Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Diane Reinicke
Diane (Zastrow) Reinicke, 66, Harshaw, formerly of Wausau, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a short, but very courageous battle with leukemia.
She was born Jan. 6, 1953, in Wausau, daughter of the late William and Elnore (Juedes) Zastrow. On Nov. 10, 1972, she married Russell Reinicke in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He survives.
Family was the center of Diane’s world. She loved being with her two grandchildren, spending time with family up at the lake and shopping with her sisters. Most importantly, Diane was always there to support her family, willing to drop anything to extend a helping hand. Diane also enjoyed testing her luck at the casino and playing poker with friends. She had a creative gift, with an eye for decorating, making crafts and growing beautiful flowers. She was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, unless they were losing! Diane will be remembered for her adventurous nature, always willing to try something new and living her life to the fullest.
Diane will be dearly missed by her loving husband of 46 years, Russell; three sons, Jeremy Reinicke, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Joshua (Kristin) Reinicke, Wausau, and Wade (Amber) Reinicke, Wausau; two grandchildren, Grace and Everett; five siblings, Karen Pergolski, Weston, Debbie (Russ) Wadzinski, Tomahawk, Barry (Sue) Zastrow, Wausau, Luann (Ralph) Sliwicki, Schofield, and Allen (Lisa) Zastrow, Aniwa; her mother-in-law, Harriet Reinicke, Harshaw; four sisters-in-law, Peggy (Keith) Kroening, Wausau, LouAnn Reinicke, Wausau, Chris (Terry) Tress, Harshaw, and Debbie Reinicke, Wausau; many special nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog Billy.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her father-in-law, George Reinicke; and two brothers-in-law, Jim and Tom Reinicke.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2019, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. Rev. Gail Sowell will officiate.
Memorials may be directed to Diane’s family for a memorial fund being established in her memory.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Patricia “Pat” Gauger
Patricia “Pat” Mae Gauger, 83, Rothschild, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019, and joined the love of her life, Jack, in heaven.
She was born Dec. 12, 1935, in the town of Cassel, the eldest of six children, to Edward and Edna “Ewert” Novitzke. On May 22, 1954, she married John “Jack” Gauger in Wausau. He preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 2018.
Pat worked at St. Mary’s Hospital for several years until 1953, then at Marathon Battery for several years. Then she raised her family as a stay-at-home mom. Pat was an Avon representative from 1970 to 1973. Then she worked at Fanny Farmer candies from 1976 to 1984. She loved working at Fanny Farmer. Pat began bowling in 1951 at the age of 16, and continued until 1999. She was very proud of the numerous trophies she won. Due to back problems, she regrettably had to quit bowling.
Pat loved being up at their cabin in Harshaw from May 1 to Oct. 1. She planted flowers and had statuettes of children and animals among the flowers. She also had chipmunks in the garden and they would run up to you for treats. She enjoyed the company of many friends and relatives who stayed and spent time with her and Jack at the cabin.
Pat enjoyed her trips to Mexico with Jack and their many trips to Las Vegas. Her trips to many, many states with her friend Jean were memorable.
Pat belonged to the Women of the Moose since 1989, and was senior regent in 2003 to 2004.
Pat also thinks of her sister Jan as special, as Jan was always there for her.
Among her favorite pastimes, she loved to play cribbage and was known to her family and friends as the “Cribbage Queen.” She also enjoyed collecting wolves, frogs and porcelain dolls.
Pat’s great love for her children was all consuming. She was proud to become a grandmother at age 39 and a great-grandmother at age 59. She was always there for all of them, never judging and always supporting them.
Survivors include three children, Tom (Debbie Weichert) Gauger, Kronenwetter, Julie (Mike) Gauger-Burns, Rothschild, and Laura (Dennis) Gauger-Kummerow, Stettin; nine grandchildren, Darren Gauger, Thomas Gauger II, Jolene Fedor, Casey Fedor, Elliot (Teresa) Fedor, Robert Fedor, Jacqulyn Gauger, Brian (Crystal) Bonkoski and Rebecca Bonkoski; 10 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Jan (John) Stieber, Nancy Flory, Sharon (Mike) Wahoske and Sue (Tom) Luetschwager; special friends, Corie and Bob Kettner and Jean Gritzmacher; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Joey; her grandson, John Bonkoski; her brother, Edward Novitzke; two nephews, David Wahoske and Steven Novitzke; and her brother-in-law, Neil Flory.
Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Rev. Julie Goranson will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.at the funeral home. There will be a meal served Thursday evening following services.
Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Gene Stubbe
Gene James Stubbe, 66, Wausau, died Friday, July 19, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Gene was born July 14, 1953, in Wausau to the late Ernest and Irene (Jakubowski) Stubbe. For a time, he worked for the Granite Peak ski hill before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Gene had always been a very active outdoorsman; hiking, camping, fishing and riding his pedal bike through nature. He continued to be as active as he could as the MS slowly took his mobility away from him over the next 20 years.
Gene continued to have a good sense of humor and sought to keep his connection to nature. He carved walking sticks, painting and lacquering them. He also would create art through whatever he found in nature.
Gene is survived by his siblings, Gary (Rose) Stubbe, Earleen (Dennis) Fox, Stephanie (Roger) Neizke and Carol (Gary) Gilles; 17 nieces and nephews and many extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Bette and Richard Lane.
Per Gene’s wishes, there will be no service. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Thomas Harris
Thomas Harris, 79, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, died on July 13 at his home in Wausau.
Thomas was born on March 21, 1940, in Swissvale, Pennsylvania, the son of Yanni Harris and Evangelia (Tsamakis).
Thomas attended Swissvale High School and then became part of the U.S. Air Force.
After leaving the Air Force, Thomas married Rose Marie (DiChira). The couple had two sons, TJ and Timothy Harris.
Thomas spent many years working for ALCOA. Along the way, Thomas had many other vocational endeavors including owning and operating a green house and a carpet cleaning company. Thomas was a funny, witty storyteller who could easily light up a room with his quips. Tom loved to hunt, fish and follow all of his Pittsburgh sports teams. Tom was especially proud of his Greek heritage, frequenting as many Greek food festivals as possible. Tom was a strong believer in Christ and was known for his generosity by supporting many ministries and causes financially.
Tom is survived by his sons, TJ Harris (Robin) of Wausau, Tim Harris (Melissa) of Winfield, Illinois; his sisters, Chris Theodore and Mary Romsberg; his grandchildren, Tyler Mark Harris, Tori Lynn Harris, Toby John Harris and Olivia Rose Harris.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Marie Harris; and his grandson, Noah Timothy Harris.
A wake will be held at Thrive Church Friday, July 26, from 6 p.m. to 8p.m.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
