Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Robert Bruess
Robert (Bob) D. Bruess, 88, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 3, at his home in Wausau, after a long battle with prostate cancer. Bob was born in Wausau on Feb. 4, 1931, to the late Hilmuth and Genevieve (Burger) Bruess. He lived a beautiful life, full of family, joy and laughter. He joined his Lord peacefully, surrounded by the love of his wife and two daughters.
Bob loved his church and was very involved – initially as an altar boy and, later, grilling food at church festivals, counseling couples and delivering communion to shut-ins for decades. He was a long-standing member of the Elks Club and a volunteer with The Neighbors’ Place and The Salvation Army. Bob loved reading, learning, completing crossword puzzles, bowling and golf – once getting a hole-in-one, and enjoyed watching many sports – especially those played by his grandchildren. He had a way with words and the heart of a poet, leaving many in his family with special cards that they will cherish. He also had a delightful sense of humor, seen often by those close to him.
After high school, Bob’s first job was at Winkelman’s Department Store where he designed window displays. His passion for photography and the skills he developed in his home darkroom then led him to work at Eldredge Camera Shop. When approached by WSAU-TV, he jumped at the chance to help Channel 7 go live in 1954. Working with Walter John Chilsen, Bob captured the first live footage on 16mm film, later becoming a director at the station. After that, he worked in sales at Juneau Supply Co. and then as a manager of Napa Auto Parts.
Though Bob served in various roles and helped many people, he was a builder at heart. He helped build houses for friends, built furniture and boxes for those he loved, and he spent countless hours constructing creative solutions for a never-ending array of problems. There was nothing he could not do – and he relished solving problems that were especially challenging. Grounded in his faith and generous with his time and talents, Bob also built a strong network of family and friends who will miss him more than words can express.
Bob leaves behind his beloved wife of 53 years, Arlene (Sobkowiak) Bruess of Wausau and his two children Cheryl (Chris) Perry of Kimberly, Alabam,a and Donna (Scott) Stevenson of Lisbon, Wisconsin. He also leaves five cherished grandchildren – Jesse and Madison Perry and Logan, Justin and Emily Stevenson. Bob is survived by two sisters – Jean (Bruess) Ninnemann and JoAnn (Bruess) Process, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by five siblings: Lyle Bruess, Louise (Bruess) Andrews, John Bruess, Nancy (Bruess) Barden and Doris Bruess. His love for his family was timeless.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to everyone at the Aspirus Regional Cancer Center, especially Dr. Ahuja, and to the wonderful palliative and hospice care providers with Interim Healthcare. They are also grateful for the love of all their wonderful neighbors and friends who helped and prayed for them.
Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at Saint Michael Parish, 611 Stark St., Wausau. Rev. James Schaefer will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can made at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Robert Hoffmann
Robert C. Hoffmann, 84, of Wausau passed away at his home on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.
He was born in the town of Stettin on June 5, 1935, to the late Alfred and Clara (Bartelt) Hoffmann. After graduation, Bob went on to college and earned his degree as an electrical engineer. On Aug. 6, 1956, he was united in marriage to Adeline Schultz in Pine City, Minnesota. Adeline preceded Bob in death on April 17, 2015.
Playing cards and traveling were some things that Bob really enjoyed. He had been to 45 states in the U.S. and had been to Canada. But most important to Bob was his family. He loved his wife and daughter very much. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bob is survived by his daughter, Roseann; his brother, Alfred Jr. (Kewey); and his sister-in-law, Evelyn.
In addition to his wife and parents, Bob was preceded in death by his six siblings.
A funeral service will take place at noon on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Pastor Tim Swanson will officiate. Visitation will take place from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to go to helke.com to sign the family guestbook.
