Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Eugene Glenetski
Eugene E. “Gene” Glenetski, 88, of Weston died Friday, March 27, 2020, while under the care of Interim Hospice and Palliative care at Tender Reflections, Weston.
He was born March 10, 1932, in Wausau, son of the late Edward and Theresa (Ostrowski) Glenetski.
Gene was a very proud Marine. He was in the Marine Corps from 1951 to 1954. During this time he proudly served his country in the Korean war, where he was wounded in action.
Eugene enjoyed working as a carpenter, home improvement, handy man with several different friends throughout his career. One of his favorite jobs was painting. If you had a house or room that needed refreshing or updating, he was your man.
Some of Gene’s many interests included a fascination and interest in lighthouses, fishing, and being creative doing woodworking. He also enjoyed socializing with many friends. Especially meeting them every morning and afternoon at local diners for coffee, conversations, and camaraderie. Gene treasured and enjoyed sharing the memories of his Great Lakes salmon fishing trip, where he fought and caught a 25-pound salmon, all on his own.
His survivors include his three children, Joseph P. (Linda) Glenetski, Rothschild, Jonathan P. (Jon) Glenetski, Wausau, and Barbara A. (Barbie) Venske, Hatley, brother James (Judy) Glenetski, sister Josie (Glenetski) Blazic, grandchildren Logan Glenetski, Vicki (fiancé Jesse Heslip) Venske, and Steven Venske, one greatgrandchild Kahli, and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents Gene was proceeded in death by his brothers and sisters, Herman (Harry), Clarence, George, Leonard, Alice, Irene, Lorraine, Christine, and his son in law Charles (Chuck) Venske.
At this time, memorial services are being delayed. When the ban has been lifted, a visitation will be held at Restlawn Memorial Park Chapel, Wausau, followed by a brief service and full military honors. Gene will be buried immediately afterward in the cemetery. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Margaret Nikolai
Margaret E. Nikolai, 89, of Rothschild died Friday, March 27, 2020, at her home with family at her side.
She was born Sept. 22, 1930, in the town of Deer Creek, daughter of the late George and Martha (Kania) Cypher. On Aug. 28, 1954, she married Philip Nikolai at St. James Catholic Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death on Dec. 17, 2000.
Margaret spent most her life looking after and taking care of her family. She ensured morals and ethics in all her children. Being a wife and mother was a dedication she took on honorably and with great respect. She enjoyed family, cooking, counted cross stitch and being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always there for everyone.
Survivors include five children, Gary (Betty) Nikolai, Kronenwetter, Dave (Myra) Nikolai, Marathon, Theresa King, Wausau, Philip A. Nikolai, Rothschild, Bob Nikolai, Rothschild; four grandchildren Ben (Carrie) Nikolai, Wisconsin Rapids, Chris Nikolai, Wausau, Andy Nikolai, Midland, Texas, Amanda Eric) Bohn, Marathon; great-grandchildren, Tucker, Colton and Gavin Bohn, Tyler and Matt Aaseng.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Michael King; a sister, Mary Feldbruegge, four brothers, Anthony, Gilbert, Walter and Sylvester Cypher.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild, with burial to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. After the coronavirus quarantine is lifted, a complete obituary will be published.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Dennis Fink
Dennis C. Fink, 72, Athens, Wisconsin, went to ride the highways of heaven Thursday, March 26, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Dennis was born June 12, 1947, in Merrill, Wisconsin, son of the late Wilfred and Emily (Smola) Fink.
His early years were spent working on the family farm, as well as logging the woods which helped to form his strong work ethic at an early age. As a young man, Dennis was proud to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Upon arriving home he worked as a logger with his uncles at Fink Brother’s Logging in Woodruff and later providing for his family as a truck driver, transitioning into owning his own trucking company and later working for the Operating Engineers Local 139. After his retirement, he fulfilled a lifelong dream and rode his motorcycle across all 1,387 miles of the Al-Can highway to Alaska.
He had a strong appreciation for the outdoors and had many great memories of fishing in Canada and deer hunting with the family in Hayward, Wisconsin. He was looking forward to another fishing trip to Canada this summer with his good friend David Dvorak. Dennis was a proud member of both the Free Spirits motorcycle club and the Athens V.F.W.
Dennis may have had a big bark at times, however under the ruff and gruff man was a kind-hearted individual who would lend a hand whenever he could.
He had many loves in this world, most of all his children whom he was incredibly proud of and his grandchildren which he enjoyed spoiling. He made sure to pass along his hard work ethic, story telling abilities, stubborn ways and take-no-bull attitude to them. You can see the same mischievous eyes and grin in them as you would Dennis when he was telling a story or joking with you.
Survivors include his children, Sarah Fink (Chad Fischer), Sobieski, Wisconsin, Carrie (Willie) Albrecht, Marathon, Scott Fink, Weston; his grandchildren, Lucy Albrecht, Henry Albrecht, Arlee Albrecht, Natalie Albrecht and Ellie Albrecht; siblings, Susie (David) Belter, Athens, Patty (Mike) Knab, Merrill, John (JoAnne) Fink, Rib Mountain, Nancy (Rick) Ewan, Athens, Eddie (Karla) Fink, Athens; many nieces and nephews and special friend Suzanne Rudolph.
