Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Kim “Kimmer” Krueger
Kim “Kimmer” Krueger, 66, of Weston entered eternal life on July 30, 2020, at Copperleaf Assisted Living, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born May 14, 1954, to Harvey and Elaine (Hunt) Krueger in Wausau, Wisconsin. He graduated from D.C. Everest Senior High in 1972. He married Cheri Hoernke on Oct. 27, 1979, at the Rib Mountain Chalet. At 16 years of age, he began working for his father’s business, Wausau Brick and Gypsum and continued his career working for the village of Weston from 1989 to 2014.
Kim’s lifelong passion was carnivals and creating HO scale carnival rides. He also had a passion for eating desserts and anything sweet. He loved playing cribbage, cards, and watching his favorite John Wayne country westerns. He was an avid grouse and turkey hunter. He loved to shoot hoops with his daughter, Jenna, and coached her basketball team. Kim took great pride in his yard and flower gardens; in fact, he was known in the neighborhood as “Mr. Home & Garden.” Kim also enjoyed playing his conga drums and listening to Santana.
Kim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cheri; his daughter, Jenna (Chuck) Wesenick and his grandchildren, Quinnlynn, Liam, and Jocelynn. He is further survived by his father, Harvey Krueger; siblings, Chris Dolphin, Jackie (George) Tetzlaff, John (Laurie) Krueger, Steve (Lynne) Krueger, and Sue (Gordi) Rusch; as well as many other relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elaine Krueger.
A Celebration of Kim’s Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, at Christ Community Church, 8100 Alderson St., Schofield. Dr. Robin C. Wilde will officiate. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Social distancing will be appreciated. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Copperleaf Assisted Living for their tender care of Kim, and a special thanks to Tim, Nancy, and the staff of Interim Hospice Care.
Kim’s gentle and kind spirit will be missed by all the lives he touched.
Chu Lo
On Thursday, July 23, 2020, Chu Wa Lo passed away peacefully at the age of 67 of natural causes under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Chu Wa Lo was born on Dec. 15,1952, in Laos. In 1967 he joined and served until 1975 in the United States Special Guerrilla Unit(SGU) Special Forces in Laos. His unit supported the United States war efforts in Vietnam during the war where he attained and held the rank of Captain. In 1977 he immigrated to the United States of America where he became a naturalized citizen, grew his family, and lived the rest of his days.
He was an avid outdoorsman who really loved hunting. He never missed the start of buck season and bagged plenty of trophy bucks during the fall. He also enjoyed fishing and can be remembered coming back from trips with catches of big striped bass.
He is survived by his loving companion Xe Lee, his brothers, Lo Toua Lo, Chue Vang Lo, Xidaj Lo, Chia Sher lo, Doua Lo, sisters Chong Vang, Seng Lee, Day Lao Xiong, Mao Yang, Ib Xiong, Yer Lo, sons David, Jack, Fu, Lucky, Johnson, daughters Lida, Pada, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Teng Lo, Xai Ge Lo, Pa Cha Lo and sister Mai Lee.
A viewing will be held starting on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Procession from funeral home to burial site meets on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home and proceeds to burial site at Restlawn Memorial Park, 235962 North Troy St., Wausau.
Steven “Steve” Brodziski
On Aug. 1, 2020, Jesus said, Steve, you fought a good fight these last 10 ½ months, you suffered enough, now it’s time to come home. Steve, 77, was born May 11, 1943, the son of the late Anton and Helen (Felzkowski) Brodziski in the town of Rietbrock. He attended St. Anthony School and graduated in 1961 from the Athens High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines on Sept. 14, 1961, and served until his honorable discharge in 1964 with most of his last six months spent in Cuba during the Cuban Crisis.
On June 23, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart Gloria Schreiner, and they were married for 58 years.
After service, he worked part time for Joe Mullins Cheese Factory for eight years, while being employed at Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corp., Wausau, making electric motors and generators ranging from small to very large, retiring after 41 ½ years.
He especially enjoyed relaxing by reading and meditating on the Bible each day, as well as diligently exercising at least an hour every day. He bowled for many years with his wife and family competing in many local and state tournaments. With his wife he enjoyed vacationing to many different states seeing all the beautiful sites America has to offer, doing yard work and keeping up the flowers and landscaping, helping out on the family farm when needed, making wood, but most of all loved our family get togethers during the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries along with watching the grandkids sporting events.
