Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Marlys Podratz
Marlys Podratz, 86, of Wausau passed away peacefully with her three children present at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau on Friday, July 10, 2020.
She was born Aug. 29, 1933, in Wausau to Leslie and Mary (Alloway) Boernke. She graduated from Wausau High School in 1951 and the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Pharmacy in 1955. She married Edward (Jim) Podratz, a fellow pharmacist, in 1957. She worked as a pharmacist her entire career at many pharmacies in Wausau and the surrounding area.
Marlys enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and was a great fan of the Packers and Badgers. She attended the Packers Super Bowl XXXI victory in New Orleans. She was a lifetime member of Grace Church in Wausau.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother David Boernke. She is survived by daughter Jamie Learned (Wausau), son Andy Podratz and his wife Wynn (Minong, Wisconsin), son Dave Podratz and his wife Marcia (Duluth, Minnesota), sister Jean Sprawls (Idaho), six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
No services are planned at this time. Online condolences can be offered through Brainard Funeral Home in Wausau by visiting www.brainardfuneral.com. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to Aspirus Hospice House, 530 N. 32nd Ave., Wausau WI 54401.
Richard Kurszewski
Richard Kurszewski, 74, of Hazelhurst passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020, at home under the care of Ascension Home Hospice.
Rich was born in Wausau to the late Nick and Regina (Modrzewski) Kurszewski on Nov. 14, 1945. He graduated from D.C. Everest High School in 1963. On Dec. 26, 1964, he married Marlene Buss at St. Marks Catholic Church in Rothschild.
Rich honorably served his country in the United States Air Force from 1964-1968, spending two of those years in Las Vegas and one year in Thailand before returning to central Wisconsin with his family. He attended college at the University of Wisconsin, finishing his degree in engineering through the ICS while starting his 29-year career at Kraft Foods Wausau as a maintenance supervisor. During Rich’s career at Kraft, his hard work and dedication was rewarded with promotions and awards. He retired in 1999 as senior project engineer and was awarded the prestigious Jade ring. After retirement, he spent a few years remodeling their lake home and re-entered the work force in 2002 to 2006 as treasurer of the village of Kronenwetter.
He enjoyed being involved with and coaching Little League baseball and youth hockey. Rich also enjoyed bowling and all outdoor activities, especially snowmobiling and golf. He cherished the friends he made while a member of Minocqua Country Club and later Timber Ridge Golf Club. His hunting trips to Montana, Colorado and Alaska were memories he often talked about with friends. His fascination with trains led him to join the Northwoods Model Railroad Club where he served as President until his illness. He also has served as Treasurer of the Bear Lake Association and was a member of the American Legion. Rich and Marlene loved to travel and enjoyed over 107 trips visiting 49 of the 50 states. Their trips to Hawaii, Costa Rica, Europe and the six-week driving trip to Alaska, were some of his favorites.
He is survived by his wife Marlene; sons Andy (Karen) of Wausau, John (Annastasia) of Kronenwetter; and daughter Bobbie (Scott) Stoltz of Bevent; grandchildren Owen Kurszewski and Arianna Kurszewski; great grandchild Markus Cabrera, and Myriam Stoltz; in-laws Nancy Kurszewski, Lucy Kurszewski, Ruth Kurszewski, Alfred Kluz, James Buss, Judee & Morrie Freund and Robert Buss along with many nieces and nephews.
Rich is preceded in death by his parents Nick and Regina Kurszewski, mother and father-in-law Adelaide and Marvin Buss, sister Margaret Kluz, and brothers LeRoy, Norman and Raymond.
Visitation for Rich will be held on Wednesday, July 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Peterson-Kraemer Funeral, 1302 N. Sixth St., Wausau, Wisconsin, with a funeral service at 11 a.m., followed by burial with Military Honors at Restlawn Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ascension Home Health and Ascension Home Hospice as well as Doctors Gabert, Yasar and Lee for their kindness and compassion shown to Richard and his family as well as the excellent care he was given.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Marathon County Humane Society, Ascension Home Health, or Ascension Home Hospice.
Social distancing practices will be observed and the family would very much appreciate masks be worn during visitation.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Edna Geiger
Edna Geiger, long time resident of Kronenwetter, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, at the age of 99.
Edna was born in May 9, 1921, to John and Marie (Schreiber) Borchardt in the town of Wien, Marathon County. She was a graduate of Stratford High School. She married Joseph Geiger on Jan. 13, 1945, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, town of Wien. He predeceased her in death on Aug. 19, 1992.
