Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Larry Derks
Larry Royce Derks, 81, of Schofield, Wisconsin, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Aug. 8, 2019. Larry passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side. He was born in Warsaw, Illinois, on Feb. 13, 1938, to Royce and Lysbeth (Cramer) Derks and is survived by his wife, Patti, and four children, Rene Braun, Michele (John) Kuhn, Brad (Jenni) Derks, Mark (Jodi) Derks, 11 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He is preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Scott Braun and grandson Christopher Braun.
Larry grew up in central Illinois and upon completing high school, served in the U.S. Army. He was stationed for two years in Germany and served four years in the reserves. He then attended Western Illinois University where he met and married his college sweetheart, Patti Timinsky. He had a long career as director of human resources for J.I. Case, Drott Division, and was well respected in the manufacturing and education communities.
Larry enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family. He loved the great Northwoods and spending time on the lake. He was a skilled builder, enjoyed traveling and was a collector of many things. His biggest love was for his family and the Lord. Larry touched many lives, was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
A celebration of Larry’s life will be held Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1101 Elm St., Wausau, WI 54401. A visitation will start 9:30 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Veterans Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Wisconsin at www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org; Wesley United Methodist Church, 1101 Elm St., Wausau, WI 54401; or Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Aspirus Health Foundation, 425 Pine Ridge Blvd., Wausau, WI 54401
Robert Dustrude
Robert (Bob) Dustrude, 90, passed away peacefully on Aug. 8, 2019, at Care Partners Assisted Living in Schofield.
Bob was born on Nov. 8, 1928, in Beloit, Wisconsin. His early years were spent in Rockford, Illinois, and Beloit, Wisconsin, graduating from Beloit High School in 1946. As a youngster he started to develop the skills of a great host, demonstrating a sense of humor and also as being a cheerleader in junior high school, senior high school and later at Beloit College. His skills in writing were also developed early-on; while at Beloit Sr. High, Bob won a school-wide essay contest, and for one year was proof reader for the school newspaper.
The summer after his senior year of high school, Bob worked as a clerk at a national drug store chain, earning money to attend Beloit College, located across the street from his home. This summer job resulted in receiving the company’s first Wisconsin scholarship to attend pharmacy school. So after attending Beloit College for one year, Bob transferred to the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy, becoming active in his class as class representative, school reporter and publicity director. As the pharmacy school’s reporter, Bob wrote a monthly article for the Wisconsin Druggist magazine for three years. He was also on the JV debate team and the UW speakers’ bureau. After his graduation from the UW in June 1951, Bob became a registered pharmacist.
In 1953, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and attended Hospital Corps School, where he finished as Scholastic Honorman (first in his class). While serving as hospital corpsman, Bob was at various times an ambulance driver and managed the Master Pharmacy of the 9th Naval District. His tour of duty in the Navy ended at Christmastime in 1957.
Following his service in the U.S. Navy, Bob worked as a registered pharmacist at various Wisconsin pharmacies, including Dustrude’s Family Pharmacy, which he owned and operated from 1975 to 2000, before selling the business to Aurora pharmacy. Even after “retiring” in the year 2003, he subsequently worked as a part-time pharmacist for various locations in central Wisconsin. In the entirety of his career, he claimed to have worked in about 30 different pharmacy positions, supporting one of his many jokes, “Some guys just can’t keep a job.”
Activities over the years included joining the Toastmasters clubs in Racine, Wisconsin, and briefly in Wisconsin Rapids. He most enjoyed giving talks to various organizations, including the Wausau Police Department, especially on illicit drugs, and also on subjects such as nutrition and supplements.
Bob was a long-time member of the Wausau Post of the American Legion and the Wausau Elks Lodge. As an Elk member, he was awarded the Elk of the Year certificate and ring (1993-1994) and was the Elks Scholarship chairman for 31 years. In more recent years, he managed the Elks’ six-lane bowling center, having served previously as the league’s secretary, a team captain and team sponsor.
