Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Diane Myers
Diane Grace Myers died peacefully under hospice care at her home in Gilbert, Arizona, on Christmas Eve 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Diane was born on June 22, 1952, in Wausau, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Lester and Arlyle Frickenstein of Rib Mountain, Wisconsin.
Diane graduated from Wausau East High School in 1970. She married Michael Myers on July 8, 1978, in Wausau where they lived until 2005. She worked in medical records both in Wausau area and Osborn Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, until 2017 upon retiring. Diane also worked in the restaurant business prior and helped her husband start Michael’s Supper Club in Rib Mountain in 1978. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed golf, gardening, skiing and fishing. For over 20 years Mike and Diane attended Green Bay Packers games together. After moving to Arizona in 2005 they would return often for fishing and vacationing in the Northwoods and Door County.
Survivors include her husband, Michael, son David, sisters Audrey (Dale) Pruss, Shirley Kirstein, Cheryl MacLeod (Gary), Mary Frickenstein, and brother Gerald Frickenstein (Mary). Further survived by brother-in-law James Myers (Ann), and nieces and nephews John, Mike and Kristi Myers, Laura and Kelly Pruss, Christian MacLeod, Scott and Jesse Frickenstein, and dear Aunt Harriet (Bunny) Bossom.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents Lester and Arlyle and her in-laws Geraldine and Wayne Myers.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Brainard Funeral Home- Wausau Chapel, 522 Adams St., Wausau, Wisconsin. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, also at Brainard Funeral Home-Wausau Chapel. Condolences may be directed to Brainard Funeral Home’s website www.brainardfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Diane’s name can be made to Friends of Rib Mountain at https://www.ribmountain.org/donate or The Friends of Rib Mountain endowment fund, 149801 State Park Road, Wausau, Wisconsin.
The family would like to thank Arizona Oncology and Hospice of The Valley for the best care, comfort and support during her illness.
Noah Freitag
The Lord’s precious child, Noah Michael, was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, as he was wrapped lovingly in his mother’s arms at the age of 7 years old.
Noah was born on March 4, 2013, in Weston, Wisconsin, to Tiffany Freitag. His family; Tiffany, Matt, Logan, Hayli, Conner and Lexi will continue to use their lives to make a difference in the lives of others just as Noah did while he was on this Earth. He is now reunited with his grandmother, Ruby Rosaline Freitag.
While it’s hard to find words to express the joy and meaningful impact Noah had on family, friends and strangers, one thing is for certain. Tiffany worked as the hands of God to take extraordinary care of His special gift. Noah had the ability to light up the entire room, no matter what he was going through. He loved watching movies and TV shows, but not as much as he loved hearing his mom sing to him. He also adored his brother and especially enjoyed observing his temper tantrums.
His legacy lives on like a handprint on the heart of all the lives he touched. A “thank you” is never enough for those whose special care for Noah went above and beyond. Your love is forever remembered by his family.
A Celebration of Noah’s life will be held at noon on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St., Weston, WI 54476. Rev. Lance Hoelscher will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A special balloon release in Noah’s honor and memory will conclude the service.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
The family invites you to remember Noah’s life by visiting the Facebook page “Through Noah’s Eyes”.
Allen Hettinga
Allen Gerald Hettinga passed away peacefully, with his wife by his side, on June 12, 2020, at Seasons of Life in Woodruff, Wisconsin. He was born in Easton, Marathon County, Wisconsin on May 19, 1933, to Diana (Imm) and Raymond Hettinga.
Allen grew up in Wausau with his three brothers and one sister. He graduated from Wausau East High in 1951. After graduation, he served in the National Guard for three years, at the same time working to become a journeyman sheet metal worker. He worked at Midstate Contracting in Wausau for most of his career, retiring in 1995.
He married Donna Richmond on June 26, 1954, and they had four children. Sadly, Donna passed away in 1978. On May 5, 1984, he married Mary Jane Hovden Uecker. They were in the same homeroom in high school and re-met at their 30th class reunion.
