Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
DeAnna Zernicke
DeAnna Karen Zernicke, 79, of Wausau passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home Tuesday, June 9, 2020, after a short battle with pancreas cancer.
She was born May 11, 1941, in Wausau, daughter of the late Elroy and Mildred (Hardell) Pagel. DeAnna married LeRoy Zernicke on Dec. 3, 1960, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Stettin. He survives. Together they raised eight children while farming.
DeAnna attended Woodland Dale School, a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Wausau High School. She was also a Sunday school teacher. DeAnna was a hard working farm wife, earning the Farm Woman of the Year award in 1980.
She had a love for gardening, animals and nature. Enjoying the beauty of spring as the trees and flowers started to bloom. She loved the silly, playful cats that came to visit her on the deck and the many birds.
DeAnna’s love for children never ended with her five daughters and three sons. She would have the biggest smile whenever the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to visit. Grandma De/Grandma Farmer always had something to offer them as a treat and was entertained by each and every one. She will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years, LeRoy; her eight children, Connie Fuss, Wausau; Paul (Faye) Zernicke, Wausau; Christine (Donald) Imhoff, Edgar; Sharon (Cory) White, Wausau; Shelby (Steven) Olm, Wausau; Sandra (Frank) Wirkus, Wausau; Michael (Kathryn) Zernicke, Wausau; David (Traci) Zernicke, Wausau; 20 grandchildren, Melissa (Daniel), Joshua (Ashley), Mallory (Leo), Courtney (Adam), Meredith (fiancé Shawn), Hannah (Colt), Melanie (fiancé Derek), Justin, Luke, Kyle, Cassandra (fiancé Grant), Benjamin, Morgan (Brendan), Nicolette, Trevor, Christopher, Marcus, Troy, Megan (fiancé Jared), Travis; 15 great-grandchildren, Samara, Edison, Lincoln, Andrew, Allison, Logan, Lydia, Connor, Isabella, Maxton, Madilynn, Reed, Ryker, Carter, Calli; eight step-grandchildren, Kyle (Megan), Baylee, Brenna, Tessa, Alisha (Matthew), Amanda (fiancé Brandon), Melanie (Kory), Nickolas (Ashley), eight step-great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Scarlett, Anabella, Caroline, Emberlee, Hannah, Blake, Eli, brother, Gene (Karen) Pagel, Wausau; sisters, Barbara (David) Czech, Athens; Marilyn (Robert) Seefeld, Athens; LaVonne (Alan) Jordan, Wausau; in-laws, Martin (Joyce) Zernicke, Wausau; Wallace (Carolyn) Zernicke, Wisconsin Rapids; Betty (Dennis) Metz, Plover; Carol (Phil) Olson, Wausau; Lyle (Linda) Zernicke, Athens and Gary (Lori) Zernicke, Merrill, many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her son in-law Aaron Fuss; father and mother Elroy and Mildred Pagel; brother Steven Pagel; sister Dianna Pagel; in-laws Maynard and Ruth Zernicke and Mary Barttelt.
Public visitation will be Tuesday, June 16, 2020, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Social distancing guidelines will be practiced. Public burial will be at noon on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Ribview Cemetery, town of Stettin.
Private services will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, town of Stettin. Rev. Philip Bogen will officiate.
Her family would like to thank Aspirus Hospice Service for the support and care for DeAnna and her family.
Natila Thao
Natila Thao, 22, Wausau passed away Saturday, March 21, 2020, at the Marshfield Clinic, Eau Claire.
She was born Feb. 5, 1998, in Menomonie, daughter of Chong Thao and Yee Lor Thao.
Natila was a senior year full-time student at UW-Eau Claire studying psychology. She grew up in Wausau and graduated from Wausau East High School.
Survivors include her grandparents, her parents and three siblings, Ariese Thao (sister), Elkin Thao (brother) and Di Thao (brother). She also left behind many aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends who dearly loved her.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2020, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Public visitation will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2020, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Stewart Avenue funeral home with social distancing guidelines in practice. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Gladys Meidl
Gladys E. Meidl, 101, of Aniwa died peacefully on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston, under the care of Ministry Hospice.
Gladys was born on Nov. 6, 1918, in Ringle, the daughter of Henry and Minnie (Yach) Sonntag. On May 29, 1934, she was united in marriage to Ludwig Meidl at St. Florian’s Catholic Church, Hatley. He preceded her in death on Nov. 17, 1973.
Gladys was employed for many years at the former Citizen’s State Bank, Aniwa. She enjoyed cooking, reading and gardening. Gladys loved spending time with her family.
Gladys is survived by three sons, James ‘Jim’ Meidl of Port Charlotte, Florida, John ‘Jack’ (Vivian) Meidl of Schofield and Jerome ‘Jerry’ Meidl of West Allis; four grandchildren, Michele, Christopher, Rachel and Diane; five great-grandchildren, Laurel, Andrew, Joseph, James and Alexandra; two great great-grandchildren, Reagan and Simon, in addition to many other relatives and friends.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a granddaughter, Marijo, a daughter-in-law, Sandra and siblings, Vilas Sonntag and Grace Utech.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Aniwa. The church requests attendees to follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask or face covering. Fr. Vicente Llagas will officiate. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home of Birnamwood is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