Bob leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, Joyce E. (McKenzie) Dustrude; one son, Mark (Vicki Walker) Dustrude, of Minneapolis; one daughter, Darcy (George) Waldvogel, of Wausau; and younger brother, Thomas (Donna) of Rural Hall, North Carolina. He also leaves six cherished grandchildren, Adam (Lynsi) Waldvogel, Amanda (Bakary) Dao, Jessica (Jim) Schroeter, Catherine, Kevin and Henry Dustrude; two great grandsons, Fletcher Waldvogel and Oliver Schroeter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Theron and Charlotte Dustrude, and three brothers, Merle and Dean Dustrude and Billy Olmstead.
Bob will be remembered and missed by his immediate and extended family and many dear friends for his service to his community, his prescriptions to treat various ailments (many of which were non-medicinal), his sense of humor, skills in writing and speaking, and skills as an excellent host to friends and family far and wide.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Bob’s life on Thursday, Aug. 15, at Brainard Funeral Home in Wausau. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., followed by a Lodge of Sorrow service at 1 by the Wausau Elk’s Club. Burial following the service will be at Restlawn Memorial Park of Wausau, where military honors will be conducted by the American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends to send memorials to the Wausau Elks Club Scholarship Fund, Post #248, 414 Scott St., Wausau, WI 55403
Margaret Carspecken
Margaret L. Repass Carspecken died Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in Wausau, Wisconsin, 8 months shy of her 100th birthday. She was born March 18, 1920, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of the late Fred and Mae (Jennings) Repass.
Margaret Repass attended Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where she met Phil Carspecken. After their first date, she announced to her sister Dorothy that if Phil had asked her that night she would have said “yes” to marrying him. They did marry, on Sept. 13, 1941, in Waterloo, Iowa, and moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Phil was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Waukegan. Margaret worked for Standard Oil in Chicago and delighted in the big city life, taking the El to work, meeting Phil to attend concerts and movies.
Margaret and Phil moved to Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1946 with their daughter Kathleen. Phil chose Wausau, where he’d been captivated by a sunrise view of Rib Mountain (now Granite Peak) from Hammond Park as he and his father were traveling to Canada on a fishing trip. He was hired by Wausau Insurance (then Employers Mutuals of Wausau), where Phil had a successful and creative career as a writer-editor of accident prevention media for the company. They became active in the Newcomers’ Club and also joined the First Universalist Church, Wausau, where over the years Margaret was a member of its board of trustees, Forum discussion group, Evening Circle, UU Women’s Association, “Pack” Book Club and its Caring Committee. Three other children were born in Wausau, and all four survive Margaret and Phil: Kathleen (Pam) Carspecken, Hyde Park, Massachusetts; Christine (Bruce) LePage, Grantsburg, Wisconsin; Phil (Lucinda) Carspecken III, Bloomington, Indiana, and Randy (Dawn) Carspecken, Whitefish, Montana. Also surviving Margaret and Phil are five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Margaret was preceded in death by Phil (2010) and her beloved siblings Dorothy Nordman and Don Repass.
Margaret and Phil’s uncountable gifts to their children included much-anticipated holiday traditions, tennis breakfasts, weekend hikes with their also-loved dogs, regular Wisconsin Northwoods and several Rocky Mountain camping trips, and wonderful creative meals Margaret crafted for her family, expanding her recipes to accommodate changing diets. Her delicious desert bars were legendary. Into each of their warm homes Margaret and Phil welcomed back their deeply loved children each summer and Christmas, topping their generous hosting of family reunions with seven years at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park Colorado and four years at Lost Land Lake Lodge in Hayward, Wisconsin. Family reunions were always rich with celebration, good conversation and strong coffee.
Margaret’s professional post child-rearing career began as a reporter for the Wausau Daily Record Herald, first writing the obituary pages (may we embody her lively spirit in this obituary!) then becoming a reporter with her own weekly gig, the Teen Page, guiding high school students as junior reporters. After five newspaper years her next 11 were as a teachers’ aide in Wausau’s hearing-impaired department at Grant School where she learned to sign and help deaf students. She formed life-long friendships with many Grant colleagues.
