Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Virginia Day
Virginia “Ginna” (Strachota) Day left our world peacefully on Monday, June 22, 2020, at the age of 92.
Virginia was born Nov. 25, 1927, in Wausau, Wisconsin. She married her love, Russell Day, on Oct. 1, 1948. Virginia was employed in her earlier years at WPS. As the wife of the co-founder of Day’s-Bowl-A-Dome in Wausau, Virginia dedicated much of her life and time to the bowling alley. She had a love for bowling and all the friends and bowlers who she came to know over the years. The love of bowling spread throughout the Day family, and Virginia was always quick to give a lesson in score keeping, or to help you with your backswing.
Her biggest “job” was raising and caring for her six beloved children. She leaves behind a legacy in her 14 grandchildren and her 22 great-grandchildren, all of whom will share wonderful memories of her generosity, her concern for everyone’s well-being, and her ability to bring together such a large family through her values and traditions. Grandma Day, aka “Grandma Day Hey Hey, never missed a birthday or forgot a special occasion. She is known for single-handedly keeping the $2 bill in circulation. It was her gift of choice as a token of her love. No one can perfect her chocolate cake or special frosting like she could, but many keep trying.
Virginia was a devout member of First United Methodist Church in Wausau. Her mission in life was to care for the elderly, nursing home residents, and the homebound. She was always on the go until her final few years, visiting dear friends and strangers alike. She always left a sticker with her name on the calendar of those she visited, so they had a visible reminder that someone cared about and loved them.
Additionally, Virginia was a member of the American Legion and an avid supporter of veterans.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Helen Strachota; her husband, Russell Day; brothers, Roger and Russell Strachota, sister, Jean Muelrath; and her grandson, Jason Weiland.
She is survived by her six children and 13 of her grandchildren; Richard (Deanna) Day; Barbara Day and daughter Kelly Ringwelski; Sharon (Roland) Penn and children, Becky (Mark) Annen, Jessica (Eric) Molstad, Dana (Matt) Lagrone, and Kari (Sean) Chaney; Eileen (Scott) Denfeld and children, Kara Weiland (widow of late Jason Weiland), Brent (Jamie) Weiland, Shanna (John) Denfeld, and Cati (David) Quirós; Dean (Kim Rantanen) Day and children Miranda (Nic) Babl, Kimberly (Ben) Hoenisch, and Cameron Rantanen-Day; and Curtis (Lisa) Day and children Dylan Day and Tyler (Morgan) Day; brother, James Strachota, sister, Shirley (Daniel) Ayala, and brother, Gerald Strachota.
Funeral arrangements have been made for Monday, June 29, 2020, at Brainard Funeral Home, 5712 Memorial Ct, Weston, WI 54476. The visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:55 a.m., with the service beginning at noon. Social distancing and masks are encouraged. Memorial flowers can be sent directly to the funeral home, or if you wish to support a cause dear to Virginia, the family asks that a donation be considered for the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/).
Delwin Hoffman
Delwin H. Hoffman went to his heavenly home on Friday, April 10, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born April 24, 1932, in Brantwood, son of the late Joe and Bernice (Scheller) Hoffman. He graduated from Tripoli High School. In 1960, he married Phyllis Komula, they had three children and later divorced. On May 26, 1984, he married Cheryl Mientke at Christ Lutheran Church in Wausau.
In 1953, Del entered the United States Army, completing training camp at Camp Roberts, California, before going to Korea. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of the Man of Honor Society and in 2013 went to Washington, D.C., on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. Del worked at CB & Q Railroad in Chicago, American Motors in Kenosha, Omark Industries in Prentice and Kings Campers in Wausau. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, helped with the Blind Outreach Program and was a volunteer at Aspirus Wausau Hospital Life Line. He was known as the bionic man as he had two hip and two shoulder replacements. He enjoyed camping, photography, remote airplanes and model railroads. Del also enjoyed ham radio, woodworking, listening to Polka music, traveling and especially spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Hoffman, Wausau; son, Joe Hoffman and his daughters, Annah (Jaden) and Grace, Dallas, Texas, daughter, Debbie (Martin) Lamas and their children, Lauren and Olivia, San Antonio, Texas and Jessica, Boston, Mass., and daughter, DeLyla Haunschild, her daughter, Vienna, Dallas, Texas and her son, Forrest, Waupaca; brothers, Kenneth (Dorothy) Hoffman, Donald (Marion) Hoffman and William Hoffman, all of Brantwood; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Wausau.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Randy Burgoyne
Randy A. Burgoyne, 60, formerly of Wausau, died Sunday, June 21, 2020, in Whitewater.
