Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Lavila Krueger
Our beloved matriarch, Lavila M. Krueger, 95, died Wednesday, April 1, 2020, under the care of her oldest daughter and hospice at her home.
Lavila was born April 28, 1924, in Merrill, daughter of the late Arnold and Ella (Saeger) Schulz. On Nov. 10, 1945, she married Marvin Baumann and he preceded her in death on July 4, 1979. On July 16, 1983, she married Harvey Krueger and he preceded her in death on April 9, 2000. In Lavila’s younger days, she loved to go dancing, so her family imagines Marvin and Harvey are currently arguing over who gets the first polka dance.
Lavila always remembered her friends and family with cards or gifts, as she never missed a birthday, anniversary, marriage, or birth. No matter who entered her home or at what time, Lavila would always offer one of each of her many homemade desserts. She also loved her sweets and would never turn down a piece of pie. Lavila’s favorite pastimes were visiting family and friends, watching her favorite game shows, and shopping and eating out at her favorite restaurants.
Survivors include her children, Sharon Landowski, Gary Baumann (Bev), Dennis Baumann (Erin), Sandy Ebbinger (Art), and Jean (Hoff) Baumann; stepchildren, Merlin Krueger (Patsy) and Elroy Krueger; and, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Besides her parents, two brothers (Marvin and Ardell), and husbands, Marvin and Harvey, she was preceded in death by her oldest son, Lylas, stepson, Laverne Krueger, stepdaughter, Phyllis Pawlowski, and an infant son, Larry.
Private services will be held Monday, April 6, 2020. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Rib Falls.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer.com.
Monica Prihoda
Monica M. Prihoda, 61, of Marathon died Wednesday April 1, 2020, at Cedar Ridge Elder Services, Weston.
She was born Jan. 10, 1959, in Wausau, daughter of the late Sylvester and Rita (Kurtzweil) Prihoda. Monica had been employed at the Northern Valley Workshop.
Survivors include her siblings, Alice Boehm, Marathon, Denise (Jim) Stroyny, Wausau, Donald (Barb) Prihoda, Minnesota, Les (Linda) Prihoda, Marathon, Sara Prihoda, Wausau, Joel (Susan) Prihoda, California; She is further survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her parents, Monica was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Lee Boehm.
Private graveside services will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Marathon. A Memorial Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon, will be celebrated at a later date. An updated obituary will be published when services have been rescheduled.
Monica had many friends who loved her. Thanks to all her caregivers who treated her like family.
Sylvester “Sy” Altfillisch
Sylvester E. Altfillisch, 89, of Marathon passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, March 30, 2020, while under hospice care.
Sy was born on Nov. 27, 1930, in Scales Mound, Illinois, son of the late Philip and Rosena (Samm) Altfillisch. He was married in 1952 in Galena, Illinois, and had three children. He was then divorced.
Sy worked on his home farm and later other farms in the area from the age of 13 through 18. He worked for 18 years with National Lock Co. in Rockford, Illinois, and then held multiple jobs as a pipe fitter, road construction worker, and quarry worker. In 1985, he moved to Wausau and worked at Kolbe and Kolbe Millwork for several years and then at County Market grocery store until his retirement in 2000. He built many relationships and had great memories from his time there.
Survivors include his loving children, John (Rhonda) Altfillisch of Hamburg and Charles (Beth) Altfillisch of Marathon; 12 loving grandchildren: Michelle Thurs; Jennifer (Matthew) Seliger; Katie (Michael) Dymora; Karrie (the late David) Blake; Jamie (Steve) Dalton; Danita (Nick) Hahn; Gina (Derek) Grenfell; Brodie (Samantha) Altfillisch; Brandice (Alex) Clauff; Dustin (Rachel) Altfillisch; Alanie (Luke) Mucha; and Ella Altfillisch; 20 loving great grandchildren: Jeremiah and Amanda (Nate Atkinson) Steidinger; Thomas (Erin) and Laura (Hobby Jackson) Seliger; Melony and Morgan Bolling; Ian, Shilo, and Kennedy Blake; Alex, Bennett, and Connor Hahn; Charlotte, Louisa, and Adelaide Grenfell; Clara Altfillisch; Cecelia Clauff; Landen and Bayze Altfillisch; and Levi Mucha; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Besides his parents, Sy is preceded in death by his daughter and son in-law, Sandra (Altfillisch) and Ivan Thurs; his two brothers, Melvin and Cleland Altfillisch; and his sister, Ilene (Altfillisch) Hill.
Sy, Dad, Grampa, and Grampa Great will be sadly missed by many and will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will hold on tight to those special things he did or said to us all and pass them along.
A private service for family was held. A celebration of Sy’s life will be held later this year; the date will be announced.
We would like to thank Ascension Hospice staff, especially RN Kate, for her compassion and kindness at a time when we needed it most. Also, thank you to the staff at Copper Leaf in Marathon for their care and kindness.
Online condolences may be made at petersonkraemer.com.
Felix Huron
Wrapped in his mommy’s arms, baby boy Felix Romo Huron, 2 months and 27 days, gained his angel wings on March 30, 2020.
Felix joined this world on Jan. 3, 2020, in Wausau, Wisconsin. Baby Felix had the sweetest smile and was always so happy. He loved to watch his sissy and brother play. He loved their kisses so much. With his little eyes that would wander around and around, he would see his mama and smile so big, wondering how to talk to say “I love you, too, Mama.” His eyes could tell it all. He also loved to dance in his mommy and Auntie Kailey’s arms with his brother and sister. But his favorite thing was listening to his mama sing to him. My beautiful Angel Baby, you were and always will be the sweetest baby ever. Now you have the most beautiful wings; fly so high.
