Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Ambrose “Amp” Kulas
Ambrose “Amp” Kulas, 83, passed away at Mount View Care Center following a courageous three-year battle with ALS.
He was born Nov. 30, 1936, in the town of Johnson near Athens to John and Rose (Heibl) Kulas. He married his life partner Kathleen (Nehrbass) Feb. 20, 1964. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen, and daughter Cindy (Kaye Kolbe) Kulas and his special little dog Tishy, all of whom he adored.
Amp was very smart and a quick-witted jokester with a wonderful sense of humor and the most infectious laugh to go with it! He especially loved pranking his sisters-in-law. It seems he never met a stranger because he had such an easy way of making everyone a new friend along the way.
If something need to be fixed, he could pretty much always figure it out.
He took great pride in his large yard and garden and when he wasn’t out mowing lawn (lawn-mower races!), he would be out four-wheeling in the woods or fields of his beloved farm. He could often be found tinkering in his shed – wood working, having a Busch-Lite with a friend (or two!) or listening to polkas Saturday nights with Molly B and again on Sunday mornings. He loved ice fishing and just being outdoors.
After marrying, he worked at the former Kraft Foods plant in Milan, then bought and ran a dairy farm near Athens that he and his family worked for 12 years. After selling the cows, he worked as a carpenter and then with SD Ellenbecker until his retirement. Amp loved his work and had a great work ethic that isn’t the norm in today’s world.
Besides his wife, daughter and daughter-in-law, Ambrose is survived by a brother, David (Elvira) Kulas, a sister, Christina Dassow and sister-in-law Geraldine Kulas. He also is survived by sisters- and brothers-in-law LeAnne and Jerome Barttelt, Mary and Keith Leach and Lynn and Jeff Moore, step sister-in-law Sharon Holder and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers Sylvester Kulas,Ted (Estelle) Kulas and brother-in-law Lester Dassow; mother- and father-in-law Wilmer and Anita Nehrbass, brother- and sister-in-law Neil and Linda Nehrbass and step mother-in-law Elizabeth (Holder)Nehrbass.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St., Wausau. Private funeral services will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Northwood’s Vent Community at Mount View Care Center. Their kind and loving staff treated Ambrose with respect and dignity and have become our second family over the last three years. Their kindness and compassion will never be forgotten. Special thanks to Dave Hartman for his spiritual direction in these difficult times.
Dear Amp,
We miss you so much already and know that you are now with your heavenly family. There is no more suffering, no more pain, you can breathe again! We love you so very much.
Alan Okkonen
Alan J. Okkonen, 53, of Joliet, Illinois, passed away on Feb. 12, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital due to medical complications.
He was born April 13, 1966, in Wausau to Wilho and Hazel (Butler) Okkonen. Alan loved to golf and bowl. He was dedicated to his job as a regional manager at Chicago Testing Laboratories. Alan was very talented and could play multiple instruments, but especially enjoyed the piano, saxophone and bass. More than anything, Alan loved his family and spending time with them. In his later years, he found comfort watching movies and TV and playing games on his phone. He will be deeply missed.
Alan is survived by his mom, Hazel Okkonen; brother W. Matti (fiancée Kelsey Finke) Okkonen; sister Jackie (Johnny) Robinson; uncle Arnold Okkonen; nephews Erik Okkonen; niece Kasie Nichols; grandma Ruby Beasley; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his dad, Wilho Okkonen; brother Dale and sister Linda.
Services in Alan’s memory will be held at a later date.
Alan’s family wishes to thank the entire staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, especially the palliative care unit and specifically Dr. Adam Clements.
Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family. To share memories and condolences, please visit brainardfuneral.com.
Sai Lo
Sai Vue Lo, 66, a resident of Wausau, returned home to his Lord on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. He was born in Laos on Jan. 1, 1954.
In 1980, Sai arrived to the United States of America after finding refuge from the Vietnam War, ultimately making central Wisconsin his home since 1985.
Sai was a father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He loved and cared for his 10 children and gave them many cherished memories. He was a Christian man with a kind spirit who practiced his devotion and faith at Wesley United Methodist Church. Sai enjoyed being outdoors and could be found on his farm with his beloved animals.
He is survived by his 10 children, Elizabeth, Vang, Teng, Mai, Cheng, Fue, Mer, Zer, Ka Lia and Gao Ly and numerous grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Funeral services will be on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau.
Ronald “Frog” West
Ronald “Frog” J. West, 74, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at his home.
He was born June 6, 1945, in Antigo, son of the late Lurid “Stub” and Phyllis (Jessey) West. On March 23, 1976, he married Beth Manske in Wausau.
Ronald served his country in the United States Army and worked many years as a custodian for the Wausau School System. Frog loved hunting, fishing and going to their cabin in the woods. He was an excellent woodworker and enjoyed making wooden toy cars and trucks.
