Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Rose Kijak
Rose M. Kijak, 86, of Mosinee passed away on Oct. 20, 2019, at Marshfield Medical Center.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Halder on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 11 a.m., with Fr. Joseph Nakwah officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 4-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of services. All will be held at St. Patrick’s Church. Sauter / Rembs Funeral Home, Stratford, is assisting the family.
Rose was born at home to Frank and Felice (Sienicki) Omelian on Oct. 16, 1933, in the town of Rietbrock, Marathon County. She married Andrew T. Kijak on Oct. 21, 1953, at The Church of the Holy Family, Poniatowski. He died on Oct. 17, 1988.
Rose and Andrew dairy-farmed and raised their family in the town of Emmet. She worked at The Buckaneer Supper Club for 30 years and was a home caregiver for Aspirus Home Care. Her daughters traveled with her on a special trip to Rome. She watched her flower garden come to life in spring and kept a close eye on every flower as it was ready to bloom. She loved to embroider dresser scarves and would showcase them to her visitors. A jigsaw puzzle was always in progress for all to help piece together. Her daily companion, Smudgey, will be missing her frequent doggie treats. Rose was very proud of her family and enjoyed calls and visits from all.
She is survived by six children. Thomas (Pamela) Kijak of Kronenwetter, Theresa (Dan) Larner of San Jose, California, Joseph (Donna Witberler) Kijak of Mosinee, Irene Kijak of Chicago, Theodore (Susie Krukowski) Kijak of Mosinee, Edward Kijak and his wife, Cynthia Wachsmuth, of Wausau. She is further survived by nine grandchildren, Rachel, Rebecca (Aaron) Wells, Eric (Katherine), Max Larner, Jake Larner, Gabriel (Jasmine), Paul (Katie), Anthony (Shannon Byrnes) and Julie; two great-grandchildren, Oakley and Ashton; one brother, Frank (Genevieve) Omelian; one sister, Catherine (Ronald) Schuette; and nephews, nieces and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Felice, husband, Andrew, sons, Frank and James, two grandsons, Francis and Michael, nephew, Matthias Omelian, brother-in-law, George Urmanski, and sisters-in-law, Lottie (Kijak) Urmanski, Adeline Kijak, and Evelyn Kijak.
Rose was so excited and happy to celebrate her grandson’s wedding this past weekend with many family and friends. She shared many stories with all. She will be remembered as a hard-working, strong woman and a tender, caring and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. We will miss those signature chocolate caramel bars. No one can make them like Grandma.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.
Anthony “Tony” Lonsdorf
Anthony J. Lonsdorf, 37, Wausau, was surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Oct. 16, when he passed away peacefully at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born July 27, 1982, to Marshall Lonsdorf and Theresa Jozwiak. He is survived by his father, Marshall, sister Leeann (Todd) Duwe, grandmother Dolores Lonsdorf, former stepmother Melanie Sebranek, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Tony was preceded in death by his mother, Theresa, half sister Angela Jozwiak, grandfather George J. Lonsdorf, grandparents Lambert and Angela Jozwiak, aunt Suzie Lonsdorf, and uncle William Jozwiak.
Tony was a kind soul and gentle spirit who loved all animals, especially cats. He loved his friends more than life itself; he also enjoyed cooking and spending time at events with family and friends. He was an avid collector of rocks with a very eclectic taste – in his childhood he picked rocks from the farm fields of his grandfather’s dairy farm that fueled his geology fascination. He embraced his Native American heritage and was a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. He loved visiting with and being able to talk to his grandmother Dolores, and close friends Cassidy Reynolds and Amanda Gebert.
The family would like to thank the team of dedicated and caring doctors, nurses, and ICU staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their professional quality of care they provided Tony. As well as the two gracious priests who assured Tony’s last journey would be in the embrace of Jesus Christ.
Family and friends can help celebrate Tony’s life and honor his memory on Saturday, Nov. 2, with a visitation from 11 a.m.-noon followed by a service at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. A private burial will take place at a later date at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau where Tony will be laid to rest with his mother.
Harvey Kettner
He was born July 23, 1936, in Unity, son of the late Michael and Alice (Bootz) Kettner.
At a young age his love for trucking started by redesigning his little red wagon into his very first pulp truck that his dog Shep, could pull. He later purchased his first truck in 1952 and continued trucking until the age of 80. While enjoying his trucking career, he also ran the family dairy farm with his father.
Harvey proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1959 until 1962 in the transportation T43T Company as a truck driving Specialist Corporal.
When he returned home, he caught the eye of his nephew’s teacher Faith Benedict and they were married on Feb. 11, 1967. A marriage that lasted 51 years until Faith’s death on April 18, 2018.
Among his favorite pastimes he enjoyed working with horses, trout fishing on the Prairie River and especially being on Silver Lake with his family.
Survivors include his daughter, Kelly Kettner, Irma, his siblings, Lois Smith, Wausau, Judy (Dennis) Rhyner, Kronenwetter, Darlene (Paul) Habeck, Wausau, Donald (Shirley) Kettner, Wausau, Elmer Kettner, Antigo, Edward (Kay) Kettner, Wausau, one sister-in-law, Kathy (Steve) Hager, Mission Viejo, California, and many nieces and nephews. Harvey was preceded in death by his nephew, Jesse Kettner and a niece Mary Kettner.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wausau. The Rev. Kemp Jones will officiate. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
David A. “Dave” Hanke, 64, of Edgar passed away unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born Oct. 24, 1954, in Merrill, son of Norma (Bunge) Hanke and the late Charles Hanke. On Aug. 8, 1975, he married Mary Hart at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. She survives.
Dave was the owner/operator of Dave’s Pro Cut Lawn Service of Edgar where he made many lasting friendships throughout the years. Dave will be remembered for his willingness to help others in need.
Some of his favorite pastimes included ice fishing, hunting, making maple syrup with Dale and Adam and cooking his famous fish fry’s for his family. Dave also enjoyed his daily coffee with his many friends.
Survivors include his mother, Norma Hanke, his wife Mary Hanke, Edgar, his children, Brad (Melissa) Hanke and Nicki (Ryan) Kraft, his loving and adorable grandchildren, Bailey, Riley and Easton Hanke and Isaiah and Dakota Kraft. He is further survived by his siblings, Dale (Debbie) Hanke, Karen (Russ) Faber, Karla (John) Dymerski, Kathy Myers and Darrell Hanke, his brothers and sisters in law, Donald Hart, Carol Wisnewski, Karen (Dave) Benna, Linda (Steve) Drewek, Frank Hart, David (Chris) Hart, Ervin Hart, Laurie (Donnie) Miller, Mike (Kelly) Hart and Rodney (Liz) Hart and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Dave was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Florence Barnia, father Charles Hanke, brother, Danny Hanke, mother and father-in-law, Cletus and Katherine Hart and brothers-in-laws, Dennis Hart and Mark Wisnewski and several special nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. The Rev. Thomas Huff will officiate. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, and again on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
