Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Daniel Thiele
Daniel J. Thiele, 54, of Birnamwood passed away in the early hours of July 2, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital – Palliative Care Unit, after a courageous nine-month battle with cancer.
Dan was an avid trout fisherman and enjoyed living in the country with the Embarass River flowing in his backyard. He was an expert marksman shooting for the Ingersal Club, achieving many trophies and awards.
While at D.C. Everest High School, Dan started his career by flipping burgers at McDonald’s. He continued his work career with an apprenticeship in the electrical field with Faith Technologies. After 30 years and many promotions, he became general superintendent-Industrial Group. We all know how he liked to tell people what to do and how to do it.
Dan enjoyed water-skiing with the Wausaqua Water Skiers along with his three sisters. He was a star jumper. Playing hockey with the Cyclones for two years was another sport in which he excelled and continued that love of the game throughout his lifetime; watching and rooting for the Chicago Blackhawks and others.
He is survived by his son, Nicholas L. Thiele, Eland; mother, Nancy A. Thiele, Wausau; sisters Jane E. Thiele (Mark Fitzke), Wausau, Sara J. Irwin, Wausau, and Rhonda Thiele-Staysniak (Dr. Tom Staysniak), Ringle. He is further survived by his beloved dog, Oscar, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Duane L. Thiele; grandparents; and aunts and uncles.
We will all miss his loving self, his sense of humor, that cute dimple, and awesome cooking. Dan was an outstanding friend, a great mentor and a loving Christian. He donated his body to the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, as a gift to help others.
A special thank you to Dr. Ahuja and staff for their kindness and compassion in treating this cancer and to the Aspirus Palliative Care Unit for Dan’s comfort and Care. You were wonderful. Additionally, thank you to Pastor Dave Mahler of Highland Community Church for God’s blessings on Dan and all of us.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at the Wausau Eagles Club, 1703 S. Third Ave., Wausau. Rev. Dave Mahler will officiate. A reception will follow the service. Please wear comfortable, casual clothing in keeping with celebration of Dan’s life. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Dan’s name. Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
LaVerne Freimund
LaVerne J. (Degner) Freimund, 92, Athens, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2020, in Montello, under the care of St. Croix Hospice.
LaVerne Joyce Erdmann was born on Aug. 23, 1927, in Ripon, Wisconsin, to Emil and Clara (Serrahn) Erdmann. She attended school in Ripon.
On Sept. 4, 1948, she married Harold Degner and moved into the village of Athens.
They had two children, Shirley and Kenneth.
LaVerne and Harold farmed for 17 years before moving back into the village of Athens, where LaVerne worked in the kitchen of Athens Elementary School and then Athens High School. There she received a 25-year recognition award.
After the death of her husband Harold in 1974, LaVerne married Darold Freimund of Milan.
LaVerne enjoyed gardening, playing Sheepshead and spending time with her neighbors, friends and family.
She is survived by her children, Shirley (Tom) Raymakers of Madison, Ken (Karry) Degner of Coloma, grandchildren, Brian Raymakers of Madison, Trisha Raymakers of Chicago, April Degner of Chicago, Alex Osolkowski of Rib Lake and her step children and step grandchildren of the Darold Freimund family.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, brothers, William (Verna), Jim, Robert, Richard and sisters, Evelyn (Richard) Gazinski, Ruth (Henry) Heidelbach and Carol (Wilfred) Petznick.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. Rev. Mark Schwalenberg will officiate. Burial will be in the Athens Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, and again on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church. Social distancing precautions will be strictly observed.
There will be a livestream of LaVerne’s services Wednesday on the Trinity Lutheran Church Facebook page.
Memorials may be directed to the Trinity Lutheran School in Athens.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Ross Hoffman
Ross C. Hoffman, 71, Wausau, died Monday, July 6, 2020, at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.
He was born Jan. 20, 1949, in Wausau, son of the late Lawrence and Garnet (Borchardt) Hoffman. On Feb. 14, 2001, he married Christine Lorence in Wausau. She survives.
For 21 years, Ross worked as a custodian for Wausau City Hall and worked as a parking attendant for the Wausau Center mall. Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed shopping, bird watching, coloring, drawing, playing the keyboard and reading. He especially loved to read to his grandchildren.
Survivors include, his wife, Christine, Wausau; daughter, Connie (Dean) Verhein, Weston; grandchildren, Destiny and Isabella Burress; brother, Gary (Lois) Hoffman, Cross Plains; mother-in-law, Donna Lorence, Wausau; sister-in-law, Juliet (Emery) Van Price, Wausau; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Phyllis Niewinski; and father-in-law, James J. Lorence.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Vicar William Ostrem will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Aspirus Hospice House for the wonderful care and support given to Ross during his stay.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Adam Mundschau
Adam Harrison Mundschau, 19, of Wausau, died on July 6, 2020.
Adam was born on June 3, 2001, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Son to Patrick Mundschau and Ann Mattson; brother to Charles, James, Michael, Alex, Nick, Rebecca, Shelly and Melissa.
Anyone who met Adam instantly liked him. He was a polite young man with a big heart who was always willing to help. He enjoyed playing video games and building things with his hands. He was a loving son, an awesome brother and a great friend. Adam’s physical presence will be missed but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Adam is survived by his father, Patrick Mundschau; his mother, Ann Mattson; five brothers, Charles, James, Michael, Alex, and Nick; three sisters, Rebecca, Shelly, and Melissa; maternal grandparents, Roger and Betty Sue Zelechowski; paternal grandma, Therese Cooper; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandpa, Jerome Mundschau.
A celebration of Adam’s life will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Pastor Raybein will officiate. Family and friends are asked to go to helke.com to leave words of condolences and remembrance.