Allen was a man of strong faith, and church was always an important part of his life. He began singing at a young age in the church choir with his entire family, and he continued to sing in church choirs throughout his life. His present church was Community Presbyterian Church where he loved singing in the choir and faithfully working at the church’s resale shop, The Attic, every Wednesday and Saturday in the summer.
A loving, kind and gentle man, he was a hard worker, always eager to help others or lend an ear if someone had a problem. He was devoted to his family. He had a wonderful smile and a warm, patient nature. But he also had a twinkle in his eye, loved to joke around and had a ready laugh.
His passions were hunting and fishing. He loved his hunting trips to Colorado, the annual fishing trip to Canada and pheasant hunting trips to Iowa. He taught all four of his children how to fish in one boat. He was a man of great patience! He and his wife Mary Jane also enjoyed traveling abroad and touring the U.S. in their RV.
One of the highlights of his young life was winning the Marble Championship in Wausau, moving on to Regionals in Milwaukee and winning that, and then advancing to the National Championships in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he was runner-up. It was a thrill for him to travel out East, stay in a mansion on Lake Erie, and participate in the nationals. On the trip he saw a little, white spired church that he never forgot, and he was able to find it later in life on a trip to Pennsylvania.
Allen is survived by his wife Mary Jane and his children Debra Amsrud, Cindy (Thomas) Bretl, Jeffrey (Jody) Hettinga; 16 grandchildren; and 34 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his stepchildren Todd, Tim and Tristan Uecker, and two step grandchildren. His daughter Julie (Lee) Christian and son-in-law Robert Amsrud preceded him in death. He is also survived by his brothers James (Jean) and Warren (Rose), and sister Ann (Michael) Thielman. His brother Raymond died in 2019.
A private family service will be held with burial at the Forestville Cemetery in Ringle. Memorials in Allen’s name may be made to Community Presbyterian Church in Lac du Flambeau, the Marathon County Historical Society in Wausau, or to the charity of your choice.
Lucille Perrodin
Lucille M. Perrodin, 98, Goodrich, died Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Bell Tower, Merrill.
She was born Sept. 9, 1921, in Medford, daughter of the late Casper and Louise Boxrucker. On April 1, 1939, she married Joseph Perrodin in Merrill. He preceded her in death on Nov. 7, 1990.
Lucille was a hardworking farmer and homemaker and enjoyed crocheting.
Survivors include two sons, Larry Perrodin and David Perrodin, both of Goodrich; and one brother, George Boxrucker, town of Bern.
Besides her parents and husband, Joseph, she was preceded in death by six siblings.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at the Calvary Cemetery, Athens.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Orville “Orv” Evanson
Orville (Orv) Evanson, 101, of Wausau passed away peacefully June 14, 2020.
Orv was born March 13, 1919, in Argyle, Wisconsin, to the late Edwin and Syneva Brieseth Evanson. He attended schools in Greenwood and Granton and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1937. After graduation, he worked in Minnesota building R.E.A. electric lines and later returned to Neillsville to work at Zilk Villa Buick Service.
Orv married Florence Miller on Oct. 12, 1941, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Neillsville, and they spent their early married life in Neillsville. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served for four years. He went to aviation school and was transferred several times, training for numerous assignments and served as a propeller specialist and torpedo bomber engineer during World War II. After his discharge from the Navy, Orv worked in the wholesale auto parts business in Neillsville for 18 years, which lead to a transfer to Wausau where he managed stores in Mosinee, Schofield and Wausau until his retirement in 1984. He was an excellent auto mechanic and was always ready to lend a hand to his family, friends and neighbors with his mechanical skills.
Fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and flying were some of Orv’s favorite pastimes. He loved aviation and attained his dream of owning various types of aircraft (Taylor Craft/Aeronica/Cessna and a Mooney Mite). In 1965, he flew a Mooney Mite into the Wausau Airport, one of the smallest factory-built aircraft to ever land in Wausau at the time. He was a member of the American Legion Montgomery Plant Post 10 and served as president of the Sons of Norway Lodge 5496 in Wausau.
