Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Carole Zinser
Carole F. Zinser, 75, of Wausau, passed away July 24, 2020 with her husband by her side at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Carole was blessed to have been able to say goodbye to everyone she cared about.
She was born in Wausau on July 14, 1945 to the late Leonard and Marcia (Simonson) Sargent. She attended Wausau East High School and after graduating, attended Northcentral Technical College. She married Henry “Hank” Zinser on May 7, 1994. Carole enjoyed her time volunteering at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, quilting, cross stitching, reading, and watching her beloved Green Bay Packers.
Carole is survived by her husband Henry “Hank” Zinser; son Terrance (Lesbia) Walloch; daughters Constance (Brad) Beilke and Christa (Tony) Kuehl; step-sons Curt (Deanna) Zinser and Brian Zinser; step-daughter Michelle Zinser; grandchildren Jacob Kuehl, Cassie Malone, Ramsey and Jurnee Beilke, Alexander and Isabella Walloch; step-grandchildren Kayley Zinser, Donald Bartell and Randi Bowman; great-grandchildren Troy and Azara Kuehl and Chloe Malone; step great-grandchildren Gavin, Koda and Savannah Bowman; brothers Jeffrey (Laurel) Sargent and Daniel (Lisa) Sargent; sisters Tama (Wayne) Gehrke and Marcy (Wayne) Janssen; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Due to COVID-19, private services for family will be held with a service for family and friends at a later date.
Carole’s family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Aspirus, the palliative care unit and ICU. They especially want to thank Dr. Rezazadeh and Dr. Cygan for their care and compassion.
Brainard Funeral Home- Wausau Chapel is assisting the family.
Jean Baumann
Jean Baumann, 70, Athens passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2020 at her home.
She was born March 21, 1950 in Wausau, daughter of the late Norbert and Carol (Otto) Hoff. On December 13, 1969 she married Lylas Baumann at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, town of Rib Falls.
For years Jean worked at Fromm Brothers in the town of Hamburg and later went on to her passion for in-home health care for many families. With her spunky personality, some of her favorite pastimes were garage sales, traveling with her sisters and family, spending time with her grandchildren as well as reading, and more reading!
Survivors include her two children, Scott (Connie Brazeau) Baumann, Athens and Carrie (Kris) Klinger, Athens, her grandchildren, Jordan (Emily) Baumann, Nicholas Baumann and Hannah and Aiden Klinger, one great grandson, Everett Baumann, her siblings, Karen (Roger) Pecher, Arpin and Sandra Romang, Athens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, LeRoy Hoffman, her late husband Lyle and her brother-in-law, Robert Romang.
Private Funeral Services will take place on Friday, July 31, 2020 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. The Rev. Jon Hadler will officiate. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, town of Rib Falls. Public visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until Noon at the funeral home. Social distancing guidelines will be practiced. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Amy Lang
Amy Kristen Lang, 53, Marathon passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, July 24, 2020.
She was born February 15, 1967 in Wausau, daughter of the late Hubert and Dolores (Lenhard) Lang, who welcomed her to Heaven with their open, loving arms.
Amy and her lifelong partner of 33 years, Ted Szymanski, loved spending time together in the outdoors. They spent many years gardening, boating, 4-wheeling; along with many nights out wining and dining, listening to music!
Amy loved sitting outside on their patio birdwatching and reading. The library has lost its #1 customer. Amy was a compassionate and loving person who had a great love for all, including animals. She and Ted had many pets over the years, including their dear Zoe Lee, and lots of reptiles. But none of their pets will miss her more than Lucas James, her rescue dog.
Amy loved cooking, always trying new recipes, good and not so good! The not so good was up to Ted to finish off!
Amy’s pride and joy were her many nieces and nephews; from her oldest niece to her newest nephew, her two-month-old bundle of joy. Each one over the years looked forward to spending time with Amy and Ted at their home, playing in the orchards with their pets.
Besides Ted, Amy has left behind her siblings, Dale Lang, Jeanne (Bob) O’Neill, Douglas Lang and Heidi (Marvin) Sekorski; along with many nieces and nephews and lots of great friends.
Amy will remain in the hearts and memories of all who knew and loved her. She will be dearly missed.
A Private Family Memorial Service will take place at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon. The Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will officiate. Public visitation will take place on Thursday, July 30, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Marathon funeral home. Social distancing guidelines will be practiced. The family requires face coverings be worn for the visitation at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Helen Gorecki
Helen L. Gorecki, devoted woman of faith, 75, Ringle, went home to be with her heavenly family on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at Marshfield Medical Center, Marshfield.
She was born Sept. 14, 1944, in Marshfield, daughter of the late Lyle and Ellen (Nealis) Sommers/Baum. On Nov. 9, 1963, she married Gerald “Jerry” Gorecki at Holy Name Catholic Church, Wausau. He survives.
