Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Joanne Beckman
Joanne Beckman, née Ayres, 77, went home to her Lord and savior on Feb. 29 surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Joanne was born to Arnold and Ethel Ayres in Brodhead, Wisconsin. She graduated from Brodhead High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in music.
Joanne was a beloved music teacher at Horace Mann and John Muir middle schools for many years. She was also a private piano instructor and served as organist, choir and bell choir director at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Joanne’s giving spirit as well as her love and talent for music touched and inspired her family and countless people in the Wausau area over the years. Her steadfast faith in our lord and savior and her joyful spirit are an example for us all.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by Ronald, her loving husband of 54 years, children Jon (Jennifer), Laura, and Paul Beckman, and four grandchildren Audrey, Connor, Chloe and Chase Beckman, sister Margaret Lange, née Ayres, and brother Larry Ayres (Karen) and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 11a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2020, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wausau. The Rev. Niveen Sarras will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Burton “Bud” Flagel
Burton “Bud” L. Flagel, 92, died Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Rennes Health and Rehab, Weston.
He was born Feb. 13, 1928, in Wausau, son of the late Clifford and Opal (Schuster) Flagel. On Dec. 2, 1950, he married Georgianna Iversen at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau. She preceded him in death on Oct. 5, 2015.
From 1947 until 1950, Bud served in the United States Air Force and participated in the Berlin Airlift. For many years, he worked as a transportation manager for the former Murray Machinery in Wausau until his retirement. In his younger years, Bud was an active member of the Wausau Area Jaycees and later joined the Town of Maine Lions Club.
Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed reading, puzzles and loved listening to music.
Survivors include two children, Craig (Cathy) Flagel of Plover and Barb (Mark) Splinter of Rib Mountain; three grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Flagel of Wisconsin Rapids, Paul (Rachael) Splinter of Wausau and Robert (Katy) Splinter of Wausau; four great-grandsons; three great-granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and wife, Georgianna, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jennifer Flagel; and his sister, Betty Eggebrecht.
Private services will be held. Entombment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Elaine for her friendship, help and support as well as Dr. M. Patrick Kehoe and his staff for the wonderful care and support for Bud and his family.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Leonard “Len” Urban
Leonard N. “Len” Urban, 79, of the town of Marathon died Sunday, March 1, 2020, at his home under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and his family.
He was born April 10, 1940, in Mosinee, son of the late John and Antonia Urban. On July 24, 1994, he married Carol Carr Burkett and was formerly married to Judy (Hett) and they had one son, Daniel Urban.
His passion was iron working and fabrication, creating many custom pieces, gates, railings and steel staircases as owner of Urban Iron Works while also a welding instructor at NCTC. Former employments included The Olde Iron Shoppe in Mosinee and J.I. Case (Drott) for over 20 years. In his younger years, Len was a Golden Gloves Boxer.
Len had been a Mason and Shriner for over 50 years. He was a member of the Mosinee Masonic Lodge, Eau Claire Consistory 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Forest Lodge of Wausau. He was also a member of the Elk’s Lodge No. 248, Wausau.
Survivors include his wife, Carol, son, Daniel (Erika) Urban and their children, Elsie and Miles Urban; brothers, Bill (Helen) Urban, Wesley (Barb) Urban; sister, Marie Franks; stepchildren, Carrie (Rick) Uhlig and their children, Brittini, Stephanie and Halie. Christy Gresens and her children, Reid, Grant and Paige. Casey (Laura) Burkett and their children, Lincoln and Lydia; great grandchildren, Myla and Nora; mother-in-law, Leona Carr; brothers and sisters-in-law, Wayne (Char) Carr, Dale Carr, Diane (Robert Sekorski) Carr, Gary Carr, Randy (Cheri) Carr, Brian (Judy) Carr, Lynn (Lynn Berry) Carr-Berry and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Aaron Urban, a brother-in-law, John Franks, a sister-in-law, Doreen Carr, and his father-in-law, Marcel Carr.
