Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Bernadine “Bernie” Meyer
Bernadine “Bernie” Meyer passed away Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at Mount View Care Center. Her life of faith in God, love of family and grateful to be an American has come to an end after the complications of heart failure. Bernadine was born on May 3, 1930, to Helen and Daniel Traeder in rural Marathon County. She grew up in Schofield, Wisconsin, and attended Schofield Elementary School and Wausau High School. She was sister to three brothers; Maynard, Gordon and Donald (all deceased).
Survivors include: Son Michael and wife Tina; son Dean and wife Corinna; son Scott and Lori; daughter Lisa Moriarity and husband Joe; and daughter-in-law Judy Meyer, widow of Gene Meyer. Grandchildren: Brent Meyer (son of Gene and Judy Meyer); Carissa and Camilla Meyer (daughters of Dean and Corinna Meyer); Raymond Meyer (son of Michael and Tina Meyer); and Brendan, Owen and Aaron Moriarity (sons of Lisa and Joe Moriarity).
Bernie was preceded in death by her oldest son Gene Meyer and her husband Leon Meyer.
On Sept. 25, 1948, when his U.S. Navy years were over, Bernadine married Leon Meyer at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. At that time, Bernie converted to Catholicism. It was one of the most life-changing decisions she ever made. The marriage was blessed with five children: Gene, Michael, Dean, Scott and Lisa. Bernadine served on the Newman Catholic High School board in the 1980s. All five children attended Catholic elementary schools and all five graduated from Newman Catholic High School. Bernie took great pride in handing graduation diplomas to some of her own children.
Special blessings and thanks to Fr. Al Slowiak for his many years of inspiring homilies and services; Dr. David Murdock who never stopped caring and who with his profound knowledge of cardiac care supported Bernie since 1994; John and Joan Klosinski who made “love your neighbor” easy; and especially daughter-in-law Tina, who never missed a day to call or stop and check on Mom Meyer. The Meyer family wishes to thank the caring staff at Wausau Aspirus Hospital, Mount View Care Center and Benedictine Living Community. The family would especially like to thank hospice nurse Haley and social worker Linda from Aspirus Hospice for their kindness and compassion during Mom’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bernie’s name can be made to Saint Mark Catholic Church, 602 Military Road, Rothschild, WI 54474.
A funeral mass will be held on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Mark Catholic Church, 602 Military Road, Rothschild, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the mass, at Saint Mark Catholic Church. Fr. Al Slowiak will officiate. A Christian burial will take place immediately following the mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Glen Viergutz
Glen D. Viergutz passed away Nov. 11, 2019. He was born in Wausau, Feb 24, 1934, to Raymond and Anna (Gritzmacher) Viergutz. On June 28, 1958, he married Carolyn (Kort) Viergutz. They have been married 61 years.
Glen is survived by his wife Carolyn, his daughter Brenda (Keith) Schreiber, his daughter Sara (Allen) Schmidt and his grandchildren Derek, Travis, and Kendra Schmidt. He is further survived by his in laws Audrey Viergutz, Patricia Ringle, and Marlene and Glenn Opichka as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings John Viergutz, Harold Viergutz, Wallace (Esther) Viergutz, Sarah (Earl) Thompson, Mabel (Otto) Gresen, Dale Viergutz, Les (Delores) Viergutz, and Grace (Al) Halliday.
Glen served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
Glen retired from the City of Wausau Water Department in 1994 after 33 years of service. After retiring, he took on many other jobs to stay occupied and to learn new things. These ranged from working in the area in cranberry bogs and ginseng fields, to packing candy, portraying Santa at the Wausau Center mall, and being the outdoor custodian at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Glen also had many passions. He was an avid hockey and baseball player in his younger years, enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends, and traveling with Carolyn throughout the U.S. and Canada. His favorite trip was the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Glen was also an avid gardener and fruit grower. He always had extra produce to pass to neighbors and to others who walked past his house or stopped in to talk.
Glen will be greatly missed, but always remembered.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 630 Adams St., Wausau. Rev. Dr. Niveen Sarras will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, where military honors will be performed by the American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post 10.
Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Donald Albert
Donald C. Albert, 87, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born March 14, 1932, in Milwaukee, son of the late Charles and Alvina (Schumann) Albert.
