Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.

Eva Pohjola

Eva Pohjola passed away on August 6, 2019 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Funeral service will be held on at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 930 Edgewood Rd, Wausau, WI 54403. Rev. Kemp Jones will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.

Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com

Clara Smith

Clara R. Smith, 84, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at The Bay at Colonial Manor.

A full obituary will be published at a later date.

Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com

Gilbert Schmidt

Gilbert W. Schmidt, 86, of Wausau passed away on Monday, August 5, 2019 at North Central Health Care Center.

He was born to the late Erwin and Dorothy (Conrad) Schmidt on July 19, 1933 in the Town of Hamburg. He served his country honorably in the United States Army. On July 19, 1958, he married the love of his life, Violet Czech.

Gilbert lived life full of energy. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t try to fix. For more than 30 years, he enjoyed being a semi-driver and in his free time enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at the cottage. After retirement, Gilbert found his passion in wood working, building many treasures for family and friends. He loved to travel with Violet, and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Most important to Gilbert was his family and that they had knowledge of their Savior, Jesus. For more than 60 years he was a faithful member of Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and served on various boards.

Gilbert is survived by his wife of 61 years, Violet; his children, Kim (Todd) Putz, Lynn Schmidt and Daniel (Calico) Schmidt; grandchildren, Meghann (Patrick) Schultz, Jared (Cheyenne) Putz, Kestrel Schmidt and Adler Schmidt; great-grandchildren, Otto and Everett Schultz and Clara Putz; brother, Melvin (Delores) Schmidt; sisters, Audrey Venzke and Delores (Tom) Venzke; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Gilbert was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene; and his brother-in-law, Jim Venzke.

Funeral services will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 9, 2019 at Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church, 703 Flieth Street, Wausau. Pastor Robert Edwards will officiate. Visitation will take place from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 8 at Helke Funeral Home and again from 9:00 AM until the time of service on Friday at the church. Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park. Family and friends may go to helke.com to sign the family guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and School.

Sincere appreciation goes to the nurses and staff of North Central Health Care Evergreen Place for their compassionate care for Gilbert during his final months.