Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Whynona Fenske
Whynona (nee Ramthun) Fenske, 97, of 919 N. Eighth Ave., Wausau, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. She was predeceased by her mother and father (Rose and Frank Ramthun in 1954), two sisters, Rachel in 1908 and Marie in 2002, and her husband, Martin, in 2010.
Whynona was an active member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wausau. She taught Sunday School for 62 years, in many cases taught three generations of some families! She was an active member of the Mother’s Club, Women’s Guild, and the Quilting Club.
Whynona attended Franklin School and Wausau (East) High School graduating in 1940. Her employment history included working in Kresge’s when they opened in Wausau and in the cafeteria of Wausau West High School.
She was an avid stamp collector, painted ceramics, and enjoyed her flower garden. Whynona and Martin enjoyed traveling. Over the last 22 years, they went to Branson, sometimes two or three times a year. Other trips included the Western states, Mexico and Las Vegas. Whynona also enjoyed trips with her children to Gettysburg, Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls and Sault Ste. Marie and the locks there. She even made it to Sturgis, South Dakota, during Bike Week. She and Martin enjoyed spending summers at their cottage on Lake Nokomis near Tomahawk.
She was married to Martin Fenske in Dubuque, Iowa, Dec. 10, 1941. They had three sons, Arnie (Barb), Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri; Myles (Sharon), Wausau; and Rev. Jerald (Kay) Huron, Ohio. There were six grandchildren, Sue (Jeff) Brinkmeyer, Blue Springs, Missouri, and Gene Fenske, St. Louis, Missouri, (children of Arnie and Barb); Rebecca Fenske, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and Amy Klein (Jeff), Weston, (children of Myles and Sharon); and Kiersten (JJ) Rupert, Fairborn, Ohio, and Deena Fenske, Huron, Ohio, (children of Jerald and Kay).
She also had seven great-grandchildren, Spencer and Asher Brinkmeyer, Blue Springs, Missouri; Arizona and Gabriel Fenske, St. Louis, and Jordan, Austin and Taryn Radeuchel, Sun Prairie. To her great grandkids, she was known as Grandma Nonie.
For all the help given over the years to our Mom, Whynona’s family wants to express their thanks to Rev. Philip Schneider (Pastor Phil), Keane Foster, Brenda Wasleske, Gerald Denton, the Mother’s Club and the congregation of St. Paul’s Church and especially to Jack and Mae Nelson for their transportation help. To Mom’s best friend, Pat Schreiber, and her daughter and son-in-law Mary and Roger Anderes for all their support and help and to Diane Carlson and Tammy Schulz for all the help they gave as her caregivers while Mom was still at home. And to Benedictine Living Community for the care they gave to her while there.
And a very extra special thanks to Mom’s neighbors, Delores and Ringo Ringwelski and Brian Bickford for all the wonderful things they’ve done over the years for our Mom (and our Dad).
A funeral service will be held on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 426 Washington St., Wausau. Rev. Philip Schneider will preside. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Whynona’s name to St. Paul’s UCC.
Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at brainardfuneral.com.
Merlyn Kamke
Merlyn P. Kamke, 91, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. He was born in Schofield on Nov. 8, 1928, son of the late Faale and Helen (Gies) Kamke. Merlie served his country with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1951 until his Honorable Discharge in 1953. On June 4, 1960, Merlie and Arletta Kasten were united in marriage by Pastor G.C. Marquardt at St. Peter Lutheran Church, she preceded him in death on Aug. 28, 2014, after 54 loving years of marriage.
Merlie worked 47 years at Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill and earned the title of being the longest tenured employee. He served as an alderman for the city of Schofield for 32 years, following that he served on the Water and Sewer Utility Board as chairman. Merlie was a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, where he served as everything from church cleaning crew to financial secretary and at one time as vice president.