Before retirement, Donald worked as a senior planner for production control at Allen Bradley (Rockwell Automation). He was a minister for his congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Milwaukee and a member of the Milwaukee Barbershop Chorus for many years. He enjoyed watching birds, grilling outdoors and cheering on the Packers. Don was an excellent woodworker, he knew a little about everything and was always willing to help anyone, especially his family.
Survivors include his daughters, Cheryl (Jeff) Frost and Linda (Jeffrey) Reed; grandchildren, Laura (Tim) Deininger, Jessica Lecher, Mark (Kelsey) Ward, Nicole (Matt Dickson) Tolk and Ryan (Kenzi Zimmerman) Tolk; great-grandchildren, Tyler (Kennedy) Lamberg, Haylee Schlichting, Jeffrey Deininger, Myla Lecher, Ally Deininger, Brynlee Weix Gabreyl Lehman, and Nolan Ward; nieces, Karen (Bob) Brophy and Kristine Behreandt; brother-in-law, Stanley Sandulak; sister-in-law, Dorothy Thompson; friend of the family, Dwight Tolk. He will be greatly missed by many other loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by Pauline Juderjahn, a son, John Albert, sister, Clio Cleo Rassmusen, grandsons, David Tolk and Jeffrey Ward, sister-in-law, Irma Sandulak, brother-in-law, Ralph Thompson, “daughter” Debora Beyerl and life companion, Rosalie Scheff.
Memorial services will be held at Marathon Town Hall, Marathon Road, (at the intersection of Highway N), Marathon, Wisconsin, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. Laura Deininger, granddaughter of Donald C. Albert will officiate. Visitation will be Saturday from 2 p.m. until the time of services at the Marathon Town Hall.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Steve Luedtke Sr.
Steven “Steve” George Luedtke Sr., 63, Wausau, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, while visiting his cabin with his son.
Steve was born Feb. 23, 1956, in Wausau to the late George and Mildred (Michlig) Luedtke. He was a 1974 graduate of Wausau West High School before going on to Northcentral Tech and becoming a licensed electrician and working for Van Ert Electrical Co. for many years before retiring. Steve married Dawn McManamy and the couple was blessed with four children: Jessica, Rachel, Steven Jr. and Elizabeth; the couple later divorced. Love found Steve once again and after a 14-year partnership he married Lori (Lucko) Plachetka on March 20, 2009.
Steve was a good husband and wonderful father whose calm presence and polite nature will be dearly missed. To Lori he was her angel and to his four children he was the rational and patient father who taught them that the 10 commandments were the rules of life. Steve’s deep love for his family grew over the years to encompass his grandchildren and step-grandchildren. Because family was so important to Steve, he and Lori hosted a family reunion and barbeque for the past 17 years over the Memorial Day weekend and fun was had by all.
Despite his tougher exterior, Steve was truly a very generous man with an extremely wonderful sense of humor. He was a very interesting person to get to know with some knowledge on just about everything due to his love of reading. Steve certainly had his opinions and he always enjoyed challenging others to make a person think about why they believed in something.
In his free time, Steve loved the outdoors and going to his cabin to “hunt.” Hunting to Steve was to go and appreciate the splendor of nature and the animals, in his entire life he never shot a deer. He enjoyed all kinds of music, from the Eagles to Metallica. Steve’s love for sports began early in life, lettering in baseball and hockey in high school before going on to play in the American Legion baseball league and playing softball with the “old geezers” later in life. He also loved to watch baseball, football, hockey and going to the races with family. Following retirement, Steve took up woodworking building on many wonderful projects.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife of 10 years, Lori; children, Jessica (Tony), Rachel (Jon), Steven Jr., Elizabeth (Tim); stepchildren, Jessica (Andrew) and Jonah (Sarah); six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; siblings, Jackie (Chester), Jerry (Pam), Kristine (Mike), Jane and Jenny; father-in-law, Charles Von Kanel; brother and sister-in-laws, Michael (Julie) and Lisa (Dermott); nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Jacqueline Alice Von Kanel.
