Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Debra “Deb” Busko
Debra “Deb” Busko, 63, of Hancock died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, at her home.
She was born July 14, 1956, in Fort Benning, Georgia, daughter of the late Frank and Pauline (Baker) Ziegel. On Oct. 12, 1974, she married the love of her life Joseph Busko at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. He survives.
Deb played many rolls throughout her life. Some of her favorites were being able to stay home with her children when they were small and then starting a job at Weyerhaeuser, where she worked in the mailroom.
She loved her work there and soon found her place in the accounting department. This ended up giving her the skills she needed to eventually help Joe run their trucking business. They enjoyed many years on the road together. She believed in working hard and instilling strong moral beliefs in her children. She was “tons of fun” and was rarely seen without a smile. She made many friends along the way and her favorite thing to do was to spend her time with those she loved.
Survivors include her husband, Joseph Busko, Hancock, her children, Ken (fiancé Dennie Wiedeman) Busko, Rib Mountain, Kathryn (Adam) Thiem, Markesan and Kyle (Laurie) Busko, New Mexico, six grandchildren, Kimberly (fiancé Nick Baum) Busko and Logan and Dylan Busko and Wyatt Helsell, Aiken and Cordelia Thiem, her siblings, Keith (Marge) Ziegel, Marathon and Linda Morrill, Wausau and nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents she was preceded in death by one daughter, Kimberly Busko and a sister, Theresa Haroldson.
Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of services, all at the Marathon funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Research Hospital; StJude.org. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Verna Kraeuche
Verna M. Kraeuche, 94, Wausau, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born Feb. 1, 1925, in Weyerhauser, daughter of the late Michael and Pearl (Siejia) Tomczak. On Nov. 15, 1944, she married George Kraeuche in Weyerhauser, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death Sept. 3, 2002.
Among her favorite pastimes were reading, quilting, embroidery and gardening. Verna was also an avid bird watcher. After George’s retirement, the Kraeuches were caretakers at a private resort in Stone Lake.
Survivors include nine daughters, Betty Stiefel, Clintonville, Jane (Louis) Olson, New Glarus, Dianne Burczyk, Port Washington, Judy (Harold) Beise, Young Harris, Georgia, Susan Kuester, Wausau, Karen Kraeuche, Blaine, Minnesota, Mary Ann Kraeuche, Chippewa Falls, Barbara (Gary) Anderson, Austin, Minn., Laurie Zastrow, Boise, Idaho; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren, six great great grandchildren; one brother, Robert Tomczak, Bloomer.
Besides her parents and husband, Verna was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Rose, siblings, Lucille Myczek, Elizabeth Lindblad, George, Bruce, Carl and Steven Tomczak.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Peter Kieffer will preside. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Catholic Church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Tom Roberts
Tom Roberts, 62, of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, at his home surrounded by family after a journey fighting lung cancer.
Tom had a love of life and a love of running. He loved spending time at the cottage on Bear Lake with family and friends. While up north, Tom could be found carving and taking family on boat and four-wheeler rides. Much of his time he spent going to his son John’s baseball games. He loved adventures, including climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and hiking in South America. Tom and his wife, Laurie, also took many smaller adventures on his motorcycle and trips to different parts of Wisconsin.
His other love was running. Tom completed 21 marathons, including four marathons with his running partner, his daughter Angela. He ran countless half marathons and a Ragnar Trail Run. In 2008, Tom qualified and ran the Boston Marathon. Even when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, he continued to run and race in different events including one of his favorites, The Point Bock Run.
Tom is survived by his wife, Laurie of 38 years; daughter, Angela (Buck) Rodgers; son, John (Morgan) Roberts; a beloved grandchild, Annabel Rodgers; and two grand dogs, Frankie and Mya. He is also survived by his brothers, Stephen (Eileen) Roberts, Jeffrey (Dawna) Roberts, Mark Roberts; sisters, Jennifer (Mark) Schiefelbein, Christine Roberts and Kate (Al) LeBlanc; sisters-in law, Connie (Dave) Gliniecki, Debra Knapp; parents-in law, Doc and Elaine Knapp; and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert and Vivian Roberts.
A very special thank you to the team of doctors and nurses who were true heroes of encouragement during his cancer journey.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at Trails End Bar and Restaurant, 3901 Sherman Road, Wausau, WI 54401, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. with some special words and remembrance at 5:30 p.m.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Rose Britz
Rose A. Britz, 62, Mosinee, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 21, 2019, at home. Rose was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, on May 3, 1957, to the late Anthony and Theresa (Eron) Britz. Rose graduated from Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, in 1975.
She was employed by River Pines Nursing Home and Lullaby Furniture, both in Stevens Point for many years. In 1989, she began her apprenticeship as a pipefitter and four years later became a journeyman pipefitter. Rose retired from the trades in May of 2019. She was proud to be in the plumbers and pipefitters trade just like her father and two brothers.
Anyone who knew Rosie, would tell you what a passionate, strong, confident and kind person she was. She had deep convictions and wanted everyone to get a fair shake in life and she would stand in support of them. Her committed participation in the labor unions most of her life attested to that. Rosie made friends and connections wherever she went. She was always interested in what you had to say and have a good laugh with you. Rosie enjoyed doing crafts,making soap, playing guitar and singing. She loved traveling, teaching and learning new things.She loved her family, friends and her union brothers and sisters. She had the sweetest interior and we will all miss her dearly.
Rosie is survived by her siblings: brother, Peter (Dilly) Britz, Rudolph, Wisconsin, sisters, Mary (Mark) Bushmaker, Rudolph, Wisconsin, and Sue Britz, Junction City, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Lyn Britz, Rudolph, Wisconsin, nephews: Joshua Britz, Daniel Bushmaker, Kyle (Kristin) Ule, Austin King, and niece: Tiffany King; great-nieces and nephew: Olivia, Alexah and Carsen, and her cat Tessa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Theresa Britz, three infant sisters, brothers: Joseph and James Britz.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 631 E. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Philip Catholic Church in Rudolph on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, at 11 a.m. with Fr. Janusz Kowalski officiating.
Rita Miller
Rita Lorraine Dubrul Miller ,75, of Aransas Pass, Texas, passed away on Oct. 19, 2019. She was gentle, loving and kind; adored her children, grandchildren, family and friends.
Was employed by Ron Hoover RV and Camper Clinic and enjoyed her work. She loved westerns, food and traveling. She spoke softly. She will be greatly missed.
She is preceded in death by husband, Wilbur Sonny Miller; son, Michael French; parents, Lavonne Avis White and Clarence Earl Dubrul; brothers Gary and Edward Dubrul; sister, Ruth Ann Dubrul Olson (LeAnn, Tommy) .
She is survived by son, Gary French and daughter Shelly Bates; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Rita Bates (Britney, Emily, Quinton) Rebecca Bates (Kristopher, Harley) Michael French Jr (and children); and many more family and friends.
John 13:34: Love one another. As I have loved you.
