Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Zita Moeser
Zita L. Moeser, 90, of Wausau died on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Mount View Care Center.
Zita was born on March 24, 1929, in Wausau to the late Gustav and Frieda (Schlund) Schlei. She married Bobby Moeser on Oct. 8, 1949. Together, Zita and Bobby enjoyed traveling. Zita loved cooking, baking, and had quite the collection of cookbooks from local churches. She also enjoyed card club with her friends. She was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau.
Zita is survived by her daughter-in-law Carrie Moeser and grandson Kyle Moeser.
Zita is preceded in death by her husband, parents and son Dave Moeser.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at 5 p.m. at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St., Wausau. The Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Mount View Care Center and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice for their tender care of Zita.
Charlotte Zyduck
Charlotte E. Zyduck, 80, Weston, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
She was born Nov. 18, 1939, in Wausau, daughter of the late George and Mary (Fitch) Shidell. On Oct. 19, 1957, she married Stanley Zyduck at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. He survives.
Charlotte wore many hats during her working career to include working as a switchboard operator for GTE Telephone Company, line worker at Marathon Battery, working in the meat department at Kohlman’s IGA and later employed with Schofield Enterprises. Among her favorite pastimes, she liked to bowl and spend time with her family.
Charlotte and Stanley enjoyed being foster parents to many children over the years.
Survivors include her husband, Stanley; five children, Tammy (Kevin) Robbins, Mosinee, Perry (Sharon) Zyduck, Scott City, MO, Kim (Steve) Pluger, Hatley, Jay (Kim) Zyduck, Mosinee and Sean Zyduck Wausau; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters-in-law, Mary Shidell, Mississippi, Pat Golembiewski, Kronenwetter and Mary (Dennis) Evenson, Minocqua; one brother-in-law, Ron Zyduck, Kronenwetter; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three siblings, Sally Fons, Beverly Shidell and Chalmer Shidell.
Funeral services will be at noon on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Covenant Community Presbyterian Church, Weston. Rev. Jim Gates will officiate. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Barbara Gauerke
Barbara A. Gauerke, 83, Wausau, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, at North Central Health Care Center, Wausau.
She was born May 16, 1936, in Medford, daughter of the late Richard and Anna (Demerath) White. On May 16, 1964, she married Robert J. Gauerke at St. Anne Catholic Church. He preceded her in death Nov. 7, 2002.
After high school, Barb had been employed at Wausau Insurance and after the birth of her daughter, Beth, she became a stay-at-home mom. Later, she worked in the kitchen and library at Holy Name Catholic School. Among her favorite things to do were, reading, puzzle books, bird watching, and she was an avid Packers fan.
Survivors include her daughter Beth (Pat Bazan) Gazda, Vulcan, Mich., a grandson, Zachery Gazda, Beth’s stepdaughter, Marissa (Trevor) Bazan; siblings, Nancy (James) Ortlieb, Dorchester, Grant White, Onalaska; brothers-in-law, Gary Gauerke and James (Sue) Gauerke, all of Wausau.
Besides her parents and husband, Barb was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Fleischmann.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2020, at Holy Name Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Samuel Martin will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Randal “Randy” Adams
Randal A. “Randy” Adams, 57, Wausau passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born Nov. 12, 1962, in Wausau, son of the late Stanley and Arlene (Zemke) Adams. On January 27, 1984, he married Charlet VanDerGeest in Wausau. She survives.
Randy was a talented chef and worked in culinary business for 30 years. He enjoyed cooking, golfing, the Packers, Badgers and Brewers. Randy was a devoted husband and father who always put his family first.
Survivors include his wife, Charlet Adams, Wausau, his son, Chad (fiancée Brittany Suwyn) Adams, Wausau, his brother, Merlin (Kim) Adams, Ironwood, Michigan, and his nephew, Tyler (Jenny) Adams, Michigan. Randy is further survived by five sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law and many friends and co-workers.
A memorial visitation will take place on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Betty Baumann
Betty Jane Baumann, 90, Wausau, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born July 13, 1929, in Wausau, daughter of the late Edward and Agnes (Furger) Wadzinski. On Sept. 9, 1953, she married Charles Baumann in Wausau. He preceded her in death Oct. 18, 2008.
Betty Jane was a wonderful homemaker and partnered with her husband, Charles, managing the family dairy farm. She was an active member of the PTA, the Ladies of Loretta and PCCW at the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wausau. She enjoyed the monthly meetings with the local farmers’ wives group they affectionately referred themselves as the ‘Gabby Club’. In the most recent years she enjoyed the camaraderie volunteering at Bethesda Thrift Shop.
Survivors include her children, Ann (John) Curry, Shoreview, Minnesota, Diana (Paul) Hase, Wausau, Allan (Darsi) Baumann, Wausau; nine grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; siblings, Delmar Wadzinski, Tomahawk, Arlene Lenard, Wausau, Chuck Wadzinski, Wausau.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon, Friday, Feb, 28, 2020, at Holy Name Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Samuel Martin will preside. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be on Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Charles Venske
Charles D. Venske, 63, town of Bevent, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, at his home.
