Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Moses Sparks
Moses Ezekiel Sparks, 85, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, at Care Partners, Weston, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
He was born June 9, 1934, in Alabama, son of the late Moses and Alva (Alexander) Sparks. On Jan. 11, 1955, he married Martha Nash. She survives.
Moses proudly served his country and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. For almost 40 years he had been employed with the Holiday Inn, where he began as a desk clerk and worked his way up the ranks, retiring as a regional manager. He served as past president of the Wisconsin Innkeepers Association and was actively involved in the Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce.
Known for his great story telling abilities, Moses was considered quite an attraction in this area with his strong Southern accent and practical joking. He was an avid golfer through the years, having eight holes-in-one to his credit.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Sparks; six children, Moses (Tammy) Sparks, Burbank, California, Sharon (Daniel) Storts, Hermitage, Tennessee, Susan (Michael) Breese, Wausau, Wisconsin, Ernie (Klaya Reinke) Sparks, Motley, Minnesota, Nancy (Russ Roper) Sparks, Appleton, Wisconsin, Tony Sparks, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer Joannon, Wausau, Wisconsin, and her children Jacob, Jared, Joshua and Jaden Joannon and Carly Barthels, Sarah (Mark) Schroeder, Edgar, Wisconsin, and their children Lily, Norah and Emmett, Benjamin Breese (Amalia Becker) Madison, Wisconsin, Samuel Breese (Alyse Weber) Madison, Wisconsin, Rhiannon Rolson, Spring Hill, Tennessee, and her children Addie Pennington and Skylar and Max Kyle, Zachary Besaw (Jenn Swartwout) Mountlake Terrace, Washington, Jessica (Benjamin) Sorenson, Maple Grove, Minnesota, and their children Oliver and Elliott, Kevin Sparks, Richfield, Minnesota, Ken Sparks, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Zoe Sparks, Burbank, California, and Duncan Sparks, Burbank, California.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister.
Visitation will be on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, with services beginning at noon on Saturday. Following services, full Military Honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post No. 10, Wausau.
The family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to the staff at Care Partners of Weston and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the care and support provided to Moses and the family.
Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Robert Schneeberger Sr.
Robert “Bob” A. Schneeberger Sr., 87, Marathon, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born May 19, 1932, in Wauwatosa, son of the late Leonard and Alice (Pleva) Schneeberger. On Oct. 23, 1954, he married Joan M. Gebhardt at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elm Grove. She preceded him in death on Nov. 6, 2019.
Bob was a member of the United States Army and served during the Korean War. For many years, Bob, along with his wife, Joan owned and operated the former Bob’s Cassel Bar in the town of Cassel and grew ginseng in Marathon. Bob also enjoyed driving a truck and working as an escort driver for B & K Trucking, Marathon. In his younger years, his hobbies included hunting and fishing, but in his later years, he loved cheering on the grandchildren at their numerous sporting events. Bob also was known to enjoy an occasional trip to the casino.
Survivors include his three children, Linda (Gregg) Gassner, Wausau, Robert Schneeberger Jr., Mosinee and Gerald (Toni) Schneeberger, Edgar; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Sulzer, Ryan Gassner, Kelsi and Jordan Schneeberger, Ashley (Andre) Tackes, Zachary and Lindsey Schneeberger; and two sisters-in-law, Bernice Stephens, Menomonee Falls and Carol Karbowski, Sun City West, Arizona.
Besides his parents and wife, Joan, he was preceded in death by his daughter Bette (Daniel) Sulzer; and two brothers, Leonard and Gerald.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. until time of services at the church. Full military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post No. 469, Marathon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Harvey Ohde
Harvey H. Ohde, 75, of Wausau went home to his Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Benedictine Living Center, Wausau.
He was born June 15, 1944, in the town of Rib Falls, son of the late Louis and Bernadine (Wilde) Ohde. On Dec. 16, 1972, he married Linda Bacon in Wausau. She survives.
Harvey worked at numerous lumber companies and also in area shang gardens. Some of his favorite pastimes included being with family and friends, playing cards, watching westerns, “The Price is Right” and “Wheel of Fortune.” He also enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting.
