Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Edwin “Ed” Zagzebski
Edwin “Ed” Zagzebski, 83, of Schofield peacefully passed away with his family by his side Thursday afternoon, July 11, 2019.
Ed was born Dec. 23, 1935, to Alice and Edwin Zagrzebski of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He graduated from Maryheart High School in Pittsville. He was a talented athlete in high school but was also taught that responsibilities to his family must be his first priority. His parents allowed Ed to participate in football and basketball only when his potato harvesting duties on the family farm were complete. Ed went on to receive a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting from St. Norbert College. God introduced Ed to his beloved wife of 61 years, Jeanette (Hamele), when he was recovering from minor surgery in the same hospital in which Jeanette worked as a nursing student. Jeanette offered her new patient a back rub, setting into motion a lifetime of tender demonstrations of love for one another. They were wed in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Stevens Point on June 14, 1958, and have inspired family and friends by their love of and dedication to each other since that day.
Ed began his professional career in Marshfield, Wisconsin, as an accountant at Weyhauser Co. In 1966, he accepted an executive position with Gould /Marathon Battery Co., relocating his family to the D.C. Everest area, where he has remained a resident and community leader until this day. Ed next entered the banking industry in 1970 as vice president of First American National Bank and was eventually promoted to president and chief operating officer of Central Wisconsin Bankshares. Ed played a key role in growing the holding company to 29 banks. After “retirement,” he re-engaged in banking, participating in the development of two Wausau community banks. He also served as a director for the Volm Bag Co. (Antigo) for the past 25 years — a position that brought him both professional fulfillment, as well as treasured friendships.
Ed demonstrated his commitment to community service in myriad ways throughout his life. He served on numerous committees, nonprofit groups, and state of Wisconsin appointments. He spent countless hours coaching youth athletics, combining two of his passions—sports and developing the character of youths. Ed was appointed by Governor Thompson to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Board of Directors, where he served for 14 years. He proudly served as president of the Wausau Country Club, leading several projects, including the clubhouse reconstruction. A few of Ed’s many acknowledgements include Everest Metro Police recognition for 25 years of service, Schofield City Council recognition for community service, Lutheran Social Services Leadership award and being honored as Outstanding Young Man of America and Outstanding Young Man in Wausau. Ed was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. Agnes parish. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus and served on various parish committees and Catholic Diocese of LaCrosse projects.
Throughout his life, Ed was active in many sports. He was strategic and highly competitive in everything he did. He played softball, touch football, racquetball and golf for many years and later in life discovered the enjoyment of pickleball. Ed, along with his brother Ralph, were instrumental in bringing the game of pickleball to the Wausau area. He and Jeanette dedicated much of their time to family activities—seldom missing any event or occasion to get together. He loved anything sports related, especially when his children or grandchildren, the Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Cardinals or Wisconsin Badgers were involved.
Ed was recognized by all who knew him as a man of honor with extraordinary God-given gifts and talents. He possessed a brilliant mind and tirelessly gave of himself to help others. He lived life with exuberance and enjoyed conversations with best friends as well as people he just met. Everyone who knew him enjoyed being with him and has his or her own story to share about his wit and wisdom. He was a role model, mentor, friend and the rock on which many leaned for support. Ed looked for and found the good in everyone.
In addition to his beloved wife, Jeanette, Ed is survived by his five children—Connie (Ken) Zebro of Wausau, Ken (Mary) Zagzebski of Indianapolis, Indiana, Dan (Dana) Zagzebski of Cleveland, Ohio, Steve (Kary) Zagzebski of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Pam Zagzebski of Blaine, Minnesota—15 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Marilyn (Bill) Heilman, Marge (Casmir) Bernas, Ralph (Rita) Zagrzebski, David (Barb) Zagrzebski, Ted Zagrzebski, Linda Kight and sister-in-law Virginia Zagrzebski.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughters Julia Zagzebski and Amanda Zebro, brothers Richard and Conrad Zagrzebski, sister-in-law Janice Zagrzebski and many of his close friends and relatives.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 6101 Zinser St., Weston, WI 54476. The Rev. Greg Bohren will officiate. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again on Tuesday, July 16, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service; all at the church. A police honor guard will be in attendance. Interment will follow at St. Agnes Parish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Everest Metro Police Department, D.C. Everest Gridiron Club or St Agnes Catholic Church. Each organization will select a project in Ed’s honor.