In his younger years, Merlie enjoyed playing basketball in the City League for Egdahl Lumber Co. and Red’s Bar. He also played baseball for Schofield in the Sunday County League. Merlie played slow and fast pitch softball until he broke his ankle climbing the fence for a fly ball at Kelly Athletic Club in 1976. He was proud to share this story with his family and friends whenever he had the chance. He was a caddy at the Wausau Country Club and in his later years he enjoyed the challenge of retrieving golf balls from water hazards. Merlie was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Packers, Brewers, Bucks and Badgers. He always had an opinion on how these teams could do better. He also spent many hours watching, coaching and encouraging Kirk and Shawn in their sports endeavors. The local softball umpires would always know when Merlie and his brothers were in the stands offering their opinion on their calls. During his retirement, he was a regular attendee at the McDonald’s in Schofield. They even gave him a McDonald’s jacket and a birthday setting one year.
He is survived by his son, Kirk (Connie Diers) Kamke, Weston; grandson, Shawn (Molly Nicholson) Kamke; sister, Katie Huber, Weston; sister-in-law, Jan Kamke; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dave (Gene) Kasten, Jim (Judi) Kasten, Bonnie (Lyle) Nass, and Diane Kasten; along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Merlie was preceded in death by his wife, Arletta; brothers, Donald, Lance, Harley (Gertrude), and James (Sarah); brothers-in-law, Rodney Huber and Ken Kasten.
Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1351 S. Grand Ave., Schofield. Rev. Walter Davidson and Rev. Jeffrey Mahnke will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, and again from 10 a.m. until the time of services all at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Peter Lutheran Church in honor of Merlie.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Margaret Maier
Margaret Alice Maier, 97 of Mosinee passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, at Acorn Hill surrounded by her family.
She was born the youngest of five children on Oct. 25, 1922, in Racine to the late John and Mary Bankenbush Jr. When Marge was very young, they left the family farm and moved between Racine and Milwaukee.
On Aug. 4, 1945, she married Fred Maier in Milwaukee. They rode their Harley to Florida to honeymoon. Marge also got Harley rides at the age of 92 and 96 and rode with her son, Donald on his Honda Gold Wing. In her younger years, Marge shared a secretarial job at Baily Blower in West Allis. After Fred passed away in 1983, she moved to Milwaukee and later to Wausau to be near family. Marge lived on her own until 2018, when she moved to Acorn Hill, Mosinee. Even though Marge had a limited income, she was proud to have been able to pay her own way her entire life. While living in Wausau, Marge volunteered at the Talent Shop and sang in the Wausau Senior Choir. Marge will be remembered for the love she had for her family and her church family at Christ Lutheran Church, Wausau.
Survivors include her children, Lynn (Lawrence) Block of Marathon, Richard (Karen) Maier of Fairbanks, Alaska, three grandchildren, Kristen (Scott) Johnston of Bridgeport, Texas, Mitchell Block of Wausau, Matthew (Christine) Block of Rothschild, seven grandchildren, Brent, Hannah and Natalie Block, Erin and Allison Block, Jessica and Caleb Johnston, daughter-in-law, Sharon Maier of Tennessee and nieces and nephews. Marge is preceded in death by her husband, Fred and son, Donald.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, at Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Townline Road, Wausau. The Rev. David Wetmore will officiate. Burial will be a later date at Highland Memorial Park, West Allis. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church or Faith In Action, 630 Adams St., Wausau.
The family would like to thank these special people: The staff at Acorn Hill, especially Carol, Janet and Mary; the staff at Interim Health/Hospice, Tim and Monica; Kathy B. of Faith in Action, Hope L. of Christ Lutheran Church; Donna, Barb and the Senior Choir and Mike H., her “Harley Guy”.
Douglas Madden
Douglas Lloyd Richard Madden, 67, of Wausau passed away at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020.
Doug was born on July 26, 1952, the only child to Lloyd and Marion (Leffel) Madden. He graduated from Northcentral Technical College with an Associate Degree in business and worked as the dairy manager for Quality Foods IGA.