Felix will be remembered by his mommy, Shailey Huron, his daddy Felix Romo; brother and sister Laddin and Mattea; grandparents Kari, Charles, John and Tammy; aunts Kailey, Jaiahvonna and Jaiva; close friends Angie and Haley; and so many more.
He is preceded in death by his uncle Jaiden; great-grandpa Krah; and his grandmother Maria.
A private funeral service will be held on Felix’s 3-month birthday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, town of Wausau.
John Alexandroni
John L. Alexandroni, 74, of Ironwood, Michigan, passed away after a 15-year battle with ALS.
He was born on June 15, 1945, in Ironwood, Michigan, to the late Gildo and Beatrice (Eliason) Alexandroni. He met, fell in love and married the love of his life, Patricia Semo, on Jan. 20, 1968. They were married for 52 years.
John was a proud United States Army veteran. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, flying his drone, and was a professional gunsmith for his gunsmithing business. But most important to John was his family and friends. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
John is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his three children, John R. Alexandroni, Michelle Alexandroni, Kristy Richter.
Family and friends may go to helke.com to leave an online condolence for the family.
Donna Murray
Donna R. Murray, 67, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away April 2, 2020, at Eden Brooke Nursing Home. Donna was born Aug. 10, 1952, in Wisconsin Rapids to Louis and Leota (Struss) Polzin. She was with her significant other Keith M. Livernash for 27 years.
Donna loved her family dearly especially her daughter and grandchildren. She loved to sit in her chair outside or inside and watch her flowers grow and the birds sing. She had a real green thumb for gardening.
She is survived by her significant other Keith, her daughter Kelly (Dan) Chandonais of Wisconsin Rapids, her four grandchildren, Kristina (Jordan), Isabella, Alex and Hunter of Wisconsin Rapids and her 7 sisters Carol (Roger) Vantry of Wisconsin Rapids, Patty (Brett) Schaefer of Arpin, Mary (Pat) Favia of Illinois, Diane (Kurt) Jensen of Pittsville, Judy (Karl) Wagner of Florida, Jody Tate (Brian Tuel) of Florida, and Heidi (Kevin) Studzinski of Waupaca, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Martha.
Funeral arrangements will be at a later date.
Michael White Sr.
Michael L. White Sr., 74, of Wausau passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, April 1, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on April 17, 1945, in Wisconsin to Marguerite (Mohr) and Leonard White.
Michael worked as a welder, fabricator and in construction before retiring in 2011 from Graphic Packaging, where he worked as a print technician for several years. He enjoyed the outdoors, golfing, deer hunting and fishing for many years alongside his sons and eventually his grandchildren. He loved to spoil his dog, Ben, who never left his side. He had an impeccable sense of humor and enjoyed the simple things in life.
He is survived by his three sons, Michael White Jr., Weston; William (Denise) White, Ringle; Daniel White, Wausau; his five grandchildren, Makahla White, Cody White, Nolan White, Nathan White, Auston White, one great-granddaughter Kaylee, his very good friend Kathy Drake and six siblings, Carol Swinton, Lettie Elliot, James (Julie) Abbey, Linda (Donald) Blink, David (Mary) Abbey and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ronnie, his sister Barbara, and his brother-in-law Kenneth Swinton.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
Gayla Marco
Gayla V. Marco, 84, of Wausau passed away peacefully, Sunday, March 29, in the comfort of her own home. She was born Nov. 7, 1935, in Clare Michigan to Idamary (McClain) and Virgil Hochstetler. She married the love of her life, William P Marco II on July 2, 1966, in East Lansing, Michigan.
Gayla Worked at Manpower for many years taking temporary secretarial/reception positions where needed in the Wausau area. This allowed her to be home more with her children. She also volunteered at school, served on committees, and was involved with Homemakers.
Her faith was an important part of her life. She was a long time member of Peace United Church of Christ in Schofield. She served and volunteered on numerous councils, committees and was involved in multiple programs within through her church.
And when she wasn’t doing all of that, she was clowning around, literally! Gayla always loved clowns and decided to be one. She attended clown school, sewed up some costumes and called herself Hilda Hug (she even got a clown tattoo on her shoulder). Her clowning circle of friends grew and called themselves “The NUF Clown Troupe” (NUF is “fun” backward). Hilda Hug and the NUF Clowns spread hugs, joy, laughter, color and fun throughout their community for years.
Gayla also loved her Thursday outings to Memory Café and the SPARK programs, both are lovely programs for the aging in the Wausau community. These programs were always followed by lunch and usually some shopping. Thank you to Betsey and Sandy for making sure she got there on a regular basis, it meant so much to her.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Angela, Cathy, and Rosie for the loving care they gave to Gayla.
Gayla is survived by her daughter Katie (Mike) Zernicke, Wausau; her son Steve Marco Puyallup, Washington; grandchildren Kyle (Megan) Holtz, Baylee Holtz, Brenna Holtz, Tessa Dorski; Seth (Carly) Marco, MacArthur Marco, Murphy Marco Morgan (Brendan) Gille, Megan Zernicke (Jared); great grandchildren Sully Marco, Carter Gille.; sisters; Melissa (Bob) Penny, Michigan, Mary Hunter and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gayla was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Bill.
A life, so beautiful, deserves a special celebration. The family will plan this celebration at a later date.
For his anger lasts only moment,
but is favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
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.