He was born Dec. 13, 1959, in Wausau, son of the late Elroy and Delores (Fierek) Burgoyne.
In the past, Randy had worked in black topping, various other jobs, and many years back he had a run at being a DJ, known as “Rockin’ Randy.”
Randy was a gem with his own unique shine. He was a jokester and loved to pull pranks on his friends and family, whether it be a card filled with glitter or a quick joke. He took great joy in cooking and loved to make large batches of yummy soup to share.
He had many happy years helping on his parent’s farm with the chores, the farm animals, and the ginseng. Fishing and playing cards with family and friends were happy times. But we believe Randy’s greatest times of happiness were time spent with his family.
Survivors include his siblings, Harry Burgoyne, Mosinee, Nancy (Michael) Lang, Kronenwetter, Mary (Jeff) Abt, Kronenwetter, Wayne (Maria) Burgoyne, Kronenwetter, Tammy (John) Johnkoski, Wausau. Nieces and nephews include; Lee, Amy, Adam, Becca, Molly, Nick, Abby, Jeremiah. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his nephew Jacob Smith and sister-in-law Nancy Burgoyne.
Though Randy had many struggles throughout his life, his kind, loving heart shined through.
We will all miss his laugh and sweet love.
Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2020, at St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Weston. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate.
Due to the coronavirus, the outside service will practice social distancing recommendations for family and close friends.
We hope to have a celebration of life at a later date.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor Randy’s memory please make a donation to Bridge Street Mission, 115 W. Bridge St., Wausau, WI 54401 or at www.bridgestreetmission.com.
Dawn Melcher-Hintz
Dawn Melcher-Hintz, 52, of Stevens Point passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 21.
Dawn is survived by her parents, Mira and Roy (Butch), her children, Ryan, Andrew, Brandon (Nara) and Breanna (Clinton), and her grandchildren, Zakary, Orchid, Hunter and Lincoln.
Dawn enjoyed spending time with her friends and dog, Pebbles.
A celebration of life was held at Springville Sports Bar on Friday, June 26, at noon.
Susan Larson
Susan “Susie” M. Larson, 93, of Eland died on Thursday, June 25, 2020, surrounded by her family.
She was born on Oct. 13, 1926, in Eland. The daughter of Felix and Martha (Timm) Szutkowski.
On April 26, 1949, Susan was united in marriage to Leslie ‘Swede’ Larson at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Birnamwood. He preceded her in death on Sept. 14, 2013.
Susie and Swede owned and operated Larson’s Supermarket in Eland for many years until their retirement in 1992. She was a member of St. Philomena Catholic Church, Birnamwood. Susie drove school bus for many years for the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District. Family was very important to her and she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren.
Susan is survived by her children, Pat ‘Patty’ (Dennis) Hartleben and Les (Denise) Larson, both of Eland; five grandchildren, Cory (Gina) Haupt, Kim (special friend, Brad Reimenapp) Gordon, Shane (Kendra) Larson, Ashley (Brandon) Groshek and Hillary (fiancé, Ryan Richter) Larson; nine great-grandchildren, Anna and James Haupt, Drew, Blakely, Camden and Lincoln Larson, Jaxton, Laikynn and Hendrix Groshek and one brother, Eddie (Dorothy) Szutkowski of Eland.
Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie ‘Swede’; her parents; one daughter, Susan; three brothers, Leo, Joseph and Sylvester Szutkowski and two sister, Sylvia Stockinger and Julia Bolzak.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Philomena Catholic Church, Birnamwood. Rev. Vicente Llagas will officiate. Burial will be in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery, Wittenberg.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
