Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Judith “Judy” Radtke
Judith “Judy” Radtke, 82, of Wausau passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2020, at Wausau Manor.
Judy was born Nov. 21, 1937, to the late George and Ruth Brown, and grew up in Mosinee. She married William H. Radtke, Jr., on July 30, 1960, and she spent the rest of her life raising their daughter, Beth, in Wausau. She was a life-long member and past-president of the American Legion Auxillary. As a volunteer for the March of Dimes, she organized the first Walk-A-Thon in Marathon County. She enjoyed traveling and always looked forward to annual trips to Minocqua, Milwaukee and Door County. She loved to knit and over the years gifted many of her friends, family, and physical therapists with scarves made with love.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Radtke, Wausau; sister-in-law, Mary Brown, Mosinee; niece, Debra (Rick) Schnabel, Mosinee; nephews, Jeffrey (Lori) Brown, Wausau, Chandler (Connie) Cox, Texas, an Kris (Kimberly) Cox, Arizona. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William; brother, Jerrold Brown; and sister, Jacqueline Cox.
A private family funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel. Judy will be laid to rest at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. A recording of Judy’s service will be made available for future viewing at brainardfuneral.com.
Online condolences may be shared at brainardfuneral.com.
James Sladky
James Aloysius Sladky M.D., passed away on March 31, 2020, at the age of 91.
He was born July 20, 1928, in Racine, son of the late Frank and Rose (Broecker) Sladky. On Sept. 26, 1964, he married Mary Colleen Dardis at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Milwaukee. James is survived by Mary as well as his six children and their families.
James attended St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, Wisconsin, and fulfilled his desire to serve his country by attending the United States Naval Academy. Upon graduation, James became a naval aviator, a profession which took him to ports of call throughout the world and about which he reminisced fondly.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, James enrolled at Marquette University School of Medicine and began his career as physician, specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
It was while caring for the health of others at St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee that James met the love of his life, Mary Dardis, who was a nurse. While initially the two mixed like oil and water, James’ persistence and legendary charm eventually won Mary’s heart over, and they were married, much to the appreciation of the six children.
James continued to practice medicine well into the 1990s before finally retiring to live the good life. His hobbies included swimming, playing with his children and grandchildren, watching classic films from Hollywood’s “Golden Age,” devouring tomes on European and American history, and later in life, riding his prized lawn mower to cut the many acres of lawn at his homestead.
James was a man of God, a devout Roman Catholic who served his church throughout his life and instilled his faith in his family. He was a brilliant man who lived his life and his faith humbly.
To his children and to many others he was a model for living life as a good man.
James, the “Man,” will be missed dearly. James, the “Role Model,” will continue to live in the hearts and minds of all those who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace within the loving arms of the Lord he served so well.
James is survived by his wife: Mary Sladky; six children: Joseph Sladky (Jeanette), James Sladky (Jill), Donna Khattar (Jason) John Sladky (Heather), Lisa Sommers (Alex), and Justin Sladky (Stefanie); and his precious grandchildren: Brigid, Teresa, Joseph, Rose, Patrick, Phillip, Bernadette, Francis; Sean, Rachel, Erik, Alanna; Christopher, Madeleine, Isabella; Meghan, Kathryn, Luke; Nicholas, Jacob and Jude.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: John Sladky, Joe Sladky and Mary Alice Knauf.
Funeral services will be held at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Marathon, Wisconsin, on Monday April 6, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. To comply with current state law, viewing will be held in stages and restricted to groups of nine or fewer.
A Celebration of Life for James will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Marathon, Wisconsin. Mass will also take place at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Marathon, Wisconsin.
Vernon Utecht
Vernon Utecht, 85, of Wausau passed away at his home on Thursday, April 2, 2020.
He was born in Wausau on Aug. 20, 1934. On April 25, 1955, Vernon married Kay Young. They had been married for 65 years. Vernon and Kay are members of The Church of St. Anne. He worked for Stueber Dairy, Schneider Dairy and retired as manager of Golden Guernsey Dairy, Wausau. In his younger years, he was a Cub Scout leader for 25 years, former member of the town of Texas Lions Club and former chairman of the town of Maine. Vernon enjoyed woodworking, feeding the birds and watching wildlife in his backyard farm fields.
Survivors include his wife, Kay of Wausau, daughter, Jolene (Robert) Plautz of Merrill, three sons, Douglas (Carol), Todd and Christopher (Sannee) all of Wausau, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, a sister-in-law and nieces and nephews. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Leona Utecht.
Vernon was a loving, husband, father and grandfather. Even though we have happy memories, he will be sadly missed.
Tracy Kohl
Tracy A. Kohl 45, Rothschild passed away at her home on April 3, 2020. She was born to Robert and Sandra (McLauglin) Seefeldt on March 20, 1975. She married Robert Kohl on Oct. 5, 2002.
