Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Patricia McKeough
Patricia (Pascha) McKeough died on July 29, 2020, in the beautiful and sustainable home she built herself in Guffey, Colorado. Pascha was born on Oct. 15, 1940, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Marie (Novak) and James McGinnity.
She graduated from Argyle High School, then received her Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from UW-Madison, Wisconsin. She enjoyed her med tech career for 30 years, then moved on to a new career of massage therapy, which she practiced for another 30 years.
Together with Patrick McKeough, during their 27 year marriage, she raised her family in Rothschild, Wisconsin. Pascha was called to do healing work at the Morningstar Healing Center in Wisconsin for some years before moving to Colorado, where she continued the work at the Gaia Wellness Center near Guffey. She spent 12 years building an earthship, named it Gaia, and that became her home and wellness center. Pascha was passionately committed to her personal spiritual journey, begun at the Christine Center for Meditation and St. Anthony’s Retreat center, both in Wisconsin. She experienced deep joy and satisfaction through her healing work with those who came to the centers. She liked to say, “This is my dream come true” as she invited all to come to rest, relax, go within, and meet their very self while being supported, loved and listened to.
Many will deeply miss her, though her presence is not at all diminished. She has spent the last 30 years running Gaia Healing Center, serving as a spiritual life coach who shared her gift of heart-sharing with retreatants in person or by phone, and wrapped her sessions in warmth, compassion, laughter and creativity. It was during her time in Guffey that Pascha met her beloved partner of many years, Elizabeth Baldridge.
Pascha was a devoted mother, grandmother, partner, sister, aunt and beloved confidante of many. Pascha was a mother like no other. She defined what a genuine, most loving mother is. She spent countless hours raising her four children, supporting every activity, teaching piano lessons, writing public speeches, camping, and countless other selfless acts of unconditional love. She instilled the values of family, faith, integrity, honesty, kindness and love into her children and grandchildren. Values that will live on forever.
Pascha brought passion and life to anything that she did, as many can attest who shared a project or a hike through her beloved Rockies. Pascha was an avid outdoorswoman; many who loved her joined her in nature adventures. She leaves behind a heartbroken family who wasn’t ready to let her go as we relied on her wisdom, depth of spirit and generous giving nature. We are strengthened by knowing that she died as she lived: on her terms, active and vibrant to the end.
Pascha is survived by her partner, Elizabeth Baldridge, her former husband Patrick, her daughter, Jean McKeough (Jack) Mlsna, sons John (Amy), Tim (Heather) and Stephen, as well as grandchildren, Drew and Cassie (David Schlecht) Mlsna, Samantha (Justin Werker) and Max McKeough, Hadyn and Sage McKeough and Augie McGinnity-Wake.
Pascha is further survived by her siblings: Nancy McGinnity, Mary Cochems, Sue (Bob) Simon, Odra McGinnity (Rebecca Ryan), Tom (Maggie) McGinnity, Geri McGinnity (Tom Wroblewski), Maureen McGinnity (Dick Ziervogel), Dan (Mary) McGinnity, Kate McGinnity (Bob Wake) as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Pascha was preceded in death by her parents, James and Marie McGinnity, sister JoAnne Farrell, brother Jim McGinnity, nephew Danny Boy McGinnity and other cherished family members.
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we say goodbye to those we love, so regretfully we are not hosting an in-person celebration of Pascha’s life at this time. For the time being, we invite you to visit the Gaia Wellness Center Facebook Page and share your Pascha stories, tributes, pictures and memories, as we celebrate and keep Pascha present in our lives.
We encourage all to celebrate Pascha’s life safely in a way that most honors your connection with her.
As a way to remember Pascha in lieu of flowers, the Pascha (McGinnity) McKeough Memorial Fund has been established through the McGinnity Family Foundation to support Pascha’s beloved Guffey community and youth-led projects that reflect her values and beliefs. Contributions can be made online by visiting https://Paschamemorial.givesmart.com or checks made payable to the McGinnity Family Foundation can be mailed to: PO Box 342164, Milwaukee, WI 53234
Leah Pagel
Leah J. Pagel, 96, passed away peacefully Aug. 5 at Rennes Health and Rehab Center under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Leah was born on Sept. 6, 1923, in Wausau, to the late Walter and Emily (Tetzlaff) Fluegel. Following her graduation from Wausau High School, she worked in the secretarial field until she met and married Edward Pagel on Aug. 3, 1946. After several years in Antigo, Wisconsin, they relocated to Wausau where they raised their family and enjoyed life together.