Survivors include his wife Gloria, Athens; six children, Douglas and Wendy Balz, Athens, Daniel and Lynn Brandt, Spencer, Benita, Athens, Daryl, Tucson, Arizona, Julie and Daniel Ellenbecker, Athens, and Cherie and Kevin LaCombe, Eden prairie, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren, Brittany, Bryan, Mckenzie Brodziski, Beth (Jake) Day, Tyler (Mikaela) Brodziski, Taran (Heidi) Brodziski, Kyle, Ben Ellenbecker, Andy (Jessa) Ellenbecker, Mike (Autumn) Ellenbecker, Danielle (Andy) Bloch, and Jakie LaCombe, and 7 great-grandchildren, Jack and Raya Day, Lindy Brodziski, Paxton, Ryker and Emersyn Ellenbecker, and an additional newcomer expected in late December. He is survived by a sister, Marian Larson, Schofield, brothers, Michael Brodjeski, Schofield, Anthony (Ruth) Brodjeski, Kenosha, sisters-in-law, Elaine Brodjeski, Wausau, Mary Brodziski, Athens, and Darlene Brodjeski, Kenosha, and in-law, Marie Hein, Andy and Lolly Schreiner, Clarence and Dolly Schreiner, Athens, and Ceil and Warren Bartelt, Merrill.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Edward, Alex, Clement, Frank, Benedict and sister-in-law, Grace Brodjeski, and in-laws, Frank and Iris Schreiner, Gordon and Katherine Westfall, Nancy Schreiner and Edward Hein.
Funeral services will be held at Community Bible Church, Highway 97 South, Stratford, at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Pastor William Nesbitt will officiate. Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Services will be live streamed on Facebook, or for later viewing at www.petersonkraemer.com. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Athens around 2 p.m. with full military honors conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8527.
Pallbearers for the services will be grandsons, Bryan, Tyler, Taran Brodziski, Kyle, Andy, Mike and Ben Ellenbecker.
Memorials may be directed to Community Bible Church or your favorite charity.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
The family would like to thank all the nurses, CNAs, doctors and staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, for all the compassionate care and concern they showed for Steve and for our family especially during this trying time. God bless all of you!
Tony Sparks
Tony E. Sparks, 54, Wausau, passed into eternal life on Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Wisconsin Rapids.
He was born on May 8, 1966, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Moses and Martha (Nash) Sparks. Tony was the youngest of six children.
Tony attended the Life Skills program in Wausau, and later worked for the EACH vocational program at North Central Health Care. In his younger years, he enjoyed participating in the Special Olympics.
Tony never met a stranger. He greeted everyone with a hug or a handshake and a “hello my friend.” He loved to watch police shows, “The Dukes of Hazard” and his “shark movie” “Jaws.”
He had a love for babies and animals, especially dogs. Tony dearly loved his parents and siblings. He defied all odds by living 54 years and was a ray of sunshine in our family.
Survivors include his mother, Martha Sparks, Wausau; five siblings, Moses (Tammy) Sparks, Burbank, California, Sharon (Daniel) Storts, Hermitage, Tennessee, Susan (Michael) Breese, Wausau, Wisconsin, Ernie (Klaya Reinke) Sparks, Motley, Minnesota, and Nancy (Russ Roper) Sparks, Appleton, Wisconsin; 11 nieces and nephews, Jennifer Joannon, Wausau, Wisconsin, and her children Jacob, Jared, Joshua and Jaden Joannon and Carly Barthels, Sarah (Mark) Schroeder, Edgar, Wisconsin, and their children Lily, Norah and Emmett, Benjamin Breese (Amalia Becker) Madison, Wisconsin, Samuel (Alyse) Breese, Madison, Wisconsin, Rhiannon (Jon Robb) Rolson, Spring Hill, Tennessee, and her children Addie Pennington and Skylar and Max Kyle, Zachary Besaw (Jenn Swartwout) Mountlake Terrace, Washington, Jessica (Benjamin) Sorenson, Maple Grove, Minnesota, and their children Oliver and Elliott, Kevin Sparks, Richfield, Minnesota, Ken Sparks, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Zoe Sparks, Burbank, California, and Duncan Sparks, Burbank, California.
He was preceded in death by his father, Moses.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Current social distancing and masking guidelines will be followed.
The family would like to thank all of Tony’s caregivers in the Wausau area for the outstanding care and support given to Tony throughout the years. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to his sister, Susan, who kept her promise to her parents that Tony would be lovingly cared for when they no longer could.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Vivian Reissmann
Vivian R. Reissmann, 81, of Wausau passed away peacefully at Benedictine Living Community of Wausau on Aug. 1, 2020.
Vivian was born June 8, 1939, in Waupaca to the late Vernon and Dorothy (Testin) Robbins and grew up with sisters and brothers: Roselind, Leroy, Joanne and Wayne. Vivian graduated from Waupaca High school in 1957. She married Donald Reissmann on Oct. 29, 1960, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wausau. Together they had four children. Vivian retired as a supervisor of housekeeping at the Healthcare Center after 30 years of service. She was active as a den mother for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She had many hobbies, but Vivian especially liked to read and knit, but most of all, spend time with her family.
Vivian is survived by her husband Donald Reissmann; children Michael of Wausau, James (Terri) of Port Washington, Steven (Renee) of Marathon and Cynthia (Michael) Mayne of Blain, Minnesota; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and grandson Kurt Reissmann.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, Aug. 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau, with a visitation from noon until the time of service. Burial at Restlawn Memorial Park will follow. Masks and social distancing will be observed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to your favorite charity in Vivian’s name.
Vivian’s family wishes to thank the Benedictine Manor staff for the care given during Vivian’s stay.