Survivors include her husband, Gerald, her children, Sharon (Michael) Marx, Ringle, Timothy (Carla) Gorecki, Deerbrook, Jane (Brian) Vorass, Antigo, Kay (Steve) Huber, Marshfield; daughter-in-law, Angela Gorecki, Weston; grandchildren, Jamie (Joe Porior), Jonathon, Andrew and Alexander Marx, Sydney and Tyler (Calla Garner) Gorecki, Samantha (Dustin) Radtke, Jessica (Michael) Thurs, Amanda (Landon) Maatz, Deven Held, Robert (Alex Prindl) Burns III, Dakota and Ashley Vorass, Nicole (CJ) Campuzano, Anthony “AJ” and Nicholas Gorecki; twelve great-grandchildren; two brothers, Fred (Usa) Sommers, Bolivia, North Carolina, John (Gale) Baum, Pittsville; and her best friend, Salli Writz, Wausau.
Besides her parents, Helen was preceded in death by a son, James Gorecki on Dec. 16, 2017 and seven siblings, Mary Ellen, Sharon, Jane, Sandra, Lyle Jr., Stanley, Patrick.
In 1963, Helen graduated from Our Lady of the Holy Cross High School, Merrill. She worked at Marathon Rubber in Wausau for over 20 years. Helen was proud to have been union president for the Ladies Garment Workers Union ILGWU for many years.
Family always came first for Helen. Her door was always open for a visit and no one left her home hungry. Helen was a fantastic cook, always looking for a new recipe to try. She also loved baking Christmas cookies and candies.
Helen was a great seamstress. She enjoyed singing, dancing, reading and doing crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed watching movies, the scarier the better and playing board games.
Helen’s family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Rennes Health & Rehab Center, Weston, the staff at DaVita Wausau Dialysis, also the many medical personnel from Ascension Saint Clare’s Hospital, Weston, and Marshfield Medical Center, Marshfield.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Joseph Albert will preside. Visitation will be on Monday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the church and again on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Social distancing recommendations will be practiced. Mass will be live streamed on Facebook, or for later viewing at www.petersonkraemer.com
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Shirley Kutil
Shirley (Sanders) Kutil, 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.
She was born Nov. 12, 1935, in Wausau, daughter of the late Robert and Elsie Sanders. On Jan. 27, 1954, she married Jack Kutil. He passed away in April 2020. After spending 65 years together, and a few months apart, they are reunited again, and will be spending time in each other’s arms, gliding across the dance floor.
Shirley stayed home to raise seven children while Jack provided for the family, owning grocery stores (Jack’s Country Market and Jackson’s Foods) and fast food restaurants (Buddy’s, Bunny’s Lunch and The Korner). They made a great team.
Survivors include their children John L (Rhonda), Kathy (Greg) Mayer, Mike (Laurie), David (Donna), Toni (Brian) Schmitt and Karen (Chad) Cochart, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Ralph Sanders and her sister Sue (Bob) Knapp.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Barbara Powers in 2007, brothers Bob Sanders and Jimmy Sanders and sister Mary Salzman.
Private services will be held at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park.
The family wishes to thank the amazing staff at Aspirus Hospice House for the exceptional care she received.
Memorials can be directed to the family to be used for a memorial at Hospice House.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Mom mentioned often how blessed she was to have lived such a good life. She gave her family great strength during her brief last months, never complaining and always showing grace to those around her. She will be missed, but we know she’s where she wants to be.
Margaret Weber
Margaret M. Weber, 96, of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away at Mount View Care Center on July 23, 2020.
She was born on Nov. 6, 1923, in Wausau at home to the late Gustave and Martha Papendorf. She was the youngest of five girls and one boy.
Margaret graduated from Wausau Senior High in 1941. Shortly after high school she and her sister, Louise, traveled to Washington, D.C., and found jobs working for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Her primary role was to use shorthand to take minutes of naval officers’ meetings and transcribe them for military use.
After the war ended, she returned to Wausau to work at Marathon Paper Corp. in Rothschild. There she met her husband, Allan, and they were married on Sept. 1, 1951, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau.
In addition to raising their four children, Margaret was an active volunteer at her church, St. Mark’s Lutheran of Wausau. She was a long term member of the church’s Ladies Guild, and choir. She particularly enjoyed knitting squares that were used to make blankets for those in need.
Margaret liked to attend Wausau Community Theater performances, and watch sports, especially the Badgers, Packers and Brewers. She also traveled extensively after Allan retired, with great memories captured in picture albums. Her two biggest soft spots were her granddaughters and animals, especially dachshunds.
Survivors include four children, Steven (Deb) of Carmel, Indiana, James (Vicki) of Wausau, Jane (Sue) Weber of Washburn, and Paul (Wendy) of Stratford; eight granddaughters, four great grandchildren, and one sister, Ruth Severson of DeSmet, South Dakota.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, husband Allan, three sisters, Dorothy, Alda, Louise, and brother, Leslie.
Due to COVID-19, a memorial service with be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at a later date. Memorials can be made in Margaret’s memory to the Marathon County Humane Society, the National Wildlife Federation, and St. Mark’s Church Ladies Guild.