Tracy was a fun, loving, caring and devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed nothing more than being with her family, especially her children and husband. Her children meant more to her than words could ever explain. They were her pride and joy. She saw the good in everyone and was always willing to help anyone in need. She was a very strong and brave woman who smiled in the face of fear. She battled esophageal cancer for a little over two years and was always full of hope and positivity. She never wanted anyone to worry about her and always made sure everyone around her was OK before she worried about herself. She had a smile that would light up a room and a laugh that was infectious. She spread love and joy to anyone she came in contact with and had a great impact on many. There was never a dull moment with her and she always had a happy-go-lucky attitude. She was the most amazing mother to her children, always showering them with love and affection. Everything she did, she did for her kids and gave them the best life she could. She brought joy and laughter to everyone around her and has made memories that we’ll cherish forever. Her memories will be lived on by her loving family.
She is survived by her husband Robert, six children; Andrew, Robert, Dakota, Terisa, Mikayla and Breanna, three step children Shanna, Shontae, Derrek two sisters; Tammy, Seefeldt and Wendy (Bill) Seltrecht; three half brothers Derek, Kirk and Cameron Seefeld and one half sister Ashley Seefeldt. Neephews; Josh, Adam, Zach Cody, Zaiden and Jayce and niece Amber.
She was preceded in death by her father and paternal and maternal grandparents.
Robert Pukall
Robert A. Pukall, 52, of Birnamwood died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 4, 2020, at his home.
He was born on Aug. 16, 1967, in Wausau, the son of Rudolph and Jacqueline (Matson) Pukall.
At the age of 13, Bob met Robin Littlejohn and they quickly became sweethearts. On June 10, 1989, they were united in marriage at New Hope Community Church, Wausau.
Bob farmed the family farm with his son, Brett. He enjoyed his trucks and four-wheelers and the occasional trip to the casino. Bob could always be depended on and was always willing to help anyone in need. He always found the humor in things and enjoyed life. Bob’s greatest joy was his family. He cherished every moment spent with his children and grandchildren.
Bob is survived by his mother, Jacqueline Pukall; his wife, Robin Pukall; his children, Rachel (Mitch) Hintz, Heather (John) Enjaian and Brett (Kayla) Pukall and his grandchildren, Annabelle, Georgia and Baby (due in October) Enjaian and Robert and Baby (due in August) Hintz.
He is further survived by his siblings, Lori Mirek, Diana (Kurt) Strassburg and Karen Pukall; mother-in-law, Alice Littlejohn; father-in-law, William Littlejohn; siblings-in-law, Terri (Dale) Matsche, Julie (Chris) Lenard and Doug (Joanne) Littlejohn; nieces and nephews, Brock and Brady Strassburg, Robert and Cody Fosterling, Ken Matsche, Kim (Scott) Kropf, Eric (Heather) Matsche, Cassie (Steve) Schlenner, William (Megan) Littlejohn, Matt Littlejohn, Abi (Dakota) Littlejohn, Luke (Kristen) Lenard and Kyle (Kennedy) Lenard; great nephew and nieces, Sawyer and Mabrey Kropf, Aiden, Emery and Amelia Matsche and Greta Schlenner.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Rudolph Pukall and brother-in-law, George Mirek.
Bob was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed.
A public visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Mattoon.
The family encourages the community and friends wishing to pay their respects to practice social distancing and keep the state mandates in mind. Please be patient as measures will be taken to practice social distancing during the visitation time.
A private funeral service will be held. Rev. Dean Bertsch will officiate. Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, town of Almon, Shawano County.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
Aaron Dudzik
Aaron S. Dudzik, 34, of Wittenberg died unexpectedly on Friday, April 3, 2020.
He was born on April 30, 1985, in Green Bay, the son of Lori (Uttecht) Smith and Steven Dudzik.
Aaron previously worked at Aarowcast in Shawano and Kersten Lumber and Tigerton Lumber. He enjoyed fishing and tinkering with things.
Aaron is survived by his parents, Lori Smith and Steven (Melissa Tyler) Dudzik; siblings, Josh Dudzik and Brook (Tommy) Rubio; stepsisters, Brianna (Josh) Beran and Kilauni Tyler; special friend Ella Decorah; grandfather, Raymond Dudzik; stepgrandmother, Maggie Smith; aunts and uncles, Linda Dudzik, Francine (Fred) Loeffler, Bruce Dudzik, Steve (Tracey) Uttecht, Rick Uttecht and Robert (Paula) Uttecht Jr. as well as many cousins and friends.
Aaron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rosalie Dudzik and Robert and Judy Uttecht; uncle, Brian Dudzik and stepfather, Garald Smith.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
