Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Leonard Filiatreaux
Leonard O. Filiatreaux, beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather died peacefully at Copperleaf Assisted Living in Marathon, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, with his family by his side.
Len was born March 13, 1927, in Wausau to Leonard and Margaret Filiatreaux. He graduated from Wausau High School in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. He was stationed in the Philippines. Upon returning home, he began his 40-year career at the original Employers Mutual of Wausau. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1948, Len married Phyllis Costa, the love of his life. Phyllis preceded him in death on July 24, 2011. Len was one of the founding members of the Rib Mountain Bowmen and was active in it for many years. Len was also an avid runner and participated in many marathons.
Len is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Craig and Becky Filiatreaux and their children Emily (Mike Fallon) and their daughter Murphy, Reid (Addison) Filiatreaux and their son Leonard; and his daughter and son-in-law Colette and Bill Wunsch and their children Anna and Meghan. He is also survived by his brother Bob and sister-in-law Barb Filiatreaux of Idaho, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
Besides Phyllis, Len was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Julius and Bessie Costa, sister Germaine Sullivan, brother-in-law Dave Sullivan, sister-in-law Shirley Kuehl and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Denise Costa.
The family would like to invite friends for a gathering in Len’s memory between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St., Wausau.
We would like to thank everyone at Copperleaf Assisted Living for their kindness and support and for treating each resident with dignity, respect and a sense of humor. And thank you to Heather Ward and Adriana Gomez for creating a loving family atmosphere for their residents and their families. A special heartfelt thank you to Anna, Len’s granddaughter and special caregiver. We appreciate everything you did. We would also like to thank Mary from Aspirus Hospice for her excellent care of Len and us.
Len loved his family and will forever be in our hearts.
Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave online condolences, please visit www.brainardfuneral.com.
Benedict Ziolkowski
Benedict L. Ziolkowski, 87 and 1/2, of 4002 Kinglet Circle, Wausau, Wisconsin, died peacefully at his care facility on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 22, at St. Anne Church, 700 West Bridge St., Wausau, Wisconsin. Father Tom Lindner will officiate. Burial will take place at the St. Ladislaus Cemetery in Bevent, Wisconsin. Visitation will take place at Brainard Funeral Home, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, Wisconsin, on Sunday, July 21, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at St. Anne Church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Monday.
Ben was born on Jan. 15, 1932, in the town of Sharon, Wisconsin, to Joseph and Victoria (Strosin) Ziolkowski. He married Gladys R. Yenter on May 23, 1953, at St. Adelbert’s Church in Alban, Wisconsin. They were married for 28 years and had 10 children together before Gladys died of cancer at the age of 46 on Dec. 3, 1981. Ben later married Faith C. Hope on Feb. 12, 1983. They were married for 16 years before Faith died of cancer at the age of 65 on April 1, 1999. Ben resided with his friend Doris E. Erdmann for the past 14 years at their home in Rib Mountain.
Ben is survived by his five sons, Chris (Gale) Ziolkowski of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Brian (Pam) Ziolkowski of Hatley, Wisconsin, Jim (Diana) Ziolkowski of Hatley, Wisconsin, Ben Ziolkowski of Schofield, Wisconsin, Cory (Glenda) Ziolkowski of Davenport, Iowa, four daughters, Debbie (Ron) Wanta of Hatley, Wisconsin, Lynn (Steve) Kizewski of Wausau, Wisconsin, Lisa Wanta of Hatley, Wisconsin, Teri Tranetzke of Neenah, Wisconsin, 30 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, two wives Gladys and Faith, one daughter, Lori, one grandchild, Derek Kizewski, six brothers, Joe, Harry, Myron, Victor, Nick and Sylvester, and four sisters, Adeline, Cecilia, Grace and Sally.
Ben was a hard-working dairy farmer and logger in both the town of Sharon and the town of Reid. He also worked at Preway Inc. in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, for 10 years and Greenheck Fan Corp. of Schofield, Wisconsin, for 10 years. Upon retirement, Ben became a professional camper. Throughout his life, Ben was very loving and generous to his children and their families. He was affectionally known to them as Papa Bear and Grandpa Bear. He will be deeply missed.
Brainard Funeral Home- Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Patrick “Snipe” Neupert
Patrick J. “Snipe” Neupert, 72, of Wausau died Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born June 17, 1947, in Neenah, son of the late Leonard and Esther (Krohn) Neupert.
For more than 40 years, Snipe was a truck driver in the Wausau area. He began his career with LB Trucking, later retiring from Advanced Disposal.
