Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Donald Kimlicka, Sr.
Donald F. Kimlicka, Sr., 89, of Weston, passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 7, 2020.
Donald was born on Feb. 19, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Frank and Angeline (Leszczynski) Kimlicka. He attended Annunciation School and graduated from Holy Trinity High School.
He married Sylvia Czeropski on Nov. 6, 1954, in Chicago. At the age of 16, Donald worked for Chicago Rawhide and left to join the Marine Corps, serving his country from 1951 to 1953, being discharged as a sergeant. Upon being discharged, Donald went back to work at Chicago Rawhide, retiring just short of his 50th year. He and Sylvia moved to Weston in 2007. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, casino trips, puzzle books and was a Chicago sports fan.
Donald was devoted to his four children, Susan (Donald) Rabe of Carpentersville, Illinois, Shirley (Ronald) Golec of Minocqua, Donald (Karla) Kimlicka, Jr. of Weston and James Kimlicka (Brenda Pennington) of Elgin, Illinois. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Gayle (Merrick) Moeller, Korey Kimlicka and Sara (Patrick) Gerhardt, all of Illinois; great granddaughter, Adelia Rose Kimlicka; brother, Robert (Alice) Kimlicka; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and granddaughter Amy Sue.
It was Donald’s request that no services be held.
Memorials in Donald’s name may be directed to Mercy Ships by visiting www.mercyships.org.
Gerald Gertschen
Gerald G. Gertschen, 93, of Wausau passed away peacefully at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Feb. 5, 2020.
He was born to the late Clarence and Emma (Bartelt) Gertschen. Gerald was actively involved in his community and organizations in the Wausau area. He held many jobs- most recently as Clerk of Courts for Marathon County and was a partner in Polka Productions. Gerald was a world traveler with Polka Productions and met a lot of people that way. He was very proud of serving his country in the Navy during World War II. He married Lenore Arnette on July 22, 1950, in Wausau. She survives. Together, they had three children, all of whom survive: Robert (Chris) Gertschen, Patty (Tom) Hall and David Gertschen. He is further survived by two grandchildren: Katie Allen and Mark Hall; two great-grandchildren: Gavin Hall and Russell Allen; and sister Phyllis Lange. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jim and Glen.
It was Geralds request that there be no services. Private family burial will be held at a later date.
Brainard Funeral Home- Wausau Chapel is assisting the family. To share memories and condolences with his family, visit brainardfuneral.com.
Wayne “Chris” Christiansen
Wayne R. “Chris” Christiansen, 73, Wausau, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, at the Hospice House.
He was born June 14, 1946, in Wausau, son of the late August and Louise (Thomas) Christiansen. On Aug. 30, 1969, he married Virginia Olejniczak at Holy Name Catholic Church, Wausau. She survives.
He proudly served his county as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War. Prior to his retirement, Chris had been employed at Crestline/SNE and later as a part-time shuttle driver for Brickner’s of Wausau.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia, one daughter, Courtney (James) Day, Franklin, one grandson, Edward, one step-grandson, Tyler and two sisters, Janette and Joyce.
Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. Samuel Martin will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion, Montgomery-Plant-Dudly Post No. 10, Wausau. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park in the spring. Visitation will be on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at the Sixth Street funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Jane Krueger
Jane L. Krueger, 95, passed peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, under the care of Interim Hospice at Pride TLC, Schofield.
She was born Jan. 3, 1925, in Fulton, New York, daughter of the late Paul and Catherine (Dominski) Shepanik. On Sept. 24, 1949, she married Douglas Krueger at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau. He survives.
Jane lived most of her life in the Wausau area, and was a charter member of St. Anne Catholic Church. She worked as a nursing assistant in the nursery at St. Mary’s Hospital in Wausau. After her marriage, she devoted her life to full-time homemaking and motherhood.
Jane and Doug celebrated 70 blessed years of marriage together. Their love and deep Christian faith will forever serve as inspiration for their family, as well as all who knew them.
Jane was a devoted wife and mother, treasuring the time and activities spent with family. They included camping, fishing, blueberry picking and travel – especially trips to Florida. She was also an avid Green Bay Packers football fan.
In addition to her husband Doug, Jane is survived by three daughters, Barbara (Robert) Zimmermann, Patti (Steve) Baerenwald, and Karen Beets; two sons, Michael (Debra) Krueger, and Timothy (Mary) Krueger; 12 grandchildren, Matthew (Jaime) Zimmermann, Sara Zimmermann, Jeremy (Renee) Zimmermann, Erin Zimmermann, Jennifer (Nic) Schmeiser, Jamee Baerenwald, Jessica (Jason) Bentley, Diana (Jordan) Tronier, Samantha (Travis) Salter, Emily Beets, Kristin (Barry) Heier, and Danica (Andy) Szekeress; and 22 great grandchildren, Mallory, Jessa, and Jasmine Zimmermann, Cruz, Waverly, and Finn Zimmermann, Cailyn Schmeiser, Alissa (Travis) Biever, William and Cameryn Bentley, Gabriel, Jacob, and Joshua Grant, Veronica and Vanessa Salter, Benjamin and Michael Quam, Isaiah, Evan, and Faye Heier, and Cooper and Claudia Szekeress, a sister-in-law, Marlys Shepanik, and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Jane was preceded in death by three brothers, Ignatz, Joseph, and Louie Shepanik, one sister, Valeria Raasch, an infant son, John Krueger, and one infant great-grandchild, Annistin Zimmermann.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who helped care for Jane, including Interim Hospice Care, the entire staff at Pride TLC, St. Clare Hospital, Ascension Home Health Care, Lakeland Care, and her physician and staff at Marshfield Clinic, Stettin Center.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at St. Anne Parish, Wausau. Rev. Frank Corradi will preside. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services, all at St. Anne Parish, Wausau.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Arlene Zuber
Visitation and Mass will be held at St. Ladislaus Parish, 5345 W. Roscoe St., Chicago, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, with visitation at 11:30 a.m. and Mass at 12:30 p.m. Enterment will take place after Mass at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.