Charles was born Feb. 7, 1957, in Wausau to Frank and the late Estlene “Eddie” (Bryant) Venske. Following his graduation from Wausau West High School in 1975 he went on to earn an Associate Degree in business. He proudly earned his Eagle Scout rank with the Boy Scouts. Charles married Barbara Glenetski on Oct. 14, 1989, in Rib Mountain. The couple were blessed with two children, Victoria and Steve. Over the years, Charles worked at several jobs in the Wausau area.
Charles was a very loving husband and father and devoted grandfather to his darling “Kahli-kins” who he loved spending time with. He was a very hardworking man who was always willing to help others with his caring and thoughtful manner. Charles enjoyed traveling throughout the country, visiting 35 states over the years, and especially enjoyed seeking out lighthouses.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Barbara; children, Victoria (Jesse Heslip) Venske and Steve Venske; granddaughter, Kahli; father, Frank Venske; siblings, Renee (Wayne) Wiedeman, David Venske and Christopher (Kerri) Venske; nephew, Keith (Norma) Wiedeman and extended family and friends.
The funeral service for Charles will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Helke Funeral Home. Rev. Sid Bouldin will officiate. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
The family wishes to thank the EMTs and Marathon County Sherriff’s Department for their compassion and care for Charles.
Gale Pollard
Gale Pollard, 65, passed away on Jan. 24, 2020. She was born on Sept. 12, 1954, to the late Gloria (Ames) Betts.
Gale worked as a CNA and a personal care worker. After retiring, she moved to Iowa.
Gale is survived by her three sons, Allen (Carrie) Betts, Charlie and John Betts; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Lori (Randy) Moore; brothers, Alec III (Sally) Betts and Maurice Betts; and sister-in-law, Mary Betts. She was preceded in death by a brother, Brad (Buddy) Betts and nephew, J. Troy Moore.
Service will be at 3:30 p.m. on March 2, 2020, at the Downtown Mission Church, 310 N. Fourth St., Wausau.
Shelly Grosskreutz
Shelly A Grosskreutz, 42, passed away Feb. 23, 2020, at her home.
She was born Sept. 15, 1977, to Burt Grosskreutz and Kathy (Rainville) Grosskreutz in Wausau, Wisconsin.
She was a stay-at-home mom who took care of her son Michael and the family. Shelly was one of the kindest, strongest people. She made sure everyone was taken care of and always put others before herself. She had many friends and family who enjoyed her company. She loved playing poker and any sort of card and dice games with loved ones. The room was never quiet with Shelly there. She always made her presence known with her jokes and ability to make everyone laugh.
She is survived by her boyfriend, Pao; daughter, Kaylana; son, Michael; mother, Kathy; father, Burt; sisters, Lisa and Laura; many nieces, nephews, cousins, many more family members and friends.
Anyone who was lucky enough to know Shelly and would like to celebrate her life, we invite you to attend her celebration of life service at John J Buettgen, 948 Grand Ave., Schofield, WI 54476 on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Benjamin Guite
Benjamin L. (Gentle Ben), Guite, 86, of Rothschild passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, under the care of Aspirus Hospice House after a long battle with multiple cancers.
Benjamin was born Jan. 1, 1934, in Wisconsin, son of the late Roy and Edna (Lancett) Guite.
He has touched many lives with his kindness and caring heart always putting his family and friends first and helping others. Not only was spending time with his family and friends important to Ben, he was a big fan of the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed grilling his famous BBQ ribs for family and friends, loved his beer, and spending time in Florida during the winter months or he might have just loved driving Betty to the ocean because he did not love water. Ben had a love of horses and was a champion horseman in 1965 with Copper Baby and rode Man o’ War’s last son to victory in his final race. He was often asked for advice in the horse community about training and purchasing winners. Then came the love of the 18-wheeler where he continued down the road until he was 84 years old. Ben stepped away from the wheel for a brief time when he opened up Gentle Ben’s Tavern in Mosinee, Wisconsin. Then with a road map of the United States and Southern Canada in his head, he was back in the 18-wheeler as the owner/operator for Guite Trucking. Remaining behind the wheel after retirement, Ben continued to drive full- and part-time for many years.
Survivors include the love of his life, Betty Hole, sister, Lorna Armstrong, his children, Kathy (Don) Steinbeck, Greg (Tammy) Guite, Victoria Rosenow, Richard Guite, Christine Guite, Kenny (Jerri) Guite, Patty Guite, and Debra Guite, and “adopted” daughters Debra Clark, Kathy (Dean) Krueger, Tammy Hole, and Cheri Hole, along with 80+ grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Ronald Guite and a son, Benji Guite.
Visitation is on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at St. Marks Catholic Church in Rothschild, Wisconsin, from 10 a.m. until noon. Mass will be held at noon, when Father Alan Slowiak will officiate.
Online condolences may be expressed at honorone.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Benjamin’s name can be made to the charity of choice.