Survivors include his wife, Beth West, Wausau; sister, Esther West, Pearson; twin brother, Donald (Pat) West, Amherst Junction; brothers-in-law, Daniel (Barbara) Hermans, Neenah, Bob (Vicki) Hermans, Combined Locks, Edward “Scott” (Elizabeth) Manske, Neenah, and Thomas (Bonnie) Manske, Combined Locks; sisters-in-law, Lisa (Pat) O’Connor, Oshkosh and Susan (Randy) Blair, Appleton; many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Warner West and a brother-in-law, John Manske.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Visitation will be Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home.
Burial will be in Pearson Cemetery at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Thomas Rock
Thomas A. Rock, 67, passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at his home.
He was born Oct. 15, 1952, in Superior, son of the late John and Ruth (Murray) Rock.
Thomas was a talented computer programmer, working for various companies in his 42-year career. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching science fiction movies.
Survivors include his four siblings, Dr. Ann Rock, John (Kathy) Rock, Carolyn Hurley and Catherine Rock; three children, Michael (Zoua) Rock, Anne Franey and Matthew (Beth) Rock; seven grandchildren, and several nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Ron Kasiukewicz and Charles Hurley.
Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at Wausau Bible Church, 1300 Grand Ave., Wausau. Visitation will be Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.
Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Howard Engles
Howard Engles, born March 4, 1925, passed away Feb. 7, 2020, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, Wisconsin. Born in Moon, Wisconsin, to the late Sophie Antila and Louis Engles.
He married Evelyn Boumann Smith September 1944; she passed away May 1948. He married Myrtle Dorn Henrich April 1951; she passed away November 1995. He married Jeanne Denavant November 2003; she passed away January 2008.
Howard had a brother Harton Engles of Beloit, Wisconsin, who passed away in 1997. Howard has one sister Berverly Wischmeyer of Wausau, Wisconsin. He had four stepchildren, Jerry Smith, Waupaca, George Henrich, Merrill, Darlene Henrich Sann, deceased, Merrill, Dianne Henrich Belling, Merrill, Rita Engles Kimmins, Wausau, Judith Engles Schwemm, Merrill, 19 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.
Howard attended school in Wausau, the town of Texas and Purdue University. Howard was a mechanic, a farmer at A.B.S., technician and a logger. He also worked on the Garrison Dam in North Dakota. Howard was a member and a Deacon in the Living Church of God.
Graveside services will be held in the spring. Associate Pastor Mike Kreyer will officate at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.
Herbert Pehlke
Herbert J. Pehlke, 68, of Wittenberg died on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at Shawano Health Services.
He was born to Herbert G. and Dorothy (Grosskopf) Pehlke on May 22, 1951, in Wausau. Herbert was a proud U.S. Army Veteran and loved his freedoms. On Dec. 26, 1975, Herbert was united in marriage to Cheryl Wanta at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bowler.
The couple farmed in the town of Morris. Herbert loved tractors, steam shows and antique shows. He was a ‘Jack of all trades’ and was quite handy. He also loved to travel the United States. He most cherished the time with his granddaughter.
Herbert is survived by his wife, Cheryl Pehlke; two sons, Paul (Nancy) Pehlke of Wittenberg and Tim Pehlke of Wausau; granddaughter, Ruby; two siblings, Katherine (Dan) Ladwig of Bowler and Michael (Betty) Pehlke of Gresham, as well as other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis (Dan) Marquardt; mother and father-in-law, Irene and Bill Wanta Sr.; brother-in-law, Bill Wanta Jr. and a sister-in-law, Renee Meyer.
A Celebration of Life 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.
Paulette Domask
Paulette M. Domask, 56, of Bevent unexpectedly passed away on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at her home.
She was born to John and Agnes (Gruna) Wanta on July 3, 1963, in Wausau.
On Sept. 29, 1984, Paulette was united in marriage to James Domask at St. Therese Catholic Church, Schofield.
Paulette was employed as a receiving specialist at Shopko for 24 years. She was currently employed in the cafeteria for D.C. Everest. Paulette was an avid gardener and enjoyed canning. She enjoyed snowmobiling, shooting pool and spending time in her swimming pool. Most important was the time spent with her family, and she will be deeply missed.
Paulette is survived by her husband, Jim; mother Agnes Wanta of Weston; two daughters, Vicki (boyfriend Matt) Domask of Bevent and Miranda Domask of Wisconsin Rapids; three sisters, Maxine (Mike) Folz of Rothschild, Janet (Bob) Schmitz of Rib Mountain and Mary Jo (John) Kolbeck of Weston; her mother-in-law, Adeline Domask of Bevent; sisters-in-law, Judy (Kevin) Borski of Stevens Point and Bernice (Mike) Suwyn of Bevent; her special dog, Kira and grand-dog, Harper, as well as several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent. Fr. William Menzel will preside. Visitation will be on Saturday 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.