Memorial Services will be held at noon, Friday, March 6, 2020, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Kevin Sorenson, Forest Lodge Worshipful Master of the Wausau Masonic Lodge, will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the Stewart Avenue funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Aspirus Cancer Center or the Shriners Hospital for Children at ZOR Shrine Center, 575 ZOR Shrine Place, Madison, WI 53719
The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Dr. Niaz Haque and the Aspirus Oncology Clinic Staff, including all at Aspirus Wausau Hospital who cared for Len.
Roger Landwehr
Roger A. Landwehr, 88, Wausau, passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2020, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
He was born March 15, 1931, to the late John and Alinda (Weisman) in Elkhart, Indiana. Roger loved and lived life to the fullest. He built many houses throughout the area. He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time at the cabin with his sons and nephews. Roger never missed his weekly trips to the casino and to play bingo and liked to spend his free time baking (each of his kids got a fresh baked pie on their birthday), going to garage sales, canning, wine making, planning meals for him and his wife while she was still working. He had many great times traveling in his camper with Juanita over the years.
Roger is survived by his wife, Juanita; six children, Gregory (Joan), Lorell (Julie), LouAnn (Mark) Witucki, Ken, Rick and Lori (Allen) Stieber; daughter-in-law, Sally; sister, Joyce (Frank) Wojcik; stepchildren, Craig (Jean), Kyle (Jeannie), Lyle, Lona (Roger) Sarasin; 21 grandchildren: Shannon, Robert, Kurt, Ryan, Kim, Derek, Tracie, Paul, Tanya, Tyler, Hayden, Daniel, Dylan, Justin, Julia, Renee, Mike, Cory, Erich, John and Kyle; many great-grandchildren many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie (Kobs) Landwehr; son, Randal and stepson, Andy; granddaughter, Samantha; sisters, Ruth, Mildred, Angeline and Irene; brothers, Lawrence, Roland and Benny.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2020, at Helke Funeral Home. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, at Helke Funeral Home; resuming at 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of Marathon County, 7001 Packer Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the nurses and staff of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their compassionate care for Roger.
Grace Lamberg
Grace Beverly Lamberg, 86, passed away March 2, 2020, at Copperleaf Assisted Living, Marathon, Wisconsin. She was born March 7, 1933, in Spooner, Wisconsin, to Gail and Nellie (Vincent) Lawler. She married Allen Lamberg, Nov. 24, 1950, in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death Dec. 8, 2003. For many years they lived in Superior, Wisconsin, then in 1972 they moved to Kinney, Minnesota. After her husband’s death, Grace moved to Edgar, Wisconsin, to be near her son.
Grace was a stay-at-home Mom and cared well for her home and family. She treasured time with family and cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren, showing her love and support in a myriad of ways. She enjoyed long walks, the Wisconsin Valley Fair and music, especially hymns of the faith.
She will be sadly missed by: son, Douglas (Sandy) Lamberg; daughter, Cindy (Ritch) Jarvi, Hibbing, Minnesota; grandchildren, Jason (Michelle) Diamon, Desiree (Roy) Skadal, Mitchell (Kori) Lamberg; great-grandchildren Jasmine Diamon, Tanner Ess, Tyler (Kennedy) Lamberg, Cartier Diamon, Alex and Ada Skadal and Alyson Lamberg; her brother James (Charlene) Lawler; sisters Sue Bolos and Linda (Richard) Hankins. Grace was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Gerald, Robert and John; sister Joyce Frahm and grandson Jarrod Lamberg.
Grace’s family is deeply grateful for three years of dedicated and loving care provided by the staff of Copperleaf, Marathon, and more recently by Beth of Aspirus Hospice.
A celebration of Grace’s life will be held at a future date in Gordon, Wisconsin.
Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. Online condolences maybe expressed at HonorOne.com.
Russell Watling
Russell W. Watling passed from this life Feb. 28, 2020, at Lake View Heights Care Center.
Russell was born on June 10, 1921, to Cora and William Watling in Marcellon township, Wisconsin. Russell graduated from Portage High School in 1939. Following graduation, he worked on the family farm until World War II, when he volunteered for the V-5 Naval Aviation Cadet Program. He served in the U.S. Navy until his discharge in 1946. Without formal engineering training, Russell forged a successful career as a fire protection engineer with Insurance Services Office of Wisconsin.
