Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Mary Ann Mizwinski-Zajackowski
Mary Ann Mizwinski-Zajackowski, 73, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, at her home.
She was born June 22, 1946, in Wausau, daughter of the late Leonard and Anna (Toth) Mizwinski. On Nov. 20, 1999, she married Gregory Zajackowski at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. He survives.
In 1967, Mary Ann graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing and went on to work at Wausau Hospital, North Central Health Care Center and Sylvan Crossings. She was a certified geriatric, assisted living and psychiatric nurse as well as a CPR instructor. She was a member of the rosary society and Secular Franciscan Order and enjoyed knitting, crocheting prayer shawls and doing crafts. Some of her other interests included nature, walking through fallen leaves, rainbows, holy pictures, playing bingo and putting together puzzles. Mary Ann loved her pet companions and, above all, time spent laughing with her family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, Gregory Zajackowski; stepchildren, Brian (Dana) Zajackowski and Cheryl Sann; step-grandchildren, Desiree Sann, Brianna and Danon Zajackowski; step great-grandchildren, Jayden and Harper Miskowiak.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11: a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will preside. Visitation will be Sunday from 3:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, and again on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Justin Dobson
Justin J. Dobson, 32, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. He was born to Jeffrey and Kathleen (Kelly) Dobson on July 9, 1987, in Antigo, Wisconsin.
Justin was one of those guys that when he entered a room you felt his kindness, compassion and love that he carried about him. He had a huge heart and treated everyone the same.
He enjoyed going to Rib Mountain, snowboarding, skiing, boating, woodworking and working out, and he had a passion especially for music writing. He will truly be missed by all.
He is survived by his parents Jeffrey and Kathleen, brother Jeremy, grandmother Nancy Kelly, aunts Lisa (Jerry) Louis, Deborah (Kenneth), Kim Kelly and uncle Eric (Karen) Lindstrum, along with many cousins and friends.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Don Kelly, Phyllis and Walter Dobson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be addressed to the family.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 948 Grand Ave., Schofield, Wisconsin, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Mary Blakewell
Mary A. Blakewell, 66, of Wittenberg died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, at Marshfield Medical Center.
She was born on June 2, 1953, in Wausau, the daughter of the late Roger Schmidt and Anita (Luechau Schmidt) Wruck of Wittenberg.
On June 23, 1973, Mary was united in marriage to Kenneth Blakewell in Wittenberg. He survives.
In Mary’s early adult years, she worked at McArdle Laboratories in Madison and an accounting firm in LaCrosse. The couple then moved to Eau Claire, where she was employed at the Eau Claire Public Library as an associate administrator for many years until her retirement. The couple then moved to Wittenberg.
Mary loved taking care of her family and attending her daughters’ activities while they were growing up. She enjoyed taking walks and walking on her treadmill. Mary loved her family get-togethers. Often times playing cards, dice or dominoes or just sitting, visiting and laughing. She was an excellent shopper, always looking for a good deal or a piece of art that she could display in her home. Mary enjoyed traveling and seeing different places. She enjoyed golfing, her visits to the casino and listening and watching the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.
Mary is survived by the love of her life, Ken of Wittenberg; two daughters, Clara (Daren) Effertz of Cumberland and Molly Blakewell of Eau Claire; her mother, Anita Wruck of Wittenberg; four siblings, David A. (Shirley) Schmidt of Bonita Springs, Florida, Donald R. (Jennifer) Schmidt of Kaukauna, Ros (Bob) Stanke of Menasha and Jeanne (Hugh) Hamilton of Neenah; beloved dog, Buddy, and several nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews and great-great niece and nephews, as well as friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her father and her mother and father-in-law.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home of Wittenberg is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
Lester Gettelman
Lester J. Gettelman, 80, of the town of Germania, Shawano County, died on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, at Marshfield Medical Center.
He was born on June 13, 1939, in Germantown, the son of the late Harold and Francis (Maranowicz) Gettelman. Lester was a U.S. Army veteran.
Lester was united in marriage to the late Janet (Schiller) Raith on Nov. 28, 1958. He then married Violet Uecker on Sept. 30, 1972, in Skokie, Illinois She survives.
Lester did custom plowing in Germantown and worked at Ernie Von Schledorn as a mechanic.
The couple bought their farm in the town of Germania in 1984 and milked cows for three years. They then raised beef cattle, mainly White Face, White Park and Galloway, until recently.
Lester was a NASCAR and Indy Car fan. He also enjoyed snowmobile racing, camping and wrestling. He loved snowmobiling, especially riding Sno-Jets, and was involved in Slinger Speedway.
Lester lived by the motto “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” He enjoyed going to auctions and bringing projects home. Lester was known as “Mr. Fix It” for many years and loved anything mechanical. Lester was a very caring man and was always the first one to help anyone in need.
Lester was a talker. He could make a conversation with anyone. There was always a connection that could be made. After retirement, Lester spent much of his time visiting with people. Lester was a family man and cherished all the time spent together.
Lester is survived by his wife, Violet Gettelman; children, Cynthia (Mike) Tennies, Charles Gettelman, Andrew (Kathy) Gettelman, David (Deborah) Gettelman and Jennifer Gettelman; son-in-law, Mark Herrmann; former daughter-in-law, Amy Wiener; grandchildren, Theresa (Mitch), Liz (Justin), Emily, Sara, Alicia Bree (August), Nicole, Anthony and Chris (Brielle) and great-grandchildren, Morgan, Jackson, Emma, Julia, Brynlee, Kyler and Brady. He is further survived by his siblings, Donna (Elroy) Klienmann, Mary Madalinski, Harry (Sandy) Gettelman, Barb (George) Herdina and Sandy (Wally) Garner and a sister-in-law, Janice Gettelman as well as many other relatives and friends.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Linda Herrmann; a grandson, Davey Quinn; former wife, Janet Raith; a brother, Dennis Gettelman; very special aunt, Mildred ‘Milly’ Schuldt; father-in-law, Ray Uecker and good friend, Coreene Gaboda.
A funeral service will be held at noon on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home of Wittenberg. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. There will be a Remembrance Scattering held on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at the farm.
Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
A special thank you to all of the staff at Marshfield Medical Center who made Lester’s stay more comfortable.
