Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Jane Janz
Jane A. Janz, 73, of Wausau passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2020, at Aspirus Hospice House,, surrounded by her loving daughters.
Jane was born June 28, 1946, to the late Norman and Alice Wagner. She married Arthur Janz, Jr. in Las Vegas, Nevada. He preceded her in death in 2009.
Jane worked for more than 38 years as an accountant for SNE Enterprises (Crestline Windows.) Jane and Arthur loved taking casino trips across the country, as well as traveling up north, visiting Jane’s sister, Judy. They also were avid golfers. Jane especially loved taking shopping trips, notably on Black Friday with her granddaughters. She loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, especially Aaron’s football games. Her quick-wit and sense of humor will be missed greatly by her grandkids. Jane showed her motherly love by taking care of her daughters, running errands, sharing daily conversations, and canning and baking, or anything else that she could do to help her daughters and family.
To say Jane loved to crochet would be an understatement. Her talents for crafts like needlepoint or knitting went beyond projects for her family. She spent years volunteering and crocheting prayer blankets and prayer pockets for the Aspirus ICU.
She is survived by her daughter, Tracey (Tim) Karlen and their children, Aaron Karlen (Fiance Karly Cullen), and Kaylee Karlen (fiance Mitchell Overbeck), and Justyn and Hannah Karlen; daughter, Lisa Lemke (Fiance Todd Rettkowski) and her daughter, Rachel Lemke (fiance Brett Obremski). She is further survived by step-children, Dawn Powers, Jeff (Krista) Janz, Lori (Mike) Pergolski, Doug (Nancy) Janz, and Connie Teale; her brother, Emmett (Sandy) Wagner; sister, Judy (Ken) Bruckschen; sister-in-law, June Wagner; and special friend, Al Butalla.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur; and brother, Ronald Wagner.
The family wishes to thank John and Karen Laska, Jane’s special neighbors and lifelong friends, for their special care and friendship over the years.
Jane’s family wishes to further thank Dr. Rezazadeh from Aspirus Cancer Center; Dr. Powell and Dr. Koepke, as well as special Nurse Gerald Waldvogel from Aspirus Wausau Hospital; and the staff of Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau. Your care and support over the years are greatly appreciated.
Jane’s funeral service will be live-streamed at noon on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at brainardfuneral.com during a private family service held at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel. Rev. Dr. Steven Gjerde from Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, will officiate. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park. Jane’s service will be made available for future viewing on Brainard Funeral Home’s website.
Betty Nowak
Betty L. Nowak, 91, Wausau, died Thursday, March 26, 2020, at Applegate Terrace Reflections under the care of Interim Hospice.
She was born Feb. 25, 1929, in Wausau, daughter of Michael and Euphemia (Ritchie) Kriescher. On Jan. 16, 1954, she married David J. Nowak in Wausau. He preceded her in death March 18, 1981.
Survivors include her children, Ritchie (Sue) Nowak, Wausau, Nancy (William) Louis, Copperas Cove, Texas, Anna Martin, Bethlehem, Georgia, one granddaughter, Melissa (Edward) Karakash, Minneapolis and one great granddaughter, Ramona Karakash. Besides her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Kriescher.
A private funeral service will be held at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Wausau, followed by private interment in Restlawn Memorial Park. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Applegate Terrace Reflections, Interim Health Care and Mountain Terrace for compassionate care given to Betty during her time in their care.
Joan Brouchoud
Joan M. Brouchoud, 75, formerly of Wausau, died Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at St. Joseph Hospital, Chippewa Falls.
She was born Aug. 26, 1944, in Wausau, daughter of the late Lester and Ann (Ronek) Brouchoud.
Survivors include two siblings, Judy (Robert) Heinrich, Wausau, and James (Nancy) Brouchoud, Wausau, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date at St. Anne Catholic Church, Wausau. Private committal services will take place with burial in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Wayne Heeren
Wayne Harold Heeren, 70, died unexpectedly of natural causes, on Sunday evening, March 22, at home in Rothschild. Wayne was born in Wausau, Dec. 2, 1949, to the late Harold and Doris (Gruening) Heeren.
