Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Margaret Zastrow
Margaret Ann (Marge) Zastrow, 95, passed away at Cedar Creek Manor on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019.
Marge was born on April 29,1924, in Stratford, Wisconsin, to the late Emil and Anna (Schoenfuss) Wiesman, the ninth of 12 children. She grew up on the family farm, attended the Sunshine Grade School in the town of Cleveland and graduated from Stratford High School in 1942. Marge moved to Wausau after graduation and worked at Silbernagel (Crestline Manufacturing) as a machine operator where she met her future husband, Erwin “Erv” Zastrow. Marge also was employed by the United Cloak Shop as a bookkeeper, JC Penney and Tempo Department Store as a department head until her retirement. Marge and Erv were married on Nov. 16, 1946, at St. James Catholic Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. They made their home in Weston, Wisconsin. Erv died unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm at age 49 in 1967.
After retirement, Marge still tended her vegetable garden and yard and worked on weekends cleaning at the Avenue Supper Club for several years. She was famous for her canned green beans which she gave as Christmas gifts, her beef roast dinners and cinnamon sweet rolls. Marge was also a big Packers and Brewers fan, never missing a game.
Marge is survived by her children Jean (Allen) Maszk, Mosinee, Wisconsin, Sharon (Michael) Stahl, Wausau, Wisconsin, and David (Peggy) Zastrow, Weston, Wisconsin; grandchildren Eugene (Sarah) Smith, Rothschild, Wisconsin, Joshua (Kathy) Smith, Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, Christopher (Eve) Stahl, Salado, Texas, Jonathon (Tracy) Stahl, Fredonia, Wisconsin, Nathaniel (Melanie) Stahl, Crivitz, Wisconsin, Justin (Brenda) Zastrow, Birnamwood, Wisconsin, Courtney (Nick) Polak, Weston, Wisconsin, Miranda Maszk (Iann Robinson) Cincinnati, Ohio; great grandchildren Aidan, Reed and Anna Smith; Katlyn and Caleb Stahl; Noah, Maclaine and Allison Stahl; Michael Stahl; Megan Davis, Milo and Grace Zastrow; and Allison, Molly and Anna Polak. She is also survived by one sibling, Sister Mary Ann Wiesman FSPA of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Erv, sisters Evelyn, Magdelin, Agnes and Grace; brothers Harvey, Albert, Walter, Anton, Robert, and Leonard in infancy.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank everyone at Cedar Creek Manor for their wonderful care of our mom this last year and North Central Health Care Transportation Service.
Harry Zunker
Harry D. Zunker, Jr., 86, of Wausau passed away on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau.
He was born on March 30, 1933, in Wausau, son of the late Harry Sr. and Lillian (Stubbe) Zunker.
His favorite hobbies were collecting guns and selling automobiles.
Survivors include three daughters, Jane Johnson, California, Amy Loranzo, Florida, and Linda Martin, Illinois; grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother Eugene Zunker, and his sister Dorothy (Zunker) Stefanski.
Memorial Service will be held at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St. Wausau. Rev. John Stransky will officiate. Visitation will be from 11:30 until the time of service at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be given at brainardfuneral.com.
Karen Ollhoff
Karen Ollhoff, 76, village of Maine, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill, surrounded by her family, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
She was born Oct. 12, 1943, in Wausau, daughter of the late Alfred and Helen (Koppa) Peters. On Feb. 17, 1962, she married James “Popsie” Ollhoff at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death on Jan. 7, 2019.
Karen grew up in the village of Maine playing baseball with her brothers, riding her horse, Ginger, spending time with her Uncle Byron and Aunt Florence in Athens, and going up north to Somo Lake. After marrying, she worked very hard on the dairy farm while raising six children. She loved animals, especially dogs, and had many over the years. She loved to read and do the daily newspaper word scramble. She loved planting her many flowerbeds. If anyone stopped over, she would offer a piece of her many different desserts she always made. Music was always playing in the house and barn along with the WDEZ Sunday morning polka show. She loved kids, especially her grandchildren. She was a kind, generous person always putting everyone else before her. Never one to let grass grow under her feet, she taught us kids a good, honest work ethic. We know she is with Deb, Dan and Popsie now, but we miss her dearly.
