Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Robert Kayser
Robert W. Kayser, 58, of Weston entered the arms of his Savior on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with lung cancer.
He was born Dec. 6, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, to Ralph and Grace (Pruett) Kayser. He married Patricia C. McConaghy on May 27, 1995, in Lake Zurich, Illinois. She preceded him in death on Nov. 2, 2010. He worked for American Overhead Door Co. in Wausau.
Bob was an avid reader of Stephen King novels, but also loved anything to do in the outdoors like hunting, walleye fishing, kayaking and snowmobiling. He was known as a special kind of “fix-it” man to his family and also had a big heart to help others however he could. Bob could be found cheering on the Chicago Bears, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, enjoying a Friday fish fry and old fashions, or playing his luck on rip tickets and pull tabs from local bars. He was always listening to music whether hard rock and roll, country, or Bob’s favorite, Frank Sinatra. Together with Sheri, he loved to travel to different wineries and sample the varieties of wines. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his social personality, terrific sense of humor, but most of all his ability to love unconditionally.
He is survived by his daughter, Callie (Zach Wiegel) Kayser of Weston; mother, Grace Kayser (Ralph Werfel) of Huntley, Illinois; sister, Patricia (Michael) Rojek and their children, Erich and Evan, of Lake Zurich, Illinoi; and his fiancée, Sheri Fontana, and her children, Ralph, Holly, and Allie (Lucas Mathson) of Weston. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; his father, Ralph; grandparents from both sides of his family; and by his Best Bud, Eric Rowney.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St., Schofield, WI 54476. Rev. Raymond Connor will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, WI 54476 and again from 10 a.m. on Thursday until the time of service at the church. Interment will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Kronenwetter. A celebration of life will take place at Arrow Sports Club, 6202 Schofield Ave., Weston, following the interment.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Linda Guensburg
Linda M. Guensburg, 64, of Weston passed away at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Monday, July 8, 2019, after a long and courageous battle following a kidney transplant in 2004.
Linda was born Sept. 4, 1954, in Wausau to the late Frank and Agnes (Hable) Prelipp. She married Steven Guensburg on Dec. 28, 1984.
Linda worked as a cashier at the IGA in Schofield and enjoyed the people she would meet. She also loved crocheting, crossword puzzles and feeding birds. She took great care of her pet cats and cherished spending time with her grandchildren.
Linda is survived by her husband, Steven; daughter, Lisa (Aaron) Buchberger and their children Jordan and Aimee; son, Matthew Guensburg and his son, Carson; siblings, Kathy (Dennis) VanProoyen and Robert (Vicki) Prelipp; mother-in-law, Mildred Guensburg; brother-in-law, John (Sue) Guensburg; sisters-in-law, Judy Haag (Roger) and Rebecca (Daniel) Maly; nieces, Tammy (Scott), Sue (Bob), Chrissy, Ronnda; and nephews, Steven (Annie) and TeeJay. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, James; and father-in-law, John.
Funeral service will be held at noon on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, WI 54476. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Linda’s family wishes to acknowledge their special friends, Pete (Judy) Wyland for Pete’s selfless gift of life; donating his kidney to Linda.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Charlotte Furst
Charlotte Ann Furst entered the loving arms of her Savior on Thursday, July 4, 2019, at Rennes Health and Rehab, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services, at the age of 75.
She was born on Feb. 18, 1944, in Winona, Minnesota, to the late Edgar and Elda (Korn) Luehmann. She met the love of her life, Douglas Furst, in high school, and they were married on Aug. 20, 1966, in St. Charles, Minnesota. Throughout her life, she worked as a nurse for Mayo Clinic, Wausau Hospital and ENT Associates.
Char was a loving, caring and supporting wife, mother and friend. She was also a caring and dedicated nurse. She enjoyed crafting and excelled at creating baby blankets for almost everyone she knew. Char found value in supporting her church, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, and her community. Socializing was her specialty. Her great smile and kind, generous heart made her a loyal friend. Doug and Char enjoyed their time with their circle of friends in El Mirage, Arizona.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Doug Furst, Rothschild; daughter, Heather (David) Powers and their children, Elizabeth, Scarlett, and Henry, Weston; son, Corey (Brenda) Furst and their daughter, Samantha, Victoria, Minnesota; siblings Allan (Mary) Luehmann, Nancy (Tim) Reilley, and Bruce (Pam) Luehmann. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2019, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St., Schofield. Rev. Lance Hoelscher and Rev. Raymond Connor will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 12, and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday; all at the church. Private interment will be held at Restlawn Memorial Park.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Timothy Rice
Timothy L. Rice, 59, of Wausau died on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at his home.
Tim was born on Nov. 22, 1959, in Wausau to the late Harold and Bertha (Olson) Rice. He married Debbie (Eckel) Rice. Tim was proud to serve his country in the U.S. Army and National Guard. He was also a member of the American Legion. His strong love of country, along with his respect of the flag, served as a core foundation of his life.