Besides his parents, Dennis was preceded in death by his special nephew, Scott Knab.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens, with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery where full Military Honors will be conducted. A complete obituary will be published when the date and time is arranged after the coronavirus quarantine is lifted.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Lois Mumford
Lois Mumford, 85, of Wausau left this world into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on March 27, 2020.
She was born on Sept. 18, 1934, in her grandparents farmhouse in the town of Hamburg to the late Willie and Stella (Treu) Raduenzel. As a small child, Lois and her family moved to Wausau. They attended St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church where Lois and her sisters also attended grade school. Lois graduated from Wausau High School in 1951. After high school, she was employed by Marathon Electric, Prange-Way and the Family Resource Center. She enjoyed her time at all these places and made many long lasting friends along the way. Lois was a faithful member of Saint Stephens her entire life and missed church deeply when she was unable to attend due to failing health. Lois was a devoted Christian, mother and friend. Her door was open to anyone that needed a listening ear or a place to stay. She will be greatly missed.
Lois is survived by her sons, Kim of Fairmount City, Pennsylvania, Todd of Wausau, Brett (Alex) of Wausau, grandson, Cory of Smicksburg, Pennsylvania, great grandchildren, Paisley and Piper, brother-in law, Richard Miller, niece Terry Strodthoff and nephews, Mark and Seth Wiskow and Perry, Rick and Bobbie Miller.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Phyllis Miller and Janis Wiskow, grandson, Zachary Mumford, husband, Gilbert Mumford and brother-in-law Ralph Wiskow.
Private family services will be held at Helke Funeral Home with Rev. Jennifer Hoffman officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at 706 Knox St., Wausau, 54401.
Doris Gustin
Doris Gustin, 89, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2020, at Pinecrest Nursing Home (Special Care Unit) and under the services of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice just seven days shy of her 90th birthday. She was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, on April 1, 1930, to Robert Hartson and Pearl Burns Hartson and was the oldest of eight children. She married Rudy Gustin on Oct. 20, 1951; a relationship that lasted a beautiful 66 years.
Doris wore many hats and had many occupations including farmer, factory worker, cook, seamstress, cleaning service operator, and even worked on the assembly line at Boeing Aircraft in Washington state in her younger days. Doris loved animals and befriended many critters including a deer, named Fallon, who would eat cookies and crackers from her hand. After she retired, she sewed quilts and pillows and Rudy and her would sell them at various flea markets. She loved to garden. Doris had a heart of gold and she would always go out of her way to make sure everyone was taken care of, which also included her siblings during the depression era. Doris could light up a room with her smile and laughter and will be severely missed.
Doris is survived by her children, son, Bob (Carrie) Gustin, daughter, Susan (Gary) Tesch, brothers, James Hartson and Robert (Joan) Hartson and sister Evelyn (Ben) Chrusniak, brother-in-law, Willie Gustin and sister-in-law, Margie Gustin (Arizona). Doris is also survived by her five grandchildren, Lucas Tesch, Lindsay (Mike Jeanette) Gustin, Nicholas Gustin, Jonathan (Amy) Parkes, Jeremy (Melanie) Parkes and five great grandchildren, Quinn Parkes, Stella Parkes, Stone Parkes, Adelynn Parkes and Reed Parkes, including many loved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Rudy on May 2, 2018; son, Charlie Gustin; sisters Charlene(Raymond) Meyer, Mary Gustin, Mildred Hochstetler, Lucille Wiedmeyer; sister-in-law, Dorothy Hartson; and brothers-in-law, Ed Gustin and Art Gustin.
The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Pinecrest Nursing Home for the loving care they gave her these last months of her life.
She will be missed dearly by her family and had asked that there be no funeral or memorial service to mark her life and death.
Dolores Zblewski
Dolores Zblewski, 85, of Birnamwood, formerly of Hatley, died on Thursday, March 26, 2020, at Cloverleaf Terrace, Birnamwood, under the care of LeRoyer Hospice.
She was born on Dec. 7, 1934, in Shantytown, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Sikorski) Kurszewski.
On Oct. 13, 1952, Dolores was united in marriage to Roman Zblewski at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent. He preceded her in death on Oct. 24, 2016.
Dolores worked at Marathon Electric, Marathon Battery, Spitfire Griddle, and Rustick Inn. She also enjoyed working on the family farm. Dolores loved playing cards and cooking for her family and friends. She was a member of St. Florians Catholic Church and the Rosary Society.
Survivors include her children, Daryl (Patti) Zblewski of Elderon, Cheryl (Jon) Giguere, of West DePere, Keith (Darci) Zblewski of Rochester, Minnesota, and Dean (Kathy) Zblewski of Hatley; daughter-in-law, Janice Zblewski of Gurnee, Illinois; sister-in-law, Elsie Hytry; grandchildren, Sara (Joe) Leonard, Caleb (Cassie) Zblewski, Lindsey (Erik) Escobar, Justin (Abby) Giguere, Matthew Giguere, Zachary (sp friend Lila Chavez) Zblewski, Stephanie (sp friend Brendan Davis) Zblewski, Nick Zblewski, Haley and Chelsea Zblewski, Alissa (Eric) Brown, Payton (sp friend Dilan Brabender) Zblewski and Calvin Zblewski; great-grandchildren, Emilee and Lily Leonard, Carson and Coralee Zblewski, Erik Tommy Escobar and Giovanni Escobar, and Skylar and Ruby Brown.
Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, Roman; parents; a son Mark, her ten sibilings, and several sisters and brothers-in-law.
Due to the statewide mandate, the family will have a private funeral Mass at St. Florian Catholic Church, Hatley. Fr. Gregory Bohren will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. There will be a celebration of Dolores’ life at a later date. There will be a livestream of the funeral Mass at Saint Florian Saint Agnes Marathon County Facebook page and Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home Facebook page at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2020.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Florians Catholic Church or Cloverleaf Terrace.
Violas Utech
Violas Utech, 97, a life-long resident of the township of Berlin-Marathon County, passed away Monday March 23, 2020, at Mount View Care Center under the care of the Southern Reflections staff and Ascension Hospice.
Violas was born March 17, 1923, at home to the late Paul and Della (Klebenow) Utech. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Naugart. He was baptized at home on April 8, 1923, by the Rev. Heinrich Geiger and was confirmed March 21, 1937, at St. Paul’s by the Rev. H.A. Handrich. Violas married his high school sweetheart Arlyle Baumann on Jan. 19, 1945, at St. Paul’s with the Rev. E.G. Schedler presiding. Arlyle and Violas celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary prior to Arlyle’s death in April of 2010.
Violas graduated from the former Wausau High School in 1940 at which time he started working for the former Employers Insurance of Wausau for a short period of time. After getting married, Violas and Arlyle operated the Utech family farm in a partnership with Violas’s parents. In February of 1945, he was drafted into the military but was discharged to return to the farm. They continued to farm in partnership until 1957 when they purchased it themselves. They operated the family farm until 1984 when Violas was elected president/manager of Wausau Mutual Insurance Co. He served in that capacity until retiring in 1990. He served on the Wausau Mutual Insurance Co. Board of Directors for 25 years, 1972-1997, being secretary/treasurer from 1980-1983. He was on the St Paul’s church council for many years, played in the church band, taught Sunday school for 18 years and served as superintendent for part of that time. He was sexton of the St. Paul’s Church cemetery for over 35 years until he retired 2014. He served on the Town of Berlin town board from 1991-2009, four years as a supervisor and then as chairman for 14 years. Arlyle and Violas built a new home on some of the farm acreage in 1993 after passing the farm on to their son. Other organizations he served over the years included: he was instrumental in establishing and building the town of Berlin elementary school, which is now the town of Berlin community center, AAL Branch president for 18 years, 4-H project leader for 20 years, seed dealer for Dairyland Seeds, Church delegate to Northland Lutheran School many years, district director of Wisconsin Association of Town Mutual Insurance Companies, including president and president-elect positions, Berlin-Hamburg Lions Club, including being president, past-president, treasurer and zone chairman, the Pommerscher Verein German Club, town of Berlin zoning committee, town of Berlin Land Use Committee, St. Paul’s Mens Club, and the St. Paul’s Church council for numerous years. Early in their marriage Violas and Arlyle also played in the Melody Playboys Polka Band playing for events in the area.
Violas’s is survived by a son, Russell (Debbi Koch) Utech of Merrill; daughter, Jennifer (Kevin) Anklam of Wausau; two grandchildren, Abigail (fiancé Billy Cupp) Utech of Florida and Gustin Utech of Georgia; special niece, Nancy (Paul) Storm Spano of Minnesota; brother-in-law, Armin Baumann of Green Bay; two sisters-in-law Margie (Thomas) Nienow of Wausau and Donna Wohlfahrt of Green Bay; stepbrother, Gerald (Shirley) Baumann of Summit Lake; stepsister, LaVonne (James) Koehler of California; stepbrother-in-law, Gus Rashka of Mosinee; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Violas was preceded in death by his wife, Arlyle, and his parents, two infant children, Daniel Lee and Amy Beth; grandson, Bobbi Leigh Anklam; sister and brother-in-law Valerian (Utech) Elmer Storm; nephew Valroy Storm and his daughter Lisa Storm; sister-in-law Adrienne Baumann and stepsister-in-law Marilyn Rashka.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to a couple of special angels Violas had in the last few years of his life; Joyce Reger and Cindy Robbins. We also want to thank the staff from TLC of Wausau – Sherri, Barb, and Dave; and to the Ascension Home Health Care and Ascension Hospice programs. Lastly, to his new family at Mount View Care Center, Southern Reflections over the past few months, words cannot express how grateful and thankful we are to you for the loving care and compassion that you provided to Dad.
A private funeral service will be Sunday, March 29, 2020, according to the COVID-19 precautions. The Rev. Joel Willitz will officiate. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. A memorial service and celebration of his life will occur at a later date.
The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