Doug was a kind and caring man. He volunteered countless hours with the Chatterbox Charities, helping the kids in our area. He enjoyed traveling, especially to New Orleans and Washington, D.C. And in his younger years, he loved to travel up north with his mom and dad, and row the boat while his mom would fish. He loved his nieces and nephews and looked forward to spending time with them whenever he could. He was a good friend, a caring partner, and loving son. Doug called his mom almost every day and was always sure to tell her that he loved her before saying goodbye. His smile and generosity will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Doug is survived by his loving mother, Marion; his significant other of 30 years, Diane Kuhnert; his cousins, Pat (Tom) Nemke, Barb (Jeff) Krohn and Sandy (Tim) Weller; as well as his special friends, Dennis (Laura) Kuhnert and their children and Darlene (Chad) Ringle and their children. He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Madden.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Rev. Erik Olson will officiate. Visitation will take place from noon until the time of services at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery at a later date.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Mount View for the care they gave to Doug.
Family and friends may go to helke.com to leave an online condolence.
Sandra Consolver
Sandra Sue Consolver, 76, passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long battle with vascular dementia at her home in Weston on Jan. 22, 2020. Sandra was a U.S. Army veteran who served as a medic on Presidio in San Francisco during the Vietnam War.
Sandra was born on Feb. 1, 1943, in Quincy Illinois. After moving to Weston, Wisconsin, she remarried the love of her life, Ronald Consolver Sr. She greatly enjoyed time with her grandchildren, coffee and trips to the casino.
Sandra was predeceased by her husband Ronald Consolver Sr., her sister Sharon Steffey, her brother Bruce Steffey, her niece Dori DuPree, her parents, and close friends Donny Cross Sr., Deanna Cross, and Donny Cross Jr. She is survived by, her daughter, Cynthia Kazemi -Veselak (David), Son Ronald Consolver Jr. (Elizabeth), four Stepchildren, Jeff, Troy, Kelly, and Shannon, grandchildren, Dillon Kazemi (Alyssa), Rebecca Consolver, Melanie Consolver, Hannah Consolver, Adam Consolver, and Andrew Consolver, Great Grandchild Elijah Kazemi, and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to give a shout out to Aspirus Hospice Care. They are the bomb!
Visitation to be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at the John J Buettgen Funeral Home, 948 Grand Ave., Schofield, Wisconsin, at 1 p.m. with services to follow at 2 p.m.
Milton Strnad
Milton H Strnad, 86, of Stevens Point passed away on Jan. 22, 2020, at St. Michael’s Hospital with his loving family at his bedside.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1933, to Frank and Emily Strnad. He is survived by his loving wife Josephine Strnad, daughter Lynn (George) Smazal, Janesville, daughter Victoria (Kevin) Miller, Almond, son Brian (Jami) Strnad, Plover. Grandchildren; Tyler (Mackenzie) Koltz, Sarina Strnad, Zakary Strnad, Deanne Wanta, Nick Strnad, Sisters Geri (Ted) Barnes and Rose Podraza, along with Fur Baby Bear.
He is proceeded in death by his parents Frank and Emily Strnad, son Milton Strnad, Jr, granddaugnter Savannah Strnad, brothers; Ladislav Strnad, Frank Strnad and Richard Strnad.
Milton enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking and being outdoors. He traveled this beautiful country as an over-the-road truck driver.
In lieu of flowers, please send your memorials to your favorite charities.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 631 E. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids, is assisting family at this time. Online condolences can be made to HonorOne.com.
Robert Schottler
Robert “Bob” James Schottler of Schofield passed away on his 78th birthday, Jan. 21, 2020, at Wausau Aspirus Hospital. Bob died after a year-long fight with lung disease, having lived a full and active life amongst family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Rothschild, Wisconsin. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Austin, Minnesota, at a later date. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service on Monday and a luncheon immediately following the service, both at St. Mark’s church. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to Gigi’s Playhouse Twin Cities, Shriners Hospital for Children of Chicago, or Wausau Area Mobile Meals.