Her volunteer work included the Community Recycling Center and Meals on Wheels and her caring touch extended to Wausau shut-ins, with Margaret’s children often accompanying her in visits to isolated community members. She participated in a lively book group well into her 90s. Among her main enthusiasms were biking, especially with the Biking Vikings, she and Phil among the original founders. UU couples and others planned trips, first training in Wisconsin then launching to distant points, including the San Juan Islands, Nova Scotia, the hills of Vermont, Martha’s Vineyard off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Germany, France and a barge trip down the Rhine. They were avid water exercisers, dubbing their crowd the Waterbugs, enjoying their workouts and the socializing at the coffee shop on Third Street. They attended many Elderhostels (a favorite in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin), often combining with visits to their children in Massachusetts, Texas, Indiana and Montana.
Perhaps among Margaret’s most notable qualities was her steadfast communication with family, relatives and friends and even volunteering to write notes to overseas military personnel. She dubbed herself “Margaret Card-Specken” and was our main reference for important dates, especially birthdays and anniversaries. Her welcome emails to her “Fabulous Four” children came nearly weekly until her very last days. She always worked at being cheerful and uncomplaining despite becoming more and more uncomfortable with a body that was “old, old, old … .” She “peacefully died, just slowly stopped breathing with a beautiful calm expression on her face, in a place her family surrounded with love” wrote Christine who, with her husband, Bruce, were with her at that moment.
We are happy for Mom. She enjoyed a rich, full life that had some difficult and many joyful moments, growing along with her family in wisdom and thoughtfulness. We love you forever dear Mom!
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 24, 2019, at First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau, 504 Grant St., Wausau. The Rev. Brian Mason will officiate. Visitation, also at the church, will be held 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Assisting the family with arrangements is Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Margaret’s name may be directed to:
First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau, 504 Grant St, Wausau, WI 54403
The Neighbors’ Place, 745 Scott St., Wausau, WI 54403; http://neighborsplace.org/get-involved/donate/
Online condolences may be sent to www.brainardfuneral.com.
Louis Kraus Jr.
Louis Adolph Kraus, 88, of Wausau entered into our heavenly father’s gate Aug. 10, 2019.
He was born March 26, 1931, to Louis and Agnes (Gemskie) Kraus of Rozellville. Louie was one of 16 children.
He met the true love of his life, Dorothy (Leick), while attending dances at his family’s ballroom. They married on Wednesday, Nov, 14, 1951, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stratford, Wisconsin, during a large snowstorm. Their love and joy for life only blossomed and grew from that point forward. This year they would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.
Louie was deployed to Korea shortly after the wedding and, while on his way overseas, they welcomed their first daughter into this world. He was a communication specialist in the U.S. Army and was discharged as SGT 1st Class. He held various jobs around Marshfield, Milwaukee and Wausau in his early years, then he opened and operated his own business, Kraus Sheet Metal. He retired as a sheet metal worker with Mid-State Contracting of Wausau. He was a proud father to eight beautiful children, and a loving grandfather to 15 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren (soon to be 18), four step great-grandchildren and one step-great-great-grandchild.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy, children Karen (Barney) Mueller of Fenwood, Diane (Jim) Bohman of Stratford, Janet Fischer of Weston, Louis (Patti) Kraus of Wausau, Bob (Margaret) Kraus of Sun Praire, Darlene (Dale) Krzanowski of Edgar, Gloria (Jack) Stencil of Wausau, Duane Kraus of Wausau; grandchildren, Chris (Tina) Mueller, Renee Mueller, Jennifer Bohman, Becky (Joey) Stueber, Jessica (Jason Krause) Bohman, Justin (Brittni) Krzanowski, Matthew (Jenny) Bohman, Heather (Joe) Murkowski, Josh (Leah) Krzanowski, John (Chrissy) Kraus, Megan (Adam) Stanek, Morgan (David) Diaz, McKenzie (Ben) Colvin, Emily (Matt) Graveen, and Jameson Kraus; step-grandchildren Samantha and Marissa (Kyle Birling) Reynolds and Todd (Sue) and Tim (Elayne) Fischer.
He is also survived by his brothers Jerry (Jean) Kraus, Tom (Margaret) Kraus and Ken (Mary) Kraus and his sisters Agnes Rehlinger and Marilyn (Richard) Wagner.