Edna was a housewife and a mink rancher. She and her husband, Joe, started what is now a third generation mink ranch in 1960. They received their breeding stock on shares from pioneer Wisconsin mink ranchers, Helen and Carl Spindler, Edna’s sister and brother in law. Edna helped on the Kronenwetter ranch into her early 90s.
In addition to her love of the farm, she enjoyed time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing sheepshead, gardening and following sports – especially the Brewers.
Edna is survived by her son, Thomas (Barb) Geiger, Kronenwetter; Grandchildren: Sara (Jay) Weith, Merrill and David (Amber) Geiger, Kronenwetter; Great-grandchildren: Porter Geiger, Jacob Weith, Austin Weith, Hazel Geiger and Elena Geiger; Great-great-grandchild Aragon Weith.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and three sisters: Evelyn (Alfred) Bauman, Helen (Carl) Spindler, and Dorothy (Walt) Schade; and four brothers: Emil Borchardt, Clarence (Elsie) Borchardt, Louis (Eleanor) Borchardt, and Elmer (Grace) Borchardt.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family internment will be celebrated Friday, July 24, at Restlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family requests any memorials to be sent to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Rothschild, Wisconsin.
Barbara Moore
Barbara (Barb) Moore, 63, of Schofield, Wisconsin, formerly of Clinton, Iowa, passed away surrounded by family on July 10, 2020, at Copperleaf Memory Care. Born Sept. 18, 1956, in Clinton, Iowa, she is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Darline (Goenne) Struve of Clinton, Iowa, and an infant daughter, Elizabeth Moore.
Barb attended Regis University in Denver, Colorado, where she resided for 24 years until moving to Wausau, Wisconsin, with her family. She was a retired elementary school teacher of many years. She most recently resided at Copperleaf Memory Care where she was loved by everyone that met her. She was known for her quick-witted comments and always being the life of the party. She loved to listen to music and tell stories and jokes.
Survivors include her three children, Emily Moore (Alex Twaroski) of Wausau, Wisconsin, Michael Moore of Forest Lake, Minnesota, and Matthew Moore and family of Marietta, Georgia, as well as a sister, Stephenie Struve-Ruhl (Brian Ruhl) of Port Byron, Illinois.
The family wishes to thank Copperleaf Memory Care and Interim Hospice for their support and care of Barb.
Lois Bula
Lois Martha Bula, 79, Wausau, a former Birnamwood area resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau. Lois was reunited with her husband, Francis, and son Scott.
Lois was born in Shawano County on July 3, 1940, the daughter of the late William and Martha (Radun) Pingel. On June 3, 1967, Lois married the love of her life Francis Bula. He preceded her in death on April 30, 1988.
Lois was employed at Master Lock in Milwaukee for many years. After starting a family, Lois began working at Honey Acres. In 1984, the family relocated to Manitowoc County where Lois began caring for developmentally disabled children at the Sisters Treatment Group Home. Over the years, Lois continued to share her compassion and caring for residents at Shady Lane Nursing Home. After her retirement, Lois provided elderly companion care in her community.
Lois had a passion for life and a love of family. She was an avid bowler and a member of the Master Lock Bowling Team. Lois enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, dancing, and playing baseball and softball. She enjoyed listening to country music and watching PGA golf. She was a devoted Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fan.
Lois was loved and cherished by her family and will be greatly missed by her daughter, grandchildren, family, and friends. The family would like to extend their gratitude and special thanks to the compassionate and caring staff at Mount View Care Center of Wausau. The excellent level of care Lois received was a great comfort to the entire family.
Survivors include her daughter, Lori (Bula) Eckes; granddaughter, Peyton Eckes; grandsons, Andrew, Tyler, and Cole Bula; sisters, Marie (Myron) Podjaski of Ringle, Marianne Hegewald of Elderon, Loretta (John) Lucht of Antigo, Virginia (Larry) Wegener of Clintonville and Patsy Pingel of Birnamwood; brothers, Lloyd (Josephine) Pingel, Hatley, and Leonard (Toni) Pingel of Hatley; sisters-in-law, Yvonne Pingel of Ringle and Sister Irmina Bula of Stevens Point and many nieces, nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.
In addition to her husband and parents, Lois was preceded in death by her son, Scott Bula; sisters, Esther Pingel and Joyce Krueger; brothers, Orville Pingel and William Pingel Jr.; niece, Paula; great niece, Elizabeth; great nephew, Kyle; sister-in-law, Carmen Pingel; and brother-in-law, Dennis Hegewald.
Matthew 5:14,16 – “You are the light of the world…In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Proverbs 3:6 – “The memory of a good person is a blessing.”
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