He was active with model railroading, enjoyed hunting and fishing and found great joy spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include one brother, Robert (Wendi) Neupert, Rothschild, and their son, Raymond Neupert, Madison, Patrick’s daughter, Rebecca (Michael) Tuley, Wausau, and her children, Emily and Caleb Tuley, Wausau, and his former wife, Wendy Jones and member of the Jones family who loved him like a brother/uncle.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Daniel Smith and his uncle and aunt, Ray and Jewel Neupert.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 28, 2019, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Rib Mountain. The Rev. Jenn Collins will officiate. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of services, all at the church.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Snipe’s name. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Theodore Radtke
Theodore Radtke, 94, was born March 6, 1925, in Wausau, son of the late Emil and Elsie (Marquardt) Radtke and passed away on July 17, 2019. He married Dorothy Kapellen on Oct. 16, 1954, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, town of Wausau.
Theodore and Dorothy dairy farmed in the town of Texas. In addition, Ted worked for Greenheck Fan for 28 years and retired at the age of 70. He also served as assessor for the town of Texas and on the board for the Pure Milk Co-op. Ted was a veteran of the United States Navy and served from 1946 to 1949 on the USS New Jersey. One of his proudest moments was when he was able to go on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in April 2016 with his son Robert as his guardian. He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing with his sons, especially at Big Green Lake for lake trout and Upper Michigan for walleyes. He could often be found spending time and working in the woods on his property.
Ted is survived by his wife, Dorothy Radtke and eight children, Keith Radtke, Steve (Linda) Radtke, Scott (Lori) Radtke, Tom (Sharon) Radtke, Sue (Arlo) Prahl, Linda (Michael) Maher, all of Wausau, Dennis (Maribeth) Radtke, Tampa, Florida, and Robert (Joanie) Radtke, Weston; 15 grandchildren, Philip and Tony Prahl, Katie (Prahl) Van Schyndel, Michael, John and Mary Maher, Amanda (Radtke) Grueneberg, Heather (Radtke) Daniels, Travis, Erik, Megan, Alex, Sabrina, Derek and Danielle Radtke and 10 great-grandchildren; many other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Fred, Carl and John Radtke and sisters, Leona Lee, Esther Kamke, Margaret Dutkowski and Arlene Radtke. He was also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Sandy (Kalinke) Radtke.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. Russell Kampfer will officiate. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, where full military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post No. 10, Wausau. Visitation will be Tuesday from noon until the time of services, all at the Sixth Street funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
John Day
John F. Day, 76, Adams, died Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born Jan. 21, 1943, in Sioux City, Iowa, son of the late John H. and Grace (Randall) Day. On March 6, 1971, he married Georgia Scheil in Nebraska. he preceded him in death on July 2, 2018.
John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Prior to his retirement, John had been employed with Jostens and related companies as an engraver. His hobbies included gardening, barbequing, camping, rock collecting and polishing, fixing and building anything, stained glass and going to the movies. He loved cherry ice cream, hot fudge sundaes, learning about science and nature, feeding the squirrels, the Minnesota Vikings, and watching the nightly news and his favorite TV shows.
Survivors include two children, Eve Day, Sparta, Wisconsin, and Brian (Dr. Michelle Sweet) Day, Elmhurst, Illinois, two grandchildren, Zachary and Joshua; three sisters, Sandra Sassaman and Kathy (Melvin) L’Heureux, of Wisner, Nebraska, and Annette Layne, Texas.
The Day family would like to thank the staff at Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Aspirus UW Cancer Center and Aspirus Wausau Hospital for all of the great care and support shown to John and the Day family.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Audrey Whippler
Audrey Jean Whippler, 77, of Wausau passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital with her loving family by her side.
She was born in Wausau on Nov. 30, 1941, to the late Julius and Alice (Reetz) Mueller. She married Richard Whippler at St. Therese on Feb. 11, 1961.
Audrey worked in the kitchen for over 20 years at Wausau Insurance. She enjoyed going to State Park Speedway and watching the stock car races, camping, going to the casino, fishing, family gatherings and some traveling. Most important to Audrey were her family. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Audrey is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard; her children, Scott, Ronald (Darlene), Bobby (Juelle) Whippler, and Jacqueline (Curtis) Kerstner; eight grandchildren, Stephanie and Cole Kerstner, Noah Whippler, Josh, John and Jesse Modrzejewski, Brian Frankfourth and Ronnie Whippler; two great-granddaughters, Monica and McKenzie; two sisters, Deanna Syring and Donna Pflieger; as well as nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Audrey was preceded in death by her two brothers-in-law, Gary Syring and Edward Pflieger.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Pastor Tim Swanson will officiate. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 22, 2019, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of services; all to take place at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery. Visit helke.com to sign the family guestbook.
Nina Buckman
Nina M. Buckman, 94, of Weston, formerly of Ringle, passed away on July 16, 2019. Services for Nina will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church at 169950 Chapel St., Ringle, with Pastor Glenn Seefeldt officiating.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at 11:30 a.m.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