Louie was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law Richard Fischer, his brothers Edward, Charles, Leroy and Jim, and his sisters Lorraine Mancl, Margie Oertel, Laverne Fahey, Marion Jakubowski, Annita Pokallus and Virginia Stauber.
During Louie’s long life he was always full of fun stories and a good laugh. He had an enormous heart and a zest for life. He could be seen spinning circles on any dance floor or church picnic enjoying the polka bands from the area. Louie enjoyed his time at the race track and seeing his family race all over the state. Many people knew him as the scooter driver around Wausau often found at the side of the road waving to the traffic with his friend and neighbor, Jake. He had been a member of the board of directors for the Labor Temple. One of his most memorable events was being joined by his son Louis (Butch) on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight and the memories they made that day. He loved everyone and had the most lasting heartfelt friendships that touched the lives of many people. He will be remembered the most for how much he loved and cared for his family and how proud he was of them.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. The Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Burial will be in St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Rozellville. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau, and again Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a rosary service at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the Stewart Avenue funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. God wanted me now, He set me free.
Linda Imig
Linda M. Imig, 57, Wausau, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at Benedictine Living Community of Wausau.
She was born April 17, 1962, in Wausau, the daughter of Milton and Carol (Kohl) Pike. On April 3, 2003, she married Marvin Imig in Wausau. He survives.
Linda loved her job as a certified nursing assistant for Benedictine Living Community, where she worked for over 20 years. Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed camping, going for walks, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and was an avid Packers fan.
Survivors include her husband, Marvin, Schofield; her father, Milton Pike, Weston; five children, Randall (Jennifer Anderes) Pike, Wausau, Dawn (David Naquayouma) Wrycha, Wisconsin Rapids, Monica (Marcus Flowers) Imig, Marissa (Keion Jives) Imig and Michelle (Adam Parker) Imig, all of Wausau; two step-children, Rae Anna Imig and M.J. Imig, both of Wausau; 16 grandchildren; five siblings, Bonnie (Todd Hutchison) Pike, Randy Pike, Kim Pike, Maggie Pike and Jancy (Scott) Kleiber, all of Wausau; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Carol.
Funeral services will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. Dr. Philip C. Schneider will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday from 3 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Harold “Duck” Millard
Harold G. “Duck” Millard, 72, died Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, under the care of Theda Care at Home Hospice at Wisconsin Veteran’s Home, King.
He was born July 27, 1947, in Wausau, son of the late Charles and Arlene (Davis) Millard. He attended and graduated from Wausau Senior High School in 1965. On Feb. 13, 1998, he married Mary Lou Frank at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Rothschild. She preceded him in death on July 7, 2018.
After graduating high school, Harold managed a car wash in Wausau until his enlistment in the U.S. Army in 1966. He served two tours during the Vietnam War and his duties took him all over Vietnam. In March of 1969, he was discharged from the Army as a Spec 5. Harold received multiple distinguished service medals and awards including Army Commendation Medal with three Oak leaf clusters and”V” device for Heroism, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and one Silver Star, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class, Presidential Unit Citation and the Purple Heart.
Upon his return to Wausau after his military service, Harold worked for Wausau Concrete for 17 years as a machine operator. In 1986 he was hired by the Wausau School District where he worked as a custodian and truck driver delivering supplies throughout Wausau until retirement in 2011. He was a life member of the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post No. 10, Wausau, member of the Man of Honor Society and volunteered at the Eagles Club. He enjoyed attending car shows, especially Iola.
Survivors include a sister, Judith (Ray) Ninneman; nephews, Tim and Todd Bishop, Scott Ninneman, Jason, Jeremy and Josh Windorski; niece, Tammy Wiemandt; step-niece, Connie Ninneman; step children, Lynnette Haemmerle, Scott Haemmerle, Jenny (Chris) Socha and Jeff (Amanda) Frank; step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents and wife, Mary, he was preceded in death by a sister, Charlene Sillars.
Burial will be 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau, where full military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post No. 10, Wausau. A celebration of Harold and Mary’s life will be from noon until 3 p.m. Thursday at the Eagles Club, Wausau.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Janice Peasley
Janice Dawn Peasley, died on Aug. 10, 2019, under the care of LeRoyer Hospice at Rose Mary Manor in Mattoon.