Wayne was a 1967 graduate of Wausau High School. He worked in the maintenance department at 3M for 39 years and part-time at the Woodson YMCA for a number of years. Wayne loved sports and enjoyed playing on and coaching tavern league softball and volleyball teams. He was an avid football fan and especially loved watching the Packers and Badgers. He and his son, Eric, attended at least one home Badgers game every year for the past 26 years. Wayne’s true passion was biking. He loved to ride on the trails in central and northern Wisconsin. Every summer he would pick one day and proudly ride 100 miles. He enjoyed Concerts on the Square with his friends and spending time down at Loppnow’s Sports Bar. During the winter months, Wayne enjoyed the sun and waves in Clearwater Beach, Florida. In his retirement, Wayne volunteered at the Food Pantry in Minocqua and at the Lincoln County Humane Society, walking dogs. He loved spending time with his son and daughter-in-law’s dogs, Gracie, Rex, and Rani. They had a very special place in his heart.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Doris (Gruening) Heeren. He is survived by his sister, Linda Heeren (Austin, Texas), his son and “favorite” daughter-in-law, Eric and Carol Heeren (Rothschild), the mother of his son, Marcy Amelse (Schofield), and many dear friends.
A private burial service will be held Monday, March 30, 2020. A Celebration of Life will take place at Loppnow’s at a later date.
James Hornung Sr.
James Arnold Hornung Sr. passed away on March 25, 2020. Because of a very cold February, I was born on Oct. 30, 1938, in Wausau, Wisconsin. My parents were Antoinette Duginski Hornung and Clarence Jacob Hornung. I grew up in the town of Maine. I spent three years in Cassidy School, then St. James grade school, Horace Mann junior high and Wausau East high school. During the summer, I worked for my Dad who was self employed as a water well driller. I met and fell in love with Janice Imhoff, married her on July 11, 1959. We have three sons James Jr. (Sue Beard), Tony (Carol Shay), Bryan (Ruth Mcguffey) and our daughter Marcy Weigel.
I worked for Miller Well & Pump Company from 1957 until the recession of 1980, then started my own water well business under the name of Hornung Well & Pump Co. I built three duplexes and our own home in Merrill, mostly by my own hard work after the builder did the frame work. Janice and I started in, 1975 Deerrun Mobile Home Park with Henry and Arlene Wilharms. Henry and Arlene sold their shares to us in 1979 and we became sole owners. We had 49 mobile home sites, all filled with renters when we sold it in 2000. Retired after many years of hard work, causing to have both knee replacement and open-heart surgery.
I spend my retirement traveling around the world, seeing many beautiful sites and some sad places. We spend time in Canada fishing and many enjoyable days on the lake by our cabin. I volunteered with Merrill Public Library and giving Meals on Wheels. I enjoyed woodworking, making multiple furniture for my wife and children. One of my projects was my own coffin, made in 2011 and hopefully my final resting place. I bowled for years with the Senior Citizens on Wednesday, making a woodworking prize for the last placed team. I enjoyed collecting old cars, had a 1925 Model T, a 1946 International Truck with 1940 Well Drilling machine on it, a 1980 Corvette, a 1999 Plymouth Prowler. The car I was most proud of was a 1930 Chevrolet Coupe, which I rebuilt with the help of my brother Richard, during the winter of 1998. I loved auctions, adding many items to my collections of caps, knives, canes and belt buckles. I had many enjoyable trips to the local Native American Casinos.
I have two brothers Richard (Lorraine) and Donald deceased (Gerri). I have five grandchildren, Shaun, Benjamin, Trevor, Derek Hornung and Jenna Mcguffey.
Per my request, no services will be held.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.
Gloria Gehrke
Gloria Mae Gehrke, 85, of Mosinee passed away peacefully with family by her side Tuesday, March 24, 2020. She was born July 3, 1934, in Cornell, Wisconsin, to the late Alvin and Lucinda (Henderson) Hall. Gloria graduated from Cornell High School where she excelled in music and received honors for her beautiful voice and playing the French horn. On July 10, 1954, she married William Gehrke at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They shared the gift of 65 wonderful years together!
Little Lake, Michigan, will always be “Home” where together they started a business and raised their family. Julie ( Keith) Cook, Marathon, Mike ( Dawn) Merrill, Mary ( Mike) Carmin , Escanaba, Michigan, Billie Coggan, Marathon, Marty (Joanne) Mosinee. Thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Gloria continued her “Vision of Excellence” by blessing her family with wonderful meals. She also was a talented seamstress. She served her Lord as church hostess for many years at First Baptist Church, Gwinn, Michigan. She also used her musical talents singing in the church choir and was a member of Sweet Adeline’s in Marquette, Michigan.
Survivors include her sister Ruth (Kelly) Lodahl and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by a granddaughter Elizabeth Cook, brothers Delbert Hall, Harold Hall, Clarence Hall and Alvin Hall Jr. and sisters Dorothy Smith, Florence Leonard and Margaret Caminetti.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Aspirus Hospice House, and the staff at Riverview Terrace Assisted Living. Special heartfelt thanks to Dr. Noel Sonnek.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