“For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.” Grantland Rice
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Dora Olson
Dora (Keresztessy) Olson, 77, of Weston passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 201,9 at her home.
Dora was born to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Sandor) Keresztessy on March 3, 1942, in Budapest, Hungary. She emigrated to the United States as a young woman, where she attended and graduated from Wausau High School. She was first married to Howard Stieber, with whom she had two daughters, and was later and most recently married to Wayne Olson on June 12, 1976.
Dora worked early on as a nurse’s aide at Sunnyvale Infirmary and then as a unit/ward clerk for Mount View Care Center in Wausau until her retirement. She loved animals (especially all of her canine family members over the years, namely Duke, Duchess, Snooks, Sassy, Emma and Ella Bella Boo-Bear). She had a great love of almost all kinds of music, and she especially enjoyed playing the piano, covering the classics like Beethoven, as well as her own compositions. She loved watching football, especially the Green Bay Packers. Summer was her favorite season and she loved soaking up the summer sunshine. She also enjoyed traveling on occasion.
Dora is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Wayne; her daughters Linda Stieber and Jackie Freeman, her grandsons Timothy Salentine, Matthew Cole and Jeffrey Young II, and her great-grandchildren Madelyn and Ryan Cole. She is further survived her mother-in-law, Anita Olson, her sister-in-law Yolanda (James) Voigt and many and various extended family members in Wisconsin and abroad.
A memorial gathering for Dora will be held from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, Wisconsin. Brainard Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Winifred “Winnie” Kaas
Winifred “Winnie” Kaas. 96, Appleton, formerly of Wausau, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019, under the care of Ascension Hospice at Willow Lane Assisted Living, Appleton.
Winifred Kaas was born on June 4, 1923, in Moorland, Iowa, daughter of the late James and Florence (Sheker) Harbacheck. She graduated from Moorland High School in 1940 and was further educated at Tobin Business College, Fort Dodge, Iowa. She married Albert Kaas June 9, 1949, and lived in Newton, Iowa. They moved to Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1963.
Winnie was an administrative assistant in health services at the former Wausau Insurance Co. and retired after 20 years. She held offices in the Wausau Chapter of AARP, American Legion Auxiliary, and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sorority.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Tricia (David) Holcomb, Nicollet, Minnesota; Mary (Gregory) Schnelle, Oregon, Wisconsin; Jim (Mary Jane) Kaas, Appleton, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Anna (Dan) Diebel, Kaitlin (Keith) Forst, Andrea (Weston) Pernsteiner, Allison (Mike) Delzer, Briana (Steffen) Peterson, Collen Lies (spouse of Grant Schnelle), Chelsey (fiancé Bennett Heinz) Kaas, 13 great-grandchildren, brother Jim Harbacheck, Moorland, Iowa, and nieces and nephews.
Winnie was preceded in death by husband, Albert, her parents, brother Matt Harbacheck, sister Rachel O’Hern, grandson Grant Schnelle, and her in-laws and their spouses.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2019, at The Church of St. Anne, Wausau. The Rev. Tom Lindner will preside. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until the time of church service. Entombment will be in Christus Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the family, for a memorial in Winnie’s honor. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
The family would like to thank the Neuro floor staff and doctors at St. Elizabeth Hospital for the wonderful care Winifred received. We would also like to thank the Ascension Hospice Nurses and would especially like to thank the staff at Willow Lane for making Winnie feel cared for, loved and important. Countless cherished memories will forever stay in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Irene M. Goetsch, 89, passed away on July 12, 2019, at Cedar Creek Manor in Mosinee, Wisconsin.
Irene was born in Chicago on March 6, 1930, to Gustav and Viola (Pankow) Schleif. She was the middle child of three with an older brother, Elmer and a younger sister, Elaine. She married Milfred Goetsch on Oct. 25, 1952. They had six children.
Irene was employed by Marathon County and worked with the maintenance department for a number of years. She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where she enjoyed volunteering and working with Orphan Grain Train.