She was born on May 17, 1947, to the late Valentine and Florence (nee Manske) Slater. She married James Peasley on June 25, 1966. He survives. She is also survived by her daughter, Dawn (Tim) Dunbar; their children, Kayla Dunbar (Beau Perry), Tiffany Mootz (Walter); her great-grandchildren, Carli Perry (step), Oliver Perry, Sullivan Mootz and Lincoln Mootz; brothers and sisters, Keith Slater, Leslie (Bonnie) Slater, Valerie (Howard) Parmer and Virginia Powell; brother-in-law, Jerry Peasley; sisters-in-law, Betty Lewis and Linda Namendorf; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a sister, Arleen Lutzow, and two brothers-in-law, Lloyd Lutzow and Patrick Powell.
Janice loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, crocheting, baking, doing puzzles and reading.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the town of Hutchins Town Hall in Mattoon on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, beginning at noon and ending at 3 p.m.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Ralph Schultz
Ralph Albert Schultz, 93, of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, due to complications associated with cancer.
Ralph was born to Henry and Edna (Hoppe) Schultz on Feb. 3, 1926, in an apartment on Townline Road in Wausau. The family, including his two older sisters, Dorothy Roth (Arnold) (deceased) and Irene Short (Robert) of Florida, moved to Ashland, Wisconsin, during the Depression for work. They eventually purchased 80 acres near Grandview, Wisconsin, where he lived and grew up until moving to Stevens Point, roaming the woods and catching frogs and turtles on Deer Lake. A lasting memory from those days was coming home from school to the wonderful smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls his mother had made.
A big change happened in 1935 when the family became Jehovah’s Witnesses, which faith Ralph cherished until his death. He was in the full-time Bible-education work until he was imprisoned as a conscientious objector for 18 months in Sandstone, Minnesota, due to his Bible-trained conscience. He continued to preach and teach about the Bible throughout his life. It was one of his greatest joys, to talk to people about the Bible’s promise of a paradise earth.
In 1947, while living in Stevens Point, Ralph was invited to learn the sewing machine trade from his brother-in-law, Robert Short. They opened a shop in February 1950 called the Fashionette Sewing Center at 1207 Third St. in Wausau, three doors north of the Glass Hat. The shop was relocated in 1962 to 610 North Third Ave., easily identified by Viking emblazoned on the sides.
In 1951, Ralph married Leona Kienbaum, whom he affectionately called ‘Onie.’ Leona preceded him in death on Dec. 22, 2016. She and Ralph had two children, Sherry Fricke (Randy) (deceased) and Mark Schultz (Cindy), whom they raised with love and guidance from God’s word. They also taught Bible truths to their grandchildren, Hillary Zunker (Shawn) and Raleigh Fricke. Ralph is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Mae Kellar (Kienbaum) and Beverly Kienbaum; along with four step-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren, and three step-great-great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Ralph traveled the world with his family for many international conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses and through trips sponsored by Viking Sewing Company. Besides the Bible-education work he so cherished and the love of travel, he also enjoyed biking, fishing and spending time daily reading and studying God’s word.
Ralph’s love of neighbor is summed up in his own words: “To all our business friends and to those we met in the past 63 years in Wausau in our ministry while going door-to-door, may we meet again when the earth is turned into a paradise, in the near future under Jehovah God’s Kingdom by Christ Jesus. Until we meet again.”
A memorial service is scheduled for Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3900 Hummingbird Lane, Rib Mountain, Wisconsin, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend and share in remembering a beloved father, grandfather and friend.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Brian Hanke
Brian D. Hanke, 64, of the town of Elderon, died on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at his home.
He was born on April 30, 1955, in Wausau, the son of the late Marlyn “Jeff” and Mary Daisy (Hill) Hanke.
Survivors include a daughter, Jennifer Wold; grandchildren, Jacinda Hanke and Jaden Wold; a sister, Marilyn (Dan) Huck; a brother, Bruce (Christine) Hanke and several nieces and nephews.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents and a son Brian.
A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg. Rev. Loretta Waegli will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Rest Cemetery, Elderon. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memories may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