Survivors include her children, Mitch (Guyna) Ollhoff, Greg (Jackie) Ollhoff, Diane (Ward-her favorite son-in-law) Bennett and Scott (fiancée Victoria) Ollhoff; grandchildren, Ashley Smith, Jordan, Luke, Grace, Leigha, Gunner and Lydia Ollhoff; great-grandchildren, John, Alannah and Dylan Smith; one brother, Ronnie (Faye) Peters; one sister, Kristy (Gus “Junior”) Gollhardt; brothers and sisters-in-law, Cary Peters, Irene Peters, Carol Uekert, Mary Lord, Charlene (Karl) Pilath, Mark (Josie) Ollhoff, Mike (Sandy) Ollhoff, Tina Ollhoff, Gene (Peggy) Ollhoff, Gary (Chris) Ollhoff and Bob Richey; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Jim, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie; son, Dan, four brothers, Alfred,”Fritz”, Kenny, Billy and Gary Peters; an infant sister, Patsy; sister in-laws, Bea Peters, Stella Peters,Katie Richey; and brothers-in-law, David Ollhoff and Donnie Uekert.
The family would like to thank Missy, Daryl and the whole staff at Woodland Court that took such good care of our Mom.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, village of Maine. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Pamela Kuehl
Pamela Kuehl, 62, of Rib Mountain passed away at her home on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019.
She was born on March 28, 1957, in Wausau to the late Percy Kuehl and Marcella (Mesalk) Kuehl of Rib Mountain. Pam grew up in Rib Mountain and was a graduate of Wausau West High School. She enjoyed going to rummage, garage and estate sales. Many of the knick-knacks she would pick up ended up being displayed in her outdoor garden. Whether is was feeding the deer, birds and ducks or going on pontoon rides or bass fishing on the Somo River, Pam loved being outdoors.
Survivors include her mother, Marcella, long time companion, Corey Gutowski of Rib Mountain and her niece, Kaydee (fiancé-Nick Jirgl) Kuehl of Weston. Pam was further preceded in death by her brother, Scott.
A celebration of Pam’s life will be 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Funeral Celebrant Jeff Krcil will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Charlotte Strehlow
Charlotte Paula Sarah Strehlow (Zaremba), 111, of Merrill, Wisconsin, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill. Records indicate Charlotte was the oldest person in Wisconsin, the 22nd oldest in the United States, and the 76th oldest person in the world at the time of her death.
Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Charlotte was born on July 18, 1908, in Stanton, Nebraska, the daughter of Rev. Emil and Marie (Mayerhoff) Zaremba. Charlotte was baptized, confirmed, and married in services officiated by her father. She spent her childhood in Nebraska where her father served as pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Norfolk. They moved to Norwalk, Wisconsin, in 1921 when Rev. Zaremba received a call to St. James Lutheran Church. In 1931, her family then moved to Wausau, Wisconsin, where her father was installed as pastor to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, village of Maine.
Charlotte married William (Bill) A. Strehlow on her 27th birthday, July 18, 1935. They worked the Strehlow farm and later started the Polar Freeze Locker Service business. They had one son, Gerald. Charlotte and Bill were both active members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Charlotte was blessed with the gifts of music and art. She was a founding member of the sewing circle and ladies guild. She was also a member of the altar guild where she made altar cloths for the various church festivals and provided floral arrangements from her flower gardens. She was a member of the church choir, sang solos for many church weddings, and played violin in the church orchestra. Charlotte loved to tend her flower gardens, design and sew her own suits and blouses, as well as draw and paint. She also loved to plan, decorate and host family holiday meals which she always served in the dining room.
Charlotte is preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings and son. Sisters include: Angelica (Arnold) Meier of Bangor, Wisconsin, Thekla Zaremba of Wausau, and Edith (Rev O.W.) Koch of Bangor, Wisconsin. Brothers include: Gerhardt (Dorothy) Zaremba of Wausau, Victor (Sally) Zaremba of Sun City, Arizona, Rev. Theodore (Irene) Zaremba of Mesa, Arizona, and Theophil Zaremba who died as an infant in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Survivors include daughter-in-law, Pauline Strehlow; three grandchildren, Geralyn (Timothy) Plautz, Dawn (Nick) Schoch, and Dan (Julie) Strehlow, all of Wausau; as well as four great-grandchildren, Noah Plautz, Rachel Plautz, Andrew Schoch, and Rebecca Schoch; step-great-grandchild, Mario Duwe; and other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at Bell Tower Residence, 1500 O’Day St., Merrill. Rev. Joel Willitz will officiate. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place in the town of Berlin Cemetery.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
The family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at Bell Tower Residence and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bell Tower Residence or Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Patrick Bogan
Patrick Bogan, 75, of Wausau passed away at his home on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
He was born on April 30, 1944, in Appleton to the late Wayne and Doris (Wilson) Bogan.