Irene enjoyed camping, knitting, word games and making puzzles. She will be missed greatly for her sarcastic humor, fondness of sweets and the love for her family.
She is survived by her children Darrell (Mary) Goetsch, Anita Tritten (Mike) Waldron, Randy Goetsch, Jean (Mike) Ryon, Jamie Goetsch, nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, her brother Elmer Schleif and extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Milfred, son Bryan, sister Elaine Leight.
The Goetsch family would like to express our appreciation to the staff at Cedar Creek Manor for the kind and compassionate care they provided our mother during the time she resided there.
Funeral services will be at noon on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Rev. Bruce Lamont will officiate. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 16, at Helke Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.; resuming on Wednesday at 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas.
Leila Dirks
Let us celebrate the life lived by Leila E. Dirks, 96, of Wausau who peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at Lakeview Heights surrounded by her loving family.
Leila was born on Oct. 17, 1922, in Shawano County to the late William and Hedwig (Stuewer) Richter. Leila graduated from Bonduel High School. Leila married Oscar Dirks, the love of her life, (who passed away on Jan. 21, 2016) on Feb. 7, 1942, in Bonduel. Leila worked as a nurse’s aide/CNA for many years and as a social worker assistant at Mt. View Manor.
Leila enjoyed playing cards, camping, baking pies and cookies, but most of all being with family.
Leila is survived by her children, Ken (Jean), Tomahawk, Justine (Robert) Stolze, Ringle, Ronald (Suzanne), Wausau, Nancy (Mark) Loker, Stoughton, Diane (Mark) Blume, Marathon, Dan, Wausau, and Annette (Patrick) Krautkramer, Marathon, and 17 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren, two step granddaughters and a step great-great-grandson.
Leila was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her grandson, Jeremy, sister Mildred Buboltz and brother-in-law, Arnold Buboltz.
The funeral service for Leila Dirks will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marathon, with the Rev. Jon Hadler officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. on Tuesday until service time at the church. Interment will be in St. Matthew Lutheran cemetery next to her husband.
Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Lutheran Church memorial fund, Northland Lutheran High School or The Alzheimer’s Association.
Leila’s family would like to express their extreme gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Lakeview Heights for their compassionate care for Mom, especially in her final hours.
Helke Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sandra Zick-Boehme
Sandra M. Zick-Boehme, 83, Wausau, passed away on July 10, 2019, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Sandra was born June 9, 1936, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to the late Arnold and Ruth (Schroeder) Kell. She married the late, William (Bill) Zick on Feb. 15, 1958. He preceded her in death on Aug. 3, 2002. She married Carl Boehme on April 27, 2007. He survives.
During her life she worked at Wausau Insurance, Wausau Hospital-Radiology Dept., JC Penney and Morath Dental Office.
Sandra was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and sang in the choir.
She was always very inquisitive about all our family members and the welfare of everyone.
In addition to her second husband, Carl, survivors include three sons and one daughter, Mark (Kathy) Zick, David (Carla) Zick, Rodney (Rhonda) Zick, Joy Selting-Buchberger, all from Wausau; two brothers, Delmar (Mary) Kell, Midland, Michigan, and Luther (Pam) Kell, Auburn Hills, Michigan, and two sisters, Jean Dorn who preceded her in death, Beverly (Roy) Lange from White Lake, Michigan, two brothers-in-law, Ted and Steve (Connie) Zick, one sister-in-law, Paulette Becker, 10 nieces and nephews, of which two are deceased (Steven Dorn and Christopher Becker), and four grandchildren, Willy Zick, Ashley Zick, Matt Selting and Kylie Buchberger. Sandra is also survived by one stepson John (Susan) Boehme and one step daughter Betty (Rick) Diehl.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday July 16, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Rev. Holdorf will officiate with interment at Restlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, followed by committal at Restlawn Cemetery and lunch after at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau WI 54401. Friends may sign the family guest book at helke.com.
Deanna Wagner
Deanna Mae Wagner, 80, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away on Friday, July 12, 2019, at Cranberry Court in Wisconsin Rapids.
The funeral service was held at 12:45 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2019, at the John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 631 East Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Burial followed in Pioneer Cemetery, town of Saratoga. Visitation for family and friends was held at the funeral home on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of services.