Russell married Ruth Mary McDermott on Jan. 27, 1951. Russell is survived by Ruth and their four daughters and their spouses, Joan (Paul Rahn), Kathleen (Kenneth Teclaw), Mary (Gregg Meschler) and Nancy (Michael McHugh), grandchildren Russell and Kelly (spouse Omot Akway) Meschler, Mary (spouse Tony Ciano) and David (fiancée Kendra Lenius) Teclaw, and Ian Clare (fiancée Carly Bishop), and great-grandchildren Ruthy and Miriam Ciano, Emilee Teclaw-Birkholtz, and Llewyn Akway.
Russell’s interests included flying and anything aviation related, golfing, bowling, music and amateur radio (KB9CKR).
The funeral Mass will be held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Rothschild, on March 5, 2020, at 11:30 a.m.
The Watling family extends their deepest thanks and appreciation for the staff of Lake View Heights for their compassionate care for Russell as he completed his journey in this life.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.
Raymond Groshek
Raymond ‘Leroy’ Groshek, 85, of Amherst Junction died on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at his home under the dedicated care of his wife and Heartland Hospice.
Ray was the first born of 12 children to Raymond and Regina (Stroik) Groshek on a very cold 18th day of January in 1935 and was raised on a small dairy farm in Galloway.
Ray graduated from Wittenberg High School in 1952. He served as a proud patriot in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War era from 1953 to 1956.
After leaving the Marine Corps, he returned to Wisconsin and in 1959, he married Patricia Pehowski. They settled in Milwaukee and began a family of five children.
Ray took advantage of the GI Bill and earned a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from MSOE. He then accepted a position at General Motors and worked in the Delco Electronics division. His main work was the moon guidance system for the government Apollo Program.
On Feb. 5, 1999, Ray was united in marriage to Carol (Lepak) Casper in Wausau. The couple relocated to central Wisconsin after Ray’s retirement from GM in 2000.
Ray was very proud of his Polish heritage and spent 60 years dedicated to genealogy research in this area. He considered this his life’s avocation and donated his work to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
He loved various types of music, with Mozart being his favorite composer. In his younger years, he loved playing alto saxophone in a local band. Ray was also an avid reader, especially of all things history or religion.
At a very young age, he was nicknamed “Lone Star,” a description of a personality trait that can be attributed to him throughout his life. For fun, Ray was a big fan of John Wayne and saw every movie that he made.
Late in life, Ray developed quite an affinity for cats. He related to them in a very nurturing way and found them to be his friend.
Ray was dedicated to his family and stressed the value of education and a good work ethic. A highlight in his life was to take the trip with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.
Ray is survived by his wife, Carol Casper of Amherst Junction; his children, Ramona (Lynden ‘Jack’) Wenger of Atlanta, Georgia, June (Peter) Czarnezki of South Milwaukee, Faye (Joseph) Nievinski of Eland and Christopher (Michelle) Groshek of Milwaukee; two stepchildren, Brian Casper of Colgate and Kevin Casper of Germantown; five grandchildren, Amanda (Kersey) Resch, Amelia Nievinski, Jarrett Nievinski, Mark Czarnezki and Spencer Czarnezki and a brand new great grandson, Milo Resch. In addition, he was also called ‘grandpa’ by extended ‘family’ Autumn Shaw. He is further survived by his brothers, Ralph (Betty) Groshek, Ronald (Helen) Groshek, Joseph (Susan) Groshek, Frederick (Elaine) Groshek, George (Barbara) Groshek and Clifford (Bonnie) Groshek; his sisters, Joyce Bembenek and Natalie (Wayne) Staley; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Groshek and Virginia Groshek; as well as his former wife and many other relatives and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his son Jeffrey Groshek; three brothers, Mark Groshek, Dennis Groshek and Norbert Groshek and a brother-in-law, Walter Bembenek.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Galloway. Military rites will be conducted by the Elderon Memorial Post #8068 VFW following the mass. Fr. Augustine Bentil will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
The family would like to thank the staff of Heartland Hospice for the love and support that was shown to Raymond and his family. And special thanks to Maggie and his second family at Ascension Plover Rehab Center.
