bernard (Bernice) Nowacki, Medford as well as his one niece.
Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one great granddaughter, Stephanie and his sister-in-law Betty Boneski.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. The Rev. Mark Schwalenberg will officiate. Burial will be in the Athens Lutheran Cemetery where full military honors will be conducted by the Athens American Legion. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 11 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or School. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital of Weston, Aspirus Hospice and Comfort Care of Wausau, and Woodland Court Elder Services of Merrill for their outstanding care and compassion they all shared with Lester during his stay with them.
Valeria Jastinski
Valeria L. Jastinski, 95, died Sunday, June 30, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born April 21, 1924, in Wausau, daughter of the late Valentine and Anna Petrowski. On Oct. 14, 1947, she married Lawrence Jastinski at Holy Hill, Wisconsin.
Survivors include her husband, Lawrence “Sue” Jastinski; daughter, Barbara Jastinski, several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother and three half-sisters, Claire Gustafson, Regina McCallum and Ann Sanders.
Per Valeria’s wishes there will be no services. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