The funeral service for Steve will be at noon on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Monday. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. You may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Alvin Goetsch
Alvin Ervin Goetsch, 87, of Wausau, passed away on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at Wausau Manor under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
He was born in Wausau on July 7, 1932, to the late Ervin and Esther (Zemke) Goetsch. Alvin grew up in Wausau and was a life-long resident. He was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church and also attended school there. Alvin served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. During his working years he was employed at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, Wausau Homes, and later retired from the City of Wausau, where he worked as an operator and sewer maintainer. In 1971, he married the former Joyce Tanck at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau. She survives.
Survivors also include three stepchildren, Gail (Terry) Glisch, Lonnie (Darlene) Tanck, and Glenda Modrzejewski (Terry Komarek); brother, Jerry Goetsch; and sister, Grace Pregont.
He was preceded in death by parents, Ervin and Esther; brothers, Ralph and Wayne Goetsch; and sister, Sylvia Torzewski.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 512 McClellan St., Wausau, with Rev. Jennifer Hoffman officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will take place at a later date.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Cheryl West
Cheryl Ann (Blanken) West, 74, Wausau, passed away on Nov. 11, 2019, surrounded by loving family members, after a long courageous battle with cancer.
She was born in Dekalb, Illinois, to the late Orville “Bud” and Carol Blanken on Nov. 3, 1945. She married her high school sweetheart, the late Warner West, on June 27, 1964. Cheryl enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, playing cards and going to the casino.
She is survived by her three children, Darlene (Gary) Erickson, Darryn West and Daphney (Brad) Brandenburg; four siblings, Pat (Alvin) Olsen, Jewel (Ron) Baseley, Barb (George) Eberly and Mike (Bonnie) Blanken. She enjoyed spending time with her five grandchilden and one great-granddaughter and will watch over her second great-grandchild on the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville “Bud” and Carol Blanken; husband, Warner West; and her mother-and-father-in-law, Lurid (Stub) and Phyllis West.
Her wishes were to be cremated without funeral services and placed with her husband. Her ashes will be spread, as she wished, with family in attendance.
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Ralph Weeks
Ralph Weeks, 78, of Wausau passed quietly on Nov. 10, 2019.
He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, to Juanita and Russell Weeks. In high school, he played football, basketball and baseball. (Later he was a referee for those sports.) After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving 20 years with two tours in Vietnam. He retired from the military as a recruiter.
He met Karen in 1974 and they married in August of 1975. They moved with Karen’s three children to Wisconsin. The couple started foster parenting in Michigan and continued in Wisconsin. Ralph and Karen, along with raising her three children, helped over 250 foster children. In 2011, they received the Foster Parents of the Year in the state of Wisconsin. After retiring, Ralph went to work at the post office for 20 years. He was a town chairman and had served on the Marathon County Board.
Ralph loved to travel and play golf. The best time playing golf was when he beat his brother, Bob.
He is survived by his wife, Karen; and he was the father to Cash, Russell (Chris) Weeks; stepfather to David Bouyear Jr. (Carol Davidsowski), Lisa (Kris) Reynolds and Lance (Christine) Bouyear; grandfather to Alex Weeks, Anthony Weeks, David Bouyear III (Misti), Joshua Reynolds, Brendan Reynolds, Sasha Bouyear and Antone Bouyear; great-grandfather to Haley Bouyear and David Bouyear IV; brother to Robert (Jane) Weeks, Don (Susan) Kieger, Kay (Bob) Stephens Weeks, Janet Schnurpel and Patty Weeks.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Juanita and Russell; stepfather, Loran Kieger; sister, Patty; son, Cash; and brother-in-law, Bob Stephens.
The family will be having a celebration of Ralph’s life (to be determined at a later date).
The Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.HonorOne.com.
Scott Ciszewski
Scott Gerard Ciszewski, 59, of the town of Bevent, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at his home.
He was born on Jan. 22, 1960, in Wausau and is survived by his parents, Norman and Mildred (Tuskowski) Ciszewski of Bevent.
Scott drove a truck for the Ciszewski family business for many years.
Scott is survived by his parents, Norman and Mildred; one brother, Duane (Shirley) Ciszewski; a niece, Jill (Keith) Walkowski; a nephew, John Ciszewski and great-nieces, Katelyn and Bethany Walkowski.
Scott was preceded in death by an infant brother, Norman Jr. and grandparents, John and Theresa Ciszewski and Joe and Francis Tuskowski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent. Rev. Augustine Bentil will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass 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.