Susan Breutzmann
Susan J. Breutzmann, 84, of Rothschild passed away Aug. 1, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Susan was born June 25, 1936, in the town of Easton to the late Theodore and Clara (Stark) Mueller. She married Howard Breutzmann on Aug. 29, 1959, and together they had two daughters. Susan worked over 27 years- first as a receptionist, then as a banking counselor for Franklin Savings & Loan, which later became known as Security Bank. She was proud of her work and enjoyed socializing with everyone she encountered. Susan was an active member at Christ Lutheran Church and enjoyed volunteering at St. Clare’s Hospital and Bethesda Thrift Shop. More than anything, even watching the Packers and Badgers, Susan was the proudest grandma of four grandsons. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Susan is survived by her husband of 60 years Howard Breutzmann; daughters Kathleen (Steve) Shulta and Mary (Todd) Woelfle; grandsons John (Brooke) Shulta, David Shulta, Erik Woelfle and Mitchell Woelfle; brother Karl Fraedrich; and many nieces, nephews and close friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Warren (Anita) Mueller.
A funeral will be held Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Family and friends may attend the service virtually by going to her obituary page at www.helke.com. Pastor David Wetmore will officiate. Burial at Pine Grove Cemetery will be held at a later date. Masks and social distancing will be observed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Townline Road, Wausau, WI 54403.
Susan’s family wishes to thank the staff at Tender Reflections for all their hard work and care.
Charles Kieliszewski
Charles Paul Kieliszewski, 66, of Milladore, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on July 31, 2020. He was born to Ambrose and Evelyn (Kuzynski) Kieliszewski on Feb. 7, 1954.
He is survived by the love of his life, Kathy. They shared 45 years together and raised four wonderful children; Lisa Kieliszewski, Rebecca (Melissa Meyer) Kieliszewski, Robert (Krystal) Kieliszewski, Karl (Heather) Kieliszewski. Four grandchildren; Dustin Kieffer, Vanessa (Mikey) Dohrwardt, Owen Kieliszewski and Evan Kieliszewski.
He is also survived by his mother, Evelyn Kieliszewski; brothers Leonard (Marcy) Kieliszewski, David (Melody) Kieliszewski, sister Dolores (Gerry) Westphal and brothers Ronald (Debby) Kieliszewski and Ernie (Tanya) Kieliszewski; along with many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father Ambrose Kieliszewski and brother Marty Kieliszewski.
Charlie had many passions but at the top of his list was spending time with his loving family. Any day was a great day when he was out on the boat fishing. A Sunday wasn’t a Sunday without his polka music. He loved to go hunting and camping and enjoyed going to tractor shows to see his favorite Allis Chalmers tractors. His favorite time of the year was Christmas. He loved to spend time in his shop tinkering and welding and was especially proud of creating his wood processor.
Charlie was a wonderful son, loving husband, father, and friend and will be dearly missed by all.
Services will be held at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church 146 Main St., Milladore, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, officiated by Father Gregory Michaud. A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. with a Mass at 11 a.m. We will be following COVID guidelines, so please wear a face mask and follow social distancing.
The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice for all their support.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.
Ann Sweeney
Ann (Andreanna) Marie Sweeney, 104, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away from natural causes on Monday, July 27, 2020, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau. She was born to the late August and Antoinette (Korda) Kirschling in a small farming community near Stockton, Wisconsin. She was one of nine siblings. Ann married the love of her life, Gerald Sweeney, on Sept. 29, 1938, and they spent 60 years as a happy couple.
She is survived by her loving children, son Larry (Sara) Sweeney, daughter Judith (Gilbert) Olski, son David (Debra) Sweeney, son Tom Sweeney; Grandchildren Becky (Chris) Skowronski, Laurie (Paul) Landgraf, Mary (Al) Crow, Kathy (Rich) Sannito, Michael (Caron-Lee) Sweeney, Justin Sweeney, Scott Sweeney; Great-Grandchildren Emily Skowronski, Jakob and Karl Landgraf, Dana and Megan Crow, Colleen and Ricky Sannito, Catelyn and Betsy Sweeney, and Great-Great Grandchild Robbie Michael.
Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, who passed away on Aug. 24, 1999. She is also preceded in death by her three brothers and five sisters.
Ann loved spending time with her family to visit and hear how they were doing. She was an avid card player and enjoyed going to the casino. She will be remembered for her kind heart and beautiful smile.
Per Ann’s wishes, private family services are being held at a later date.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
Thomas Cebula
Thomas A. Cebula passed away into a better life on Friday, July 31, 2020.
Thomas was blessed to have his wife, Jackie; two sons and three grandchildren; Clint (Brenda) and their children, Mitch and Elizabeth, and Mike and his daughter, Madisyn; three siblings; Cliff (Jenny), Dennis (Christine), and Linda (Jim).
He is now with his father and mother, Alex and Viola.
His wit and “Mr. Haney” ways will be dearly missed.
There will be a Celebration of Life starting at 2 p.m. with a blessing at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, 202,0 at The Cebula Residence, 209584 Gopher Road, Eland, WI 54427.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