Fred Novak Jr.
Fred Phillip Novak, Jr. of Schofield passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family and close friend on July 21, 2020. He was born to Felix and Antoinette (Gajewski) Novak on March 3, 1929, and was preceded in death by his wife Cele Novak in September 1980.
He is survived by his children Jay (Janine) Novak, Carrie (Ted) Woychick, Craig (Terri) Novak, Perry (Nancy) Novak, Celeste (Lance) Spychalla, Kevin Novak, longtime companion Lorry LaPorte, grandchildren Lesley (Steve) DeVries, Andrew Spychalla, Matt (Lindsay) Novak, Elizabeth Novak (Joey Maassen), Dan (Wendy) Novak, Hailey Novak, Taylor Novak, Audrey Woychick, Joe Woychick, Steve Novak, Becca Novak, and great grandchildren Mia, Alan, Ricky, Scarlett, James and Carmen. Fred is also survived by sisters-in-law Nat Andraski and Joyce (Barton) Mitchell.
Fred was a veteran of the Korean War, U.S. Army branch from 1952 to 1954. He began a career of more than 60 years as a self-employed excavator, and until recently serviced the area with prime screened topsoil. He loved his work and excelled at it. Fred also enjoyed hunting and fishing with family. Another passion was his farm life at the cabin. He was truly loved by his family and all who knew him and will be so greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mount View Rehab Center for his care, and heartfelt thanks to the group of Tim, Carissa and Rachele at Interim Hospice Care for their compassion, warmth and personal care for Dad upon his return home.
Services will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, with visitation from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. officiated by Father Albert. Burial will follow immediately after to St. Agnes Cemetery where full military honors will be performed.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Hilda Friedl
Hilda M. Friedl, 92, of Chili, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, Wisconsin, on July 14, 2020.
Hilda M Friedl was born Dec. 9, 1927, to Hans and Wilhelmina (Minnie) Sommerlund. Hilda attended rural school in Lindsey and graduated in eighth grade in 1946.
Hilda spent most of her time residing in Milwaukee and returned to the Lindsey area in 1977.On May 19, 1960, she was united in marriage to Lee Friedl together they raised eight children.
She enjoyed and loved her two little doggies (Sammy and Buddy), she also loved her flower garden and visiting with her children. She loved her Bingo and watching FOX news with her doggies on her lap. Hilda and Lee ran multiple businesses throughout their lives, including Lindsey grocery store, multiple drive in restaurants, and an upholstery shop.
She is survived by Daughters Roseanne (Sam) Mozo, Dolores (Dan) Zellmer, Mary (Sacremento) Velazquez, Cheryl (Steve) Selk and Son Lee Jr (Sara) Friedl. Grand Children Chris, Jimmy, Amy, Brenda, Cheyenne, Anna, Kimberly, Tina, Lisa, Cheridy, Kathleen, Wendy, Laurie, Michael, Shawn, Chad, Jessica, Jackie, Lee III, Kendra, Danny, and Brandon. Many great and great-great grandchildren. Sisters Marion Ducsay, and May Schultz.
Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Lee Friedl, her two sons James Stockheimer, Donald Stockheimer, and daughter Beverly Stockheimer, brother William (Willie) Sommerlund, and Grandson Andy Stockheimer, sisters Irene Erickson, Esther De Barge, and Agnes Helling.
A celebration of life will be held Aug. 22, 2020, at the Chili Community Park in downtown Chili, Wisconsin, from noon to 3 p.m.
Timothy Backes
Timothy S. Backes, 60, of Bowler died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 23, 2020, in Hillsboro, Wisconsin.
Tim was born on March 6, 1960, in Neenah, the son of Bernard and Donna Mae (Behm) Backes.
On Sept. 28, 1986, Tim was united in marriage to Sharon Olsen at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wittenberg.
Tim was a 1979 graduate of Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School. Along with his siblings, he owned and operated the former Backes Food Mart in Birnamwood. For the past 22 years, Tim owned Shawano Pawn Shop, as well as Shawano Investments. An avid outdoorsman, Tim enjoyed traveling, backpacking, canoe trips and biking. He took his family on many, many trips through the years, and hosted a huge annual sledding party on his land. Tim loved his family and cherished the time spent with them and will be deeply missed.
Tim is survived by his wife, Sharon; two daughters, Kimberly (Cory Koziczkowski) Backes of Plover and Ashley (Ross) Neumann of Cedarburg; siblings, David (Pam) Backes, Dan (Chris) Backes, Mary (Chris) Willcome, Mike (Pat) Jahner, Mike (Alice) Backes and Christine (Roger) Breske and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Theresa in infancy.
A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wittenberg. Rev. Sharon Fox Bogen will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery, Wittenberg. The funeral service will be limited to 50 people and will be live-streamed on the Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home Facebook page. It will also be available at schmidtschulta.com for future viewing.
A walk through visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Social distancing will be practiced and the wearing of masks is strongly encouraged to protect everyone.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