Tim was blessed with many passions and talents. Restoration of homes and furniture was a life long journey. He was a creative artist, sharing his creations with family and friends. Tim loved being outdoors and thought a day in the yard planting and taking care of his garden was a perfect day! He also enjoyed the beauty of nature while trout fishing. Tim’s greatest joy was the love of his family and friends, whom he cherished.
Tim and Debbie were blessed with two children, Michael (Brianna) Rice and Ashley (Mike Witberler) Rice and grandchildren Sterling, Ryleigh, Gracie, Bridge and Brighem. He is further survived by his aunt Deloris (Tootie) Rice; and siblings Jim (Barb) Rice, LeRoy Rice, Edith “Candy” (Scott) Tessmer, Randy (Jennie) Rice, Debbie (Mike) Rice, Jeff (Jeanne) Rice, and Sara (David) Farrar.
Tim is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Bertha Rice, and brothers Harold Rice Jr. and Andrew Rice.
Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church, 709 Sixth St., Wausau. The Rev. Steven Gjerde will officiate. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tim’s memory to Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk, 8529 County Highway D, Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539
David Neuner
David G. Neuner, 61, of Weston, Wisconsin, died July 2, 2019.
David was handed the enormous challenge of cancer, which he fought diligently and without complaint, always remaining hopeful.
David was born in Southern California and is survived by his wife Jennifer (Gray) and David’s two greatest accomplishments, his children Zachary (fiancée Keri) and Mackenzie. He is also survived by his parents, George Neuner (Helen), Donna Russell (Richard), brother Steven Neuner (Jennifer), sister Valerie Neuner (Greg) and his aunt and uncle Betty and John Hembrook. David also had the support of many loving in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and life-long friends.
David provided for his family by working in the information technology field as a senior software developer. His professional career in Wausau began with Wausau Insurance in 1996. He remained a loyal employee throughout several company changes and transitions. His most current employment was with UnitedHealth Group.
David was a kind, thoughtful and patient man. He was always willing to share his knowledge with anyone who wanted to learn. He was a self-taught jack-of-all-trades. If he didn’t know how to do something, he would do the research and gather the resources to figure it out. He was organized, meticulous and never cut corners. His family and friends would say, it’s “Neuner-built” referring to the quality of his work.
David cherished spending time with his family which always came first. He indulged his children in music and travel, and created fabulous (sometimes crazy) experiences for them to fondly remember. David experienced the most joy when he was either on or near the water. His beloved boat, the NICKEL B, allowed him to fish the Pacific and more recently the pristine waters of Lake Superior. Family camping adventures on the Apostle Islands became a yearly ritual. He shared his love of fishing and scuba diving with his children. At times we would tire from all the prep work it would take to plan a trip, and David would remind us, “It takes a lot of work to have fun!” A lot of fun we did have.
Celebrations of David’s life will take place on the Pacific Ocean and Lake Superior, surrounded by family and friends. We wish to give our heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff of the Marshfield Weston Cancer Center and the Ascension at Home Ministry Hospice team for their incredible guidance and support for our entire family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hope Lodge in Marshfield, Wisconsin; 715-486-9100; [email protected]. The home-like facility provides free lodging for patients and family members during cancer treatments.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Eldora Giese
Eldora Mae Giese passed peacefully after her battle with cancer surrounded by her family and friends on Thursday, July 4, 2019, under the care of the Aspirus Wausau Hospital nursing staff.
She was born Nov. 20, 1936, to the late Llewellyn and Mabel (Gresens) Brandt. On May 31, 1958, she married the late Gordon Giese at St. John Lutheran Church in Rib Falls. Eldora and Gordon were blessed with five children.
Eldora enjoyed cooking for the family during the holidays and playing cards. She also enjoyed taking trips to the casino, watching the Brewers and Packers games and traveling with her children. She was devoted to taking care of her family and providing her loving support to all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Eldora was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Rib Falls.
Eldora is survived by three daughters, Chris (David) Hart, Athens, Deb Heil, Wausau, Char(Eric) Hack, Edgar; two sons, Steve Giese, Edgar, and Warren (Heidi) Giese, Mosinee; brother Clifford (Joyce) Brandt, Wausau; brother-in-law Earl (Shirley) Giese, Denver, Colorado; 12 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by siblings Jerry (Helen) Brandt, Kenneth Brandt, Dennis Brandt; grandchildren David and Korey Hart, and Kyle Giese, and a son-in-law, Gary Heil.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church, Rib Falls, with a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Terry Reich will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Peterson Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Krueger Floral ‘N Gifts are providing flowers for the family; or memorials may be directed to the family for a donation to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Wausau Manor and Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their compassionate care of Eldora during the days she spent in their care.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Joy Strey
Joy Ann (Kluessendorf) Strey, 72, of Wausau died on Friday, July 5, 2019, after a long illness.
Joy was born on Nov. 21, 1946, to the late Fred and Dorothy Kluessendorf in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She graduated from Waukesha High School in 1965. She was married to Lowell Strey from December 1967 until his passing earlier this year.
Joy was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell, and her son Carl.
She is survived by her daughter Stacy and two brothers, Joel and Jerry Kluessendorf.
No services are planned.
Peterson/Kraemer is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