In 1967, Orv and Florence, along with Orv’s parents Edwin and Syneva, went on an extensive trip to Norway traveling throughout the country visiting their homeland. Orv and Florence traveled to all 50 states in the U.S. and numerous countries outside the U.S. Orv was privileged to be on the first Never Forgotten Honor Flight out of CWA to Washington, D.C. to visit historical sites and to view the World War II monument. A legacy stone in his honor was laid by his family at the High Ground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville.
Orv was dedicated to his family and will be remembered for maintaining family ties and friendships and for sharing stories of his younger years.
Orv was preceded in death by his wife Florence in 2015 and were blessed with 73 wonderful years together. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brother Stanley and wife Ena; sister Agnes and husband Arne Matheson; and brother Roland.
Orv will be deeply missed by his two sons, Dennis (Linda) and Duane (Anna); one grandson, Mark (Dawn); one sister-in-law, Dawn; and nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Orv’s life will be held Tuesday, June 23, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Wausau. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Social distancing guidelines will be practiced. Interment will be at the Neillsville Cemetery following the church service.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Wausau Manor for their compassion and loving care given to Orv during his stay.
Walter Pivinski Jr.
Walter K. Pivinski Jr. passed away peacefully at home in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. He was born on Jan. 27, 1928, to Walter and Bertha Pivinski. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1945. Walter was a Technical 5, 81st tank maintenance mechanic in the Army in 1947. He retired in 1986, with 42 years of service as a Paper Machine Superintendent at the Biron Paper Mill.
On Aug. 2, 1952, he married Lucille Timm in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, and they adopted a baby boy in 1963. They enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Walter was a avid hunter, fisherman and trapper. He loved bluegrass music, playing horseshoes and was a great pool player. He was a passionate collector of Point Beer and Green Bay Packers memorabilia.
He is survived by his son Bert Pivinski and granddaughter Raechel Becker. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Czyron.
He is proceeded in death by his one true love, Lucille Pivinski. His parents, and sisters, Louise and Gail.
We would like to extend our gratitude and special thanks to the staff at Heartland Hospice Care of Wisconsin Rapids for taking such wonderful care of Walter.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 23, at St. Peter & Paul at 10 a.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. and entombment to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.
Patricia Marten
Patricia R. Marten, 90, of Mattoon died on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg.
She was born on Feb. 11, 1930, in Mattoon, the daughter of William and Mary (Fisher) Janssen.
Patricia attended St. Joseph School in Phlox and Mattoon Grade School and High School.
She married Lawrence “Nook” Berger on Nov. 22, 1947. He preceded her in death in June of 1962. She then married Edwin Marten on Nov. 2, 1964. He survives.
Pat was employed at Kautza’s Store in Mattoon during her high school years. She also worked for her parents restaurant, Janssen’s Café, was a cook for Ronnie and Jim Zahn’s restaurant and retired from Wirrer’s Red Owl Store. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Pat was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mattoon where she served on the Altar Guild and taught Sunday School. Pat enjoyed gardening and lawn work, especially flowers and decorating the house on holidays. She also liked to cook and bake and was a Green Bay Packers fan. Her family was especially important to her and was very proud of them. Pat enjoyed attending many of her grandchildren’s sporting events.
Patricia is survived by her husband Edwin; children, Kim (Judy) Berger, Randy (Kyle) Berger, Kerri (CJ) Johann, Kirt (Tracie) Marten and Kevin (Karen) Marten; a son-in-law, Rick Schoeneck; grandchildren, Jennifer Groshek, Stacy Revie, Jeremy Berger, Dylan and Brett Schoeneck, Angie Sprague, Randy Berger Jr., David, Adam and Luke Marten, Keagan and Kolten Marten, Tracy Chernetski, Eric Zwirschitz, Cory Rustick and Elizabeth Rustick; 15 great-grandchildren and siblings, Dorothy Wirth, Marlene Beran, Bonnie (Richard) Sippl and Carl Janssen.
Patricia was preceded in death by her first husband; parents and siblings, Joan Zarda and Bob Janssen.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mattoon. Rev. Dean Bertsch will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, town of Hutchins. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