After graduating from Appleton High School, Pat joined the U.S. Marine Corp. He proudly served our country from 1962 until 1966 during the Vietnam War, until he was honorably discharged as a Corporal. Pat was a member of VFW Mosinee Memorial Post #8733 and the American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post #10. He was honored to have joined other veterans on the 2018 Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
After moving to Wausau, Pat worked for Marathon Press where he was plant manager for many years. After leaving Marathon Press he joined his son, Clintt in residential home construction, building several homes in the Wausau area.
On April 22, 1988, Pat married Peggy Pickett in Wausau. In his early years, he was an avid bowler and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending weekends up north camping with family. After retirement, Pat and Peggy enjoyed traveling in their motorhome, visiting family and friends with an occasional trip to the casino. He especially enjoyed following the Weinkauf boys, short track racing all over the Midwest, as well as watching the Packers, Brewers and the Wisconsin Badgers. He rarely missed a game!
Pat was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to so many.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy of Wausau, three children, Deborah (Tom Batterman) Richards of Weston, Richard (Dianah) Bogan of Ft. Worth, Texas, Clintt (Diane) Bogan of Maple Grove, Minnesota, seven grandchildren, Jonica (Dominic), Jensen and Jayden Richards, Kaylee (Ben) Graefe, Derrick, Bailey and Ariel Bogan, faithful companion, Isabelle, brother, Mike (Carol) Bogan of Neenah, three sisters, Ellen (Tom) Taplin of Menasha, Kathy (Bruce) Huelsbeck of Combined Locks, Jean (Jim) Piette of Appleton, half-sisters, Karen (Dan) Siebenlist of Bogart, Georgia, Amy (Jamie) Ouellet of Winder, Georgia, half-brother, Wally (Amy) Bogan of Milwaukee, three sisters-in-law, Kathy Bogan of Appleton, Marcee Bogan of Kaukauna, Lois (Tom Farrar) Pickett of Wausau, two brothers-in-law, Dennis (Dianne) Pickett of Wausau, Steve Pickett of Wausau and many nieces, nephews and extended family, Brian Richards of Wausau and Liz (Jeremy) Andert of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Pat was preceded in death by four brothers, Allen, Peter, Dan and John, two brothers-in-law, Jack Pickett and Jeff Sorenson, stepmother, Dorothy Bogan.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Burial will take place at a later date in the Veteran’s Cemetery, King, Wisconsin. Visitation will be Wednesday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
Full military honors will be presented by the VFW Mosinee Memorial Post #8733. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Ella Kufahl
Ella A. Kufahl of Wausau passed away at North Central Health Care on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. She was returned to her Creator, our Heavenly Father, who blessed her with 99 years.
She was born on Sept. 21, 1920, in Wausau to the late Reinhard and Clara (Laumer) Draeger. Ella grew up in Edgar and attended Scotch Creek School. She later married Alvin Kufahl on Aug. 29, 1942, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Edgar. Ella started working at the former St. Mary’s Hospital in the kitchen and continued her career in food service at Aspirus Wausau Hospital until her retirement.
Ella enjoyed her flowers, gardening and watching the birds. Many summer weeks were spent with family and friends at North Forest Campground. She also was gifted with musical talent, playing the piano, guitar and accordion. Ella was always known for her kindness and love for all.
Survivors include her children, Eldon Kufahl (Rita Dombrowski), Jean Kufahl, Ervin (Kathryn) Kufahl, and Sandra (Richard) Desotelle; grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will have many fond memories; son-in-law, Jerry Klinger; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Kufahl; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; parents, Reinhard and Clara; children, Carol Kufahl and Garry Kufahl; brothers, Reinhard and George; and sister, Leona Hoffman.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau, with Rev. Zach Holdorf officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in the Marathon Town Cemetery.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Leonard Plamann
Leonard H. A. Plamann, 95, of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Rennes Health and Rehab Center.
He was born in Merrill, Wisconsin, on Oct. 7, 1924, to the late George Sr. and Hattie (Hackbarth) Plamann. He married Rosemary Wells on Nov. 22, 1949.
Leonard worked for Nash Garage, and ran a Phillips 66 Gas Station before retiring from Hartwig Manufacturing. He played baseball for the Merrill Rangers, played horns in polka bands, and was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Known as the local squirrel whisperer, Leonard loved to feed the wildlife peanuts, befriending squirrels to the point where they would sit on his shoes. Several generations of squirrels begged at the Plamann’s back door. Leonard also enjoyed traveling on Amtrak, listening to country music, flea marketing, bird hunting, fishing and bowling. But most important to him were his family, and his relationship with the Lord.
