Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Mary La Porte
Mary F. La Porte, 72, died Monday, Oct. 28, at her place of residence in Kronenwetter, after her fight against cancer. She was born on Oct. 1, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Leon and Emily Sucharski.
On March 3, 1987, she married Arthur ‘Skip’ La Porte in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He survives. Mary graduated from St. Mary’s school of Nursing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She worked as a registered nurse at various nursing homes in Wisconsin. Later, she joined her husband in the building and selling of homes. Mary and her husband Skip, moved several times to different states, finally coming back to the Wausau area in 2013, where they made their home in Kronenwetter.
Mary considered their moves as adventures. She was also an artist and was contracted to do several pencil sketches. She shared her drawings with family and friends. She spent hours on watercolor drawings, ceramics and basket weaving. She loved art. She also enjoyed reading, gardening and had a love for horses.
Survivors include her husband, Arthur (Skip) La Porte, stepchildren Kevin (Sheri) La Porte, Aniwa; Karen (Dennis) Connor and Kurt (Tammy) La Porte, both from Ringle, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren, her sister-in-laws Cathy Sucharski, Citrus Heights, California, and Diane Berry, Cane Creek, Arizona, three nephews, two nieces and special friend Judy Weston, Logan, Utah.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Simon and Michael Sucharski. Mary’s wish was to be cremated without funeral services.
In memory of Mary, a donation can be made to R.E.G.I. (Raptor Education Group, Inc.) of Antigo.
Josephine Williams
Josephine, 85, Wausau, passed away on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital peacefully surrounded by loving family.She was born on Feb. 7, 1934.
She was a loving mother, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was employed at Goodwill and other various places before retiring from The Women’s Community.
Survivors include eight children: JoAnn (Robert) VanSleet, Gary (Rebecca) Williams, Sandra (Geoff) Groshek, Keith (Christine) Williams, Donald (Beth) Williams, Thomas Williams, Ann (Steve) Osborne, and Patrick Williams. She is also survived by four siblings: Kenneth (Helen) Opichka, Elmer (Hannelorie) Opichka, and Germaine (Lyn) Heise. Josephine also had 26 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by husband, Harold, and Sister Sally (Ken) Voigt.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Wausau, from 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Mark Pierce officiating.
Marion Resch
Marion Gertrude (Jozwiak) Resch went home to her Heavenly Father on Oct. 24, 2019, at Pride TLC, under the comfort care of Ministry Hospice, with family and loved ones by her side.
She was born on July 26, 1937, in Hatley, Wisconsin, to the late John (Sr.) and Gertrude (Pestka) Jozwiak. She graduated from Birnamwood High School in 1955. Marion married her soulmate Jerome “Jiggs” Resch on Jan. 19, 1957, in Hatley, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death on July 26, 2019.
Marion was a devoted wife and mother. Marion was most often found in the kitchen baking treats and meals, offering comfort to her friends and family. When she was not at home, she was either volunteering at town hall and at St. Philomena’s Parish as an active member of the Christan Mothers Alter Society. She was a strong woman whose devotion to the Lord was fierce. Marion enjoyed time at her Pelican Lake cabin where she and Jiggs would go boating, fishing, and enjoy their children and grandchildren. She spent much time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren; one could argue was her favorite hobby. She also loved spending time gardening, watching the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers, and of course bowling.
Survivors also include her children, Mike (Sue) Resch of Richmond, Virginia, Pamela Walkowski of Birnamwood, Patrick Resch (special friend Julie) of Duluth, Minnesota, Tamara Resch (special friend Paul) of Green Bay; her grandchildren, Nicole and Amanda Resch, Cory and Ryan Walkowski, Collin and Kyle Resch, Kristin (Sean) Finn, Kayla (Craig) Harrington and Morgan Weiss; her great-grandchildren, Lucas, Oliver, Azlea and Conor; and her sister, Patricia (Thomas) Brounacker. Marion is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son; James “Jimmy” Resch, three sisters; Loretta Ostrowski, Geraldine Falkowski, and Christine Carlson and one brother; John Jozwiak, Jr.
A Mass will be held on Nov. 9 at St. Philomena’s Catholic Church in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, at noon, with Father Vincente Llagas officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon.
Phyllis Easker
Phyllis P. Easker, 87 of Neenah, formerly of Weston, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at Emerald Ridge Assisted Living in Neenah.
She was born on Sept. 13, 1932, in Elderon, the daughter of the late Arthur and Olive (Button) Marsh.
On March 17, 1953, Phyllis was united in marriage to Kenneth Easker in Elderon. He survives.
Phyllis was an accounts receivable clerk at Wausau Insurance for many years until her retirement. She and Kenny lived in their Weston house for 56 years making many memories.
Phyllis enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, baking and watching the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers. Phyllis and Kenny also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino, but most importantly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Phyllis was a friend to all and will be deeply missed.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Kenneth; their children, Sharon (Rick) Baldocchi of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Michael (Vicki Lynn) Easker of Appleton; five grandchildren, Jordan (Erin) Easker, Brandon Easker, Cameron Easker, Melody Lyam and Matthew Baldocchi; one great-granddaughter, Aisha and one brother, Jon (Kathie) Marsh.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Richard Marsh.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Rothschild. Rev. Richard Block will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place on Friday at 3 p.m. at Evergreen Rest Cemetery, Elderon.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
