Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Celia Riehle
Celia B. Riehle, 85, Athens, died peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2020, while under the care of Interim Hospice at Azura Memory Care, Wausau.
She was born on April 13, 1935, in Athens, daughter of the late Bernard and Mildred (Jacobitz) Riehle.
For over 30 years, she worked as an actuary for Employers Insurance Co., Wausau, and later worked in the ginseng fields. Celia was an advisor for Junior Achievement for the Wausau area schools and a member of the St. Anthony PCCW and church choir. She was involved with various church activities, including working the Friday fish fries and helping out with the Athens Fair meals.
Among her favorite pastimes, she liked flowers, gardening, watching the Green Bay Packers, traveling to different countries and cross-country skiing, which she still enjoyed at the age of 83.
Survivors include her siblings, Geraldine Murphy, Rockville, Maryland, Frances Czech, Wausau, Bernard Riehle, Wausau, and Kenneth (Sue) Riehle, Athens, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Jean Riehle, Marian Becker, Bernadine Johnson, Florence Windorski, James Riehle and William “Chippy” Riehle.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Family and friends wishing to pay their respects are asked to practice social distancing and keep the state recommendation of 10 or fewer individuals present at one time in mind. Your patience is requested as measures will be taken to abide by the special guidelines currently in place. A private funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Athens.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Pride TLC, the staff at Azura Memory Care and the staff at Interim Hospice for the wonderful care and support for Celia during her stay.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Anthony Catholic Church Window Fund.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Denver Hayes
Denver L. Hayes, 85, of Wausau passed away at his home on May 6, 2020.
Denver was born in Chicago, Illinois, on Feb. 4, 1935, to the late Delmar and Joan (Stempie) Hayes. Denver attended schools in Jackson Township, Valparaiso, Indiana. Denver married his best friend, Dianne (Streich) of Wausau. Denver was a veteran of the United States Navy.
Denver retired from Marathon Electric after 33 years and later worked for 22 years as a guard for the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau.
He was a husband and father who will be remembered for his playing the guitar of country gospel music and sharing it with many friends. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Wausau, earlier served as usher, helping with Family Bible Week, the Sunday School Bus Ministry, and truly gave where needed. Denver rode his motorcycle and did many rides with Dianne on trips, which they enjoyed. Most of all in working or leisure time, Denver always told of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.
Denver is survived by his wife Dianne Hayes; his two children Delmar Hayes and Deanne Hayes; his sister Sally (Hayes) Lambert; and further nieces and nephews. Denver is preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Joan Hayes, and a sister Carol J. Hayes.
He is deeply missed by all those lives he touched.
Our family would like to extend a thank you to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for your kindness and support.
A private service will be held with Helke Funeral Home assisting the family.
Interment will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Please send any cards of condolence for Denver’s family to Hayes Family, 1831 Pardee St., Wausau, WI 54401.
Ruth Hintz
Ruth M. Hintz, 92, formerly of Birnamwood, died on Friday, May 1, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born on April 17, 1928, in the town of Aniwa, the daughter of Jacob and Meta (Hilse) Pichelmeyer.
On Aug. 12, 1961, Ruth was united in marriage to Norman Hintz in Dubuque, Iowa. He preceded her in death on Oct. 6, 2003.
Ruth was employed at Bell Telephone for many years until her retirement. She loved being in the outdoors, tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. She was an amazing cook and loved canning and reading.
Survivors include a sister, Karen Leslie, and nieces and nephews, Lori (James) McGowan, Heidi (Gary) Seiback, Pamela (David) Kozinski, Bruce (Diane) Fryke and Craig (Patti) Fryke.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a son Michael; two brothers, John and Jacob Pichelmeyer; sister, Velda Fryken and niece, Dawn Ferguson.
A funeral service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, Birnamwood, at a later date.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