Bob was born in 1942, to George and Monica (Gainey) Schottler in Austin, Minnesota, the oldest of six children. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Norita (Seleen) Schottler; children Mark (Jennifer) Schottler of Oak Park, Illinois, and Anne (Al) Saffert of Golden Valley, Minnesota; grandchildren Sam, Ellie and Ivy (Mark) Schottler and Kali, Brenna and Mack (Anne) Saffert; siblings Mary (David) Crandall, Julie (Michael) Hildebrand, David (Mary) Schottler and Margie (Joe) Hamel; 12 nieces and nephews; and 14 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Stephen.
Bob grew up in Austin, Minnesota, where he enjoyed being active and playing sports, especially basketball, which he played through high school, his college years and after. He attended St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964, he worked in St. Paul, Minnesota, for State Farm Insurance. Eventually, he and his family moved to Rothschild, Wisconsin, in 1973. Bob and Norita raised their children in the Wausau area and Bob continued to work for State Farm for more than 40 years, until retirement.
Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed attending sporting events for both his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing golf, participating in bridge club and socializing with friends. He kept his mind and body active by taking walks, going to the casino and working out at the gym. Later in life, he also enjoyed spending winters in Palm Desert, California, with his siblings, extended family and friends. He greatly enjoyed the beautiful weather of Palm Desert through golfing, hiking and just relaxing.
John J. Buettgen is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.
Michael Saenger
Michael W. Saenger, 45, Aniwa, Wisconsin, passed away Jan. 20, 2020, after a long illness. He is survived by his parents and sister and many close friends. Friends of Michael are hosting a Memorial Service, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at 3 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rib Mountain, Wisconsin.
Irene Cherek
Irene Cherek, 94, of Weston passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. She is once again with the love of her life, Frank Cherek, her beloved husband who she was all too soon parted from some 50 years ago.
Irene was born at home in Bevent, Wisconsin, on July 13, 1925, to the late Antone Delikowski and the late Frances Klemen Delikowski. She was predeceased by her sisters, Lucy Omernick and Angeline Laska , and brothers, Arthur, Anthony and Daniel. Irene is survived by her brother Ernie and Ray (Diane) and sister-in-law, Phyllis Delikowski. Irene leaves her three children, daughter Delphine Marceille and her husband, Patrick of Schofield, Wisconsin, her son, David (Pinky) Cherek of Weston, Wisconsin, and her son, Dennis Cherek and wife, Rose of Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
After marrying Frank Cherek on Sept. 24, 1942, the young couple lived in Wausau, Wisconsin. Irene was a homemaker and at the age of 39 suffered her husband Frank’s untimely passing and learned to drive, manage finances, family and become independent. She obtained a job as a cook at the D.C. Everest school cafeteria and eventually moved to the country where she worked at Marceille’s Meats for many years. She also worked at a styrofoam factory and blinds factory until she retired at the age of 85. Irene was a lifelong devout member of the Catholic Church. She was quiet, strong, hardworking, independent and enjoyed gardening, baking, embroidery, coloring, reading, setting puzzles, and surrounded herself with family.
Survivors include, grandchildren Wendy (Randy) Rice, Westlake, Texas, Dean (Patty) Marceille, Wausau, Tim (Kelly) Marceille, Wausau, Jennifer (Jeff) Mucksavage, Oak Lawn, Illinois, Heather (Duane) Lopriore, North Granby, Connecticut, Paula (Eric) Bridgewater, Wausau, and Brenda (Clayton) Schwede, Rib Mountain. Irene was predeceased by grandchildren Frank Cherek, Curt Marceille, and Tammy Gass.
A visitation will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral service and Mass at 11 a.m., at the St. Therese Church, in Rothschild, Wisconsin.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Cady Home, the Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, and the Buettgen Funeral Home, who provided Irene with the most loving and gentle care at the end of her life’s journey.
Kenneth Stockinger
Kenneth G. Stockinger, 71, of Eland died on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at his home.
No formal services will be held at this time.