Harvey served his country in the United States Army from 1969 until 1971 during the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Ohde, Wausau, his children, Terri (Brad) Kankelfitz, Susan Ohde and Charlotte (Matt) Stenberg, his grandchildren, Erica Ohde, Corwin, Kankelfitz, KayLee Kankelfitz, and Tamara Stenberg. Harvey is further survived by his siblings, Roger (Diane) Wilde, Pleasant Prairie, Jerry (Ann) Ohde, Wausau, Norbert (Roxanne) Ohde, Wausau, Diane (Ronny) Schulz, Wausau and sister-in-law, Sharon Ohde, Wausau and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Merlin and Johnny, stepdaughter, LeAnn Bacon and niece Joyce Rohmeyer.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Wausau. The Rev. Eric Hauan will officiate. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, town of Berlin. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services, all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements.
Harvey’s family would like to send a special thanks to Harvey’s best friend James Kohnhorst, and also to Palliative Care and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and all the loving caretakers at Benedictine Living Center for the outstanding care they gave to Harvey during his time with them.
Ruth Torgerson
Ruth Torgerson, 77, of Wausau passed away with family by her side on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 27. She is survived by her husband, Warren, her brother David (Theresa) Kufalk, her daughters, Wendy Torgerson and Heidi (Andy) Hahn, and grandchildren Julia and Mathias Hahn.
As well as being a loving wife and mother, a committed grandma, and a great friend, Ruth spent her life doing things she loved dearly. For years she was active in the Wausau Women’s Bowling Association, led her daughters’ Girl Scout troops, and faithfully volunteered at the girls’ schools and for Wausau Hospital’s baby photos program. Her career as a para-professional at Thomas Jefferson Elementary and John Muir Middle School touched the lives of students and staff alike. After retirement, Ruth could be found doing the daily crossword, rooting on Dale Earnhardt, Jr., making puzzles, or creating beautiful counted cross-stitch. And, of course, snuggling on the couch with the grandchildren and grand-pups. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.
Warren, Wendy and Heidi would like to thank the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home’s Special Care Unit for their loving care over the last year and a half.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at a future date.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences maybe expressed at HonorOne.com.
Lucille Fisher
Lucille Clara (Hennig) Fisher of Rothschild was welcomed into her heavenly home on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Lucille (Hennig) Fisher was born to Alfred and Frances (Riehle) Hennig on Feb. 6, 1926, in Athens, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of seven children. She attended primary school at St. Anthony’s Catholic Elementary in Athens. At the age of 14, she left home to continue her Catholic education at Aquinas High School in La Crosse. She received high honors for her Latin studies and graduated salutatorian of her class. She then moved to Wausau to earn a degree at St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing. She continued to work for St. Mary’s Hospital, where she met her husband, Anthony Fisher. Lucille was the nurse caring for Anthony’s good friend at the time. It was love at first sight as Tony said to his friend, “That’s the girl I am going to marry.” They married in October of 1948 and were blessed with nine children. She continued her nursing career before becoming a full-time homemaker. All nine children graduated from St. Therese Catholic grade school. Lucille was a devoted mother and loving wife. Her husband was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 36. Lucille cared for him, in their home, for eight years while still raising their children. Her dedication to her faith and family, although often challenged, never waivered.
Lucille was a member of The Little Flower Council of St. Therese and Catholic Daughters of America. She still found time for the things she enjoyed; gardening, crafting, cooking, playing the organ and sewing. She occasionally got together with friends for a game of bridge but also loved her mornings doing crossword puzzles. She loved watching birds, growing flowers and making campfires. She especially enjoyed watching the Badgers, Packers and Brewers. Attending the events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, through the years, brought her much joy. She was the kindest person and always put others before herself.
She is survived by her children; Jerome of Lakeland, Minnesota, Bernard of Wausau, Francis (Kay) of Schofield, Julie Gazin of Houston, Texas, Gerard (Monica) of Ringle, Greg (Kim) of Ringle, Monica Howe of Wausau, Cynthia Fehlandt of Weston and 28 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband (Anthony); parents (Alfred and Francis Hennig); sisters (Verene Sorenson, Rosalia Hennig “Sister Flavia,”- FSPA and Margaret Framke); brothers (Carl, Clarence and Edward); son (Michael Fisher); daughter-in-law (Claudene Fisher); son-in-laws (Tim Fehlandt and David Howe); great-grand-children (Kelson Fisher and Chloe Fisher)
The Rosary will be said at 9 a.m. Monday, March 9, at St. Therese Catholic Parish in Rothschild. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 with Catholic Mass and luncheon to follow. Presided by Father Albert of St. Therese is Monsignor Joseph Diermeier of St. Mary’s Marathon. A private burial at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Rothschild, will be a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the Fisher family. The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. The family wishes to thank all those involved in caring for Lucille, especially in her later years. A special thank you to the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice. The family would like to mention Lucille’s niece, Linda Kamke, for her regular visits and love.
