Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Michael Sonnentag
Michael Allen Sonnentag, 67, of Wausau died on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital.
Mike was born in Wausau on Jan. 28, 1952, to the late Albon and Rita (Ellfors) Sonnentag. He married Frances Kurth on April 3, 1998. Up until this retirement, he worked at BDM Bridge, working his way up to supervisor. He enjoyed the outdoors and could often be found golfing and fishing. When he wasn’t doing one of those things, he could be found watching the Green Bay Packers or spending time with his family.
Mike is survived by his wife, Frances Sonnentag; daughters Stacey Brophy, Tammy Sonnentag, and Shawna (Chris) Kletzine; siblings Albon (Gerri) Sonnentag, Karen Dix, Denny (Marilyn) Sonnentag, and Terry (Angel) Sonnentag; grandchildren Bram, Chance, Alexandria, Zoe, Paxton, and Lucy. He is further survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law Paul (Kathy) Kurth, Cathy Weber, Cindy (Chris) King, Bonnie Kurth, Barb (Luke) Kurth, Joe (Vicki) Kurth, Betty (Dan) Wittman, Rose (Jim) Szamania, Bill Kurth, Mary (Chris) Jalinski, and Kenny (Gina) Kurth; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his son Todd Franson Jr. and brothers-in-law Jerry and Dan Kurth.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Eric Seim
Eric J. Seim, 45, Wausau, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at his home.
He was born Dec. 26, 1973, in Wausau, son of Jerome “Jerry” Seim, Birnamwood, and the late Jean (Kole) Seim.
Eric loved the outdoors and in the past enjoyed rabbit hunting with his dad and going up North deer hunting. Fishing was another favorite pastime, especially fly fishing.
Survivors include one son, Kyler Seim, two sisters, Ann Mead, Wausau and Lisa Burgess, Wausau, his father, Jerry (Deb) Seim, Birnamwood, nieces and nephews, Mason and Harper Mead; David (Eva) Burgess; Amanda Burgess; one great nephew, Shiloh Burgess; aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Seim.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. Greg Bohren will preside. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the Sixth Street funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established for the future educational needs of his son, Kyler.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Judy Osborne
Judy M. Osborne, 78, town of Texas, died Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born Aug. 17, 1941, in Wausau, daughter of the late Fred and Mae (Jorstad) Borchardt. On June 13, 1964, she married Harold “Ozzie” Osborne at St. John Lutheran Church, town of Easton. He preceded her in death on May 10, 2001.
For many years, Judy worked as a custodian for the Wausau Insurance Co. until her retirement. Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed berry picking, flower gardening and loved her chickens. Judy was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Aniwa.
Survivors include, three children, Steve (Ann) Osborne, Wausau, Kathy Osborne, Wausau and Keven Osborne, Weston; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Fredrick (Sharon) Borchardt, Wausau; one sister, Karen (Raymond) Wilke, Baraboo; one brother-in-law, Ralph Stam, Wausau; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Sherry Osborne; an infant granddaughter, Jessie; an infant great-grandson, Jayden; and two sisters, Donna Trelle and Carol Stam.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. Ryan Fehrmann will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petesonkraemer.com.
Ruth Venske
On Wednesday, August 28, 2019, a beautiful life left us with her family by her side after her short battle with pancreatic cancer and Paget’s disease of the bone to go to her heavenly home. Ruth Alice Venske, the last living child of nine born September 12, 1925 to the late Herman and Amanda (Beilke) Radtke. She lived all of her life in Stettin township, growing up on the family farm on Highway U and farming at her home on Highway O after marrying Leo Venske June 9, 1945 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Stettin, and who preceded her in death on April 8, 2002 after 57 years of marriage.
A loving mother of three children, Lynn (Raymond) Yessa of Milton, WI, Dale Venske of Merrill and Lonn (Panida) Venske of Wausau. A caring grandmother of 10, great-grandmother of 11 and aunt to many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by 4 sisters, 4 brothers and their spouses.
She enjoyed farming with Leo until her retirement, while still working in various nursing facilities and caring for many people in her home as well. She had unmeasurable compassion for people and animals, loved growing flowers and making many quilts for her church to send overseas as well as for family and friends. She’s well known for her peanut bars and sending cookies to family far away. Grandchildren could always count on her cheese gifts at Christmas and cookies in her kitchen.
The funeral service for Ruth will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 3rd at Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Stettin. Pastor Phil Bogen will officiate. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, September 2nd at Helke Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 PM; visitation will resume on Tuesday at the church beginning at 10:00 AM until the time of service. She will be buried alongside her parents in Stettin Christian Cemetery. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
A special thank you to her special caring granddaughter, Krista, to her loving daughter, Lynn, who made it possible for her to be at home and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their compassionate care.
Memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of Marathon County (7001 Packer Drive, Wausau, WI 54401) and to Trinity Lutheran Church (1008 N. 120th Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401).
Patricia Krohn
Patricia F. Krohn, 71, of Rothschild passed away on Aug. 27, 2019, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice service at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born to the late Kenneth and Helen (Behringer) Talcott on March 20, 1948, in Wausau, Wisconsin. She graduated from Wausau East High School in 1966 and NTC in 1967. She married Michael Krohn on July 2, 1969.
Pat was very active and loved anything to do with antiques. She set up booths at area shows and some store fronts along with going on shopping adventures looking for them. She loved spending time outside, being with her furry animals and being with friends and family.
She is survived by her husband, Michael, daughter Michelle Neathery, two grandchildren Brianna and Kylie Baker and one great-grandchild Patrick.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery in Wausau. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences maybe expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Marie Hoffman
Marie A. Hoffman, 75, formerly of Tigerton, died on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg where she had been a resident for the past six years. Marie enjoyed the staff’s company at Homme Home and always felt like family.
She was born on July 28, 1944, in Wittenberg, the daughter of the late Louis Crumb and Esther (Smith) Metoxen.
On June 2, 1962, Marie was united in marriage to Quintin Hoffman at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tigerton.
He preceded her in death on Nov. 16, 2016.
Marie was a certified nursing assistant at Homme Home for many years. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Tigerton, and was active in the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed country music, reading, gardening, going to garage sales and ceramics. Marie enjoyed bowling on the Tuesday night ladies league at Tigerton Lanes and loved the time spent with her best friend and sister, Judy.
Survivors include her children, Julie Behnke of Tigerton, Wendy Kobow of Texas, Scott (Gina) Hoffman of Marion and Michelle (Ron) Rhodes of Texas; five grandchildren, Ryan (Danelle) Wudtke, Jeffrie (Jess) Behnke, Josh (Mori) Kobow, David Yonker and Breianna Hoffman; great-grandchildren, Damien, Devin, Kyra and Zoe; sister, Judy Smith of Tigerton; brother, Danny (Peggy) Metoxen; two sisters-in-law, Beverly Latall of Maryland and Loretta (Bill) Meyer of Tigerton; two nephews, Joey Metoxen and Matt (Cindy) Metoxen and two great nieces, Taylor and Jordan.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son-in-law, Randy Behnke; niece Karen, great-nephew Shawn and special Aunt, Rachel Smith.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church, Tigerton. Rev. Dean Suehring will officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