Leonard is survived by his children, Steven (Jill) Plamann of Windsor, California, and their children, Julian of Oakland, California, and Adelaide Larsen of Rohnert Park, California; Linda (Les) Handford of Lynnwood, Washington, and their children, Cassidy and Cole; and Janice (John) Santa Cruz of Gilbert, Arizona, and their children, Brandon and Breanna. He is further survived by his grandson Bart Plamann of Palmetto, Florida, and his three great-grandchildren, Elliott, Evan, and Ellaya of Rohnert Park, California.
In addition to his parents George Sr. and Hattie, Leonard was preceded in death by his son Daniel and his wife Rosemary; as well as his brother, George Jr. and sister, Victoria.
A funeral service will be held later in the Spring of 2020.
Family and friends may go to helke.com to leave online condolences.
Margaret Wierzba
Margaret C. Wierzba, 91, of Wittenberg died on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born on Nov. 19, 1928, in Rosholt, the daughter of the late John and Katherine (Goskowicz) Kulas.
On Nov. 18, 1947, Marge was united in marriage to Martin Wierzba at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church, Rosholt. He preceded her in death on Aug. 16, 2008.
Margaret and Martin farmed in Galloway until they retired and moved to Wittenberg in 1991. Margaret was a very giving person and enjoyed putting others before herself and helping people. She was an excellent seamstress and made many outfits, including wedding dresses. She was also a wonderful baker, baking many wedding cakes. She enjoyed gardening and canning. Religion was a very important part of Marge’s life and she was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Galloway. She loved holding babies and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include four children, LeRoy (Sue) Wierzba of Rosholt, Karen (Andy) Groshek of Wittenberg, Elaine (Ron) Schrader of Milwaukee and Marvin Wierzba of Wittenberg; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; seven surviving siblings and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Marge was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a daughter, Marie Schroeder and six siblings.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Galloway. Fr. Augustine Bentil will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
The family would like to sincerely thank the physicians and nurses in the Palliative Care Department at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the kind and compassionate care given to Margaret.
Karl Schroeder
Karl Paul Schroeder passed away early Dec. 3 at the age of 89 after suffering complications from a debilitating stroke.
Karl was born June 26, 1930, and spent his childhood in Mattoon, Wisconsin, helping his father and brothers on their farm. In high school, he was a star pitcher on the baseball team. After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force and after his basic training received his orders to go to Germany where in a dance hall in Munich he met his future wife, Erna Wagner. After receiving permission from Erna’s parents, they were married in 1954 by the local Burgermeister and later by a chaplain.
During his time in the Air Force, as is the case with service members, he had to move his family several times due to transfers including to Florida, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana and Minnesota. When he received his orders to serve a year in Vietnam, he moved his family to Clintonville, Wisconsin, so they would be close to relatives in the event something unfortunate happened to him. He returned home safely after a year and during his service in war, he was awarded the Bronze star as well as other distinguished medals.
While in the Air Force, Karl pursued his passion for flying and earned his private pilot license, and later became a flight instructor for the base aero clubs he joined. While stationed in Montana, he purchased his own airplane, a Cessna 210 with the call sign 7445E (or echo), but to him the E stood for Erna. The airplane provided his family with the ability to more easily visit friends and relatives and also see many exciting places throughout the United States.
After 27 years of service, Karl retired from the Air Force with the rank of SMSgt and settled with his wife and family in Superior, Wisconsin, where he started his second career as a flight instructor, charter pilot and air ambulance pilot. But it wasn’t all work; he and Erna loved to dance and took part in several dance competitions over the years earning trophies for dancing the polka, waltz, rumba and other classic dance styles. And when the time came to finally give up flying, they began a life of travel, purchasing a fifth wheel trailer and spent their winters in Donna, Texas, while returning each spring to Superior. He continued his love of dance and would give dance lessons, with Erna as his partner, to the other couples while they were in Donna, Texas.
Karl and Erna lived in the same house in Superior, Wisconsin, for almost 40 years until in 2016. After his first stroke, Karl and Erna reluctantly agreed that they could not live on their own anymore. For the last two years, he and Erna have lived in an assisted living community in Cottage Grove, Oregon, to be close to their youngest son who closely looked after them.
A celebration of life for Karl will take place in Cottage Grove, Oregon, and he will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in the town of Hutchins, Shawano County, Wisconsin.
Karl was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Ida and his brothers Ivan, Elmer, Roy and Norman.
Karl is survived by his wife of 65 years, Erna, His three children Martin (Betti Kathryn), Debbie and Robert, and his grandchildren Michael, Nicholas and Alan as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.
