Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Dennis Wolfe
Dennis Wolfe, 71, of Wausau died unexpectedly March 15, 2020, at Ascension Saint Clare’s Hospital surrounded by his family.
Dennis was born Dec. 15, 1948, in Wausau to the late Walter and Doris (Lindberg) Wolfe. He attended Wausau Senior High and then went on to an auto mechanics school in Ashland, Wisconsin. Dennis was a proud U.S. Army veteran who fought in the Vietnam war. He worked in the Murray Foundry, Sonoco, and Fahrner Asphalt, from where he retired. Dennis grew his family with two children, Stacy and Scott, three grandchildren- twins Alexis and Tessa, and Isabelle. He loved them all dearly. Dennis loved going to his camper up at Walleye Lodge with his brothers to fish. He also liked to hunt at his brothers hunting shack. We will remember Dennis for his kindness and his loving spirit, and he will be greatly missed.
Dennis is survived by children Scott Wolfe and Stacy Wergin; grandchildren Alexis, Tessa and Isabelle; siblings Julie (Randy) Cheyka-Sawyer, Sherry (Leroy) Wanta, Clark (Mary) Wolfe and Duane (Liz) Wolfe; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Dennis’ family.
James Garske
James “Chief” Garske passed away Saturday, March 14, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 90.
Jim was the first son of James Garske and Catherine Knaack. He was born Feb. 20, 1930, in Wausau. Jim joined the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and was stationed at Travis AFB in California. Jim married Carol Urmanski while home on furlough in Wausau on June 25, 1952. The couple returned to California where they made their first home in the city of Napa. They lived in California for 16 years and had four children.
Jim had more than a 27-year career with the U.S. Air Force and retired at the rank of Chief Master Sargent with the title of Flight Line and Maintenance Superintendent of the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing in Bitburg, Germany. He was very proud of his military service and had many fond stories he would share. Chief Garske participated in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight on Oct. 21, 2013, which was a very moving experience for him. Jim graduated from the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy in 1962 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 1st oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal during his service career. After retiring from the Air Force, Jim graduated from Northcentral Technical College with a A.S. Degree in data processing. He had his second career at Greenheck Fan in Schofield and retired there after 10 years.
Jim loved traveling to almost every state with Carol, as well as trips all over Europe. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family and friends as well as gardening, wood crafts, stained glass, and wine making. He loved spending time up north at the same RV park for over 30 years. Boating was a favorite pastime as well as enjoying nature.
Jim is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carol; his four children, Kathy (Larry) Harper (NJ), Richard Garske (NJ), Steve (Lori Lorge) Garske (Weston), and Diane Cisneros (CA). He is further survived by eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; brother John (Barbara) Garske (Eagle River) and half-brother Leon Pagenkopf (KS); sister-in-law Janice Babl (Necedah); as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his half-brother Duane Pagenkopf; half-sister Mae Bell Garske; daughter-in-law, Kathy Garske; brother-in-law, Corpral Richard Urmanski (KIK); Colonel Clark H. Babl; and nephew David Garske.
A Memorial Service for Jim will be held at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at brainardfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Marathon County.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the all the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital who cared for Jim.
Hazel Wagner
Hazel E. Wagner, 92, formerly of Edgar, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, March 18, 2020, at Mount View Care Center in Wausau.
Hazel was born March 6, 1928, in the town of Wien, daughter of the late Richard and Bertha (Borchardt) Syring. On June 18, 1947, she married Roman G. Wagner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar. Roman passed away in 1985.
Hazel enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting and crocheting. After her children were no longer in the home, Hazel joined the Peace Corps and spent time in Lesotho, Africa, teaching young women various homemaking skills.
Survivors include Hazel’s 13 children: Linda Berens, Edgar, David (Helen) Wagner, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Romey (Lisa) Wagner, Wausau, Anna (Donald) Wirkus, Chili, Wisconsin, Sarah (Dennis) Elliott, Delafield, Wisconsin, Paul (Linda) Wagner, Wausau, Jane (Allen) Huebsch, Edgar, Clifford (Joann) Wagner, Moorseville, North Carolina, Mary (David Pickert) Wagner, Chicago, Illinois, Peter (Laurie) Wagner, Tuscan, Arizona, Rebecca (Dan) Schumacher, Medford, Wisconsin, Charles Wagner, Madison, Wisconsin, and Mark (Amy Mees) Wagner, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; 21 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Hazel is also survived by two brothers, LeRoy (Pat) Syring and Donald (Janet) Syring, five sisters, Margaret Ledbetter, Lucille Felzkowski, Ruth (Willy) Hall, Nancy (Frank Eisenhof) Thompson and Mary Ohrmundt as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Roman; her parents Richard and Bertha Syring, brothers, Richard, Wilbur and Willis and sister, Wilma Hamann. Hazel was also preceded in death by three sons-in-law, Robert Lang, Michael Wood and David (Bahama) Berens.
A private celebration of Hazel’s life and burial in the St John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Edgar, will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should be directed to a charity of the giver’s choice.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care given to Hazel by the staff of Lakeview Heights at North Central Health Care Center, Wausau.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Allen Hall
Allen John Hall, 55, of Schofield passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at St. Clare’s Hospital.
Allen was born in Wausau on March 15, 1965, to the late Aloys and Anne (Schoeder) Hall. On June 20, 1998, he married the love of his life, Ann Krause.
Going for walks, tinkering around the house, working in his vegetable garden and Diet Coke were some of the things that Allen enjoyed. He was a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers. He loved to take electronics apart and then try to put them back together, with a pretty high success rate. Most important to Allen were his family and friends and of course his cat Rylee.
Allen is survived by his siblings, Lawrence Hall, Kathy (Todd) Orlikowski, Cindy (Philip) Schumacher, and Ryan (Tanya) Hall; nieces and nephews, Benjamin, Miranda, Alex, Brett, Ryan II, Jonathon, Noah, Konnor and Logan; two brothers-in-law’s Danny and Gary Weinfurter; and his cat Rylee.
A memorial service will take place at a later date. Family and friends may go to helke.com to share online condolences.
Laura Ulbrich
Laura Ellen “Ricky” Ulbrich died in the early morning hours of St. Patrick’s day. Laura was born to Laura and Edward Shields on March 15, 1925, in Ventura, California.
When Laura was 8, her Father was killed in a tragic accident. Thereafter, Laura and her mother moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In her late teens, Laura began working at Allis-Chalmers, where she met her first husband, Howard Eisold. Howard had two children from a previous marriage (Howie and Charmaine), and Laura and Howard were blessed with a daughter, Cathleen.
Following Howard’s death she moved to Wood County, where she would spend the rest of her life. There she met many new friends, including future husbands Lloyd Rogers and Don Ulbrich.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, stepson and step-daughter-in-law, Howard and Marlene Eisold. Laura loved the water, boating, fishing and her many furry friends, both dogs and cats.
Special thanks to the caregivers with Heartland Hospice, particularly Amy and Lynn, for their time and special care. There will be no funeral due to the threat of coronavirus. There will be a graveside memorial service at Forest Hill Cemetery in Oak Creek this summer.
Laura is survived by her daughter Cathleen (Robert) Lick and stepdaughter Charmaine (Herbert) Candage; her grandson Rev. David (Carissa) Lick; and her great-grandson Zeke. In her final days, her greatest joy was seeing her grandson David come to visit. Likewise, she was brought to tears of joy at a card and picture of her great-grandson, Zeke.
Laura lived a very long and happy life, and will be missed by her family and all those who knew her wit and charm. God bless you, Laura, as you begin your next adventure.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.