Leah’s greatest loves were music, visiting with family and friends and all of her job opportunities that life offered. She was employed by Wausau Furniture Co., Wausau East and West high schools, Northcentral Technical Institute and several part-time positions after her initial retirement.
She is survived by her two daughters Diane Downing, Wausau; Jan (Ron) Nickel, Phoenix, Arizona, and daughter-in-law Deb Pagel; special friends, Rhonda and Barry Hallam; sister-in-law, Marilyn Fluegel, Federal Way, Washington; eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Ed, son Bruce, son-in-law Bill Downing, sister Lois Kusel and brother Keith Fluegel.
A graveside service for Leah will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at Restlawn Cemetery, Wausau. Pastor Ray Conner of Mount Olive Lutheran Church will officiate. To comply with current CDC recommendations for COVID-19, the family requests that appropriate social distancing measures are followed by those who choose to attend the service.
Heartfelt appreciation goes to The Renaissance Weston, Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and Ronda Hallam for their kind and compassionate care for Leah and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Leah’s name may be directed to Brainard Funeral Home, to forward onto family, for a future charitable donation.
Jack McCune
Jack Lee McCune, 55, of Wausau passed away at his home on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020.
Jack was born in Marshfield on Jan. 20, 1965. He worked for Newby’s Evergreen Farms for over 20 years, expertly shearing and shaping the Christmas trees for hundreds of families to take home to decorate and place their presents under.
Jack was a good man. He was a good friend, an amazing son and nephew and a caring cousin. Jack loved to grow and nurture things and had a green thumb. He especially enjoyed tending to his desert rose plants and doing his daily care routine for the local hummingbirds. Jack was always there to help his family and friends, whether it was taking care of his best friend Kathy’s dog Joey, tending to his aunt and uncle’s farm while they were away, or helping his cousins, Bralynn, Dawn, and LeAnn; he was happy to be of assistance. He also enjoyed going fishing with his friend Jim, and “hanging out” with Larry and Brian. Jack’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Jack is survived by his aunts and uncles, Diann and Charles Newby, Sandra and Robert Kilcoyne, and Karel Judy and Patrick Drapes; his best friend Kathy; as well as many cousins and special friends.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at Pine Grove Cemetery, 1501 Grand Ave., Wausau. Family and friends may go to www.helke.com to leave words of remembrance and condolences.
Margaret Bennett
Margaret passed on Aug. 5, 2020. She was born Feb. 20, 1935, to Ted and Myrtle Esther Sage in Chicago, Illinois.
She graduated from Downers Grove Illinois high school in 1953 and from DeKalb Northern Illinois University in 1957.
Neil and Margaret were married Jan. 27, 1957, for 62 years.
They had three children, Kelly (Ron Desrosiers), Paul, Ward (Diane Ollhoff) and two grandchildren Donovan and Etienne Desrosiers.
Margaret taught primary grades in Illinois and Merrill, Wisconsin, Maple Grove school in Hamburg and Lincoln School in Merrill for many years.
She loved gardening, genealogy, quilting, camping and was an avid reader.
There will be no services as per Margaret’s wishes. Instead, take a walk in the woods, love flowers.
“We are all part of this wonderful, beautiful natural world, Enjoy!”
We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Aspirus Hospice House for their loving care of our Mom.
Delores Cottrell
Delores Elaine Cottrell, 82, of Kronenwetter passed away peacefully at the Hospice House on Aug. 4, 2020. She was born to Alfred and Selma (Volz) Fehlhaber on Aug. 27, 1937. She married Gary Cottrell on Sept. 7, 1957, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Hamburg, Wisconsin. Together they shared 54 years together.
Delores is survived by her one son, Wayne (Renee) Cottrell, three grandchildren Alicia, Cale and Garrett, one brother Eugene (Marlene) Fehlhaber, two nieces Jennifer and Kelly Fehlhaber.
She is preceded in death by her late husband, Gary, who passed on April 1, 2011, two sons Allen and Roger, along with her parents, Alfred and Selma.
Delores enjoyed traveling and had many hobbies, but the top of her list was spending time with her grandchildren, who she adored. She loved to watch NASCAR racing and cheering on her son, Wayne, at the local racetracks. On many occasions she could be found at a table putting puzzles together or in a serious game of sheepshead.
Services will be held on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, with a visitation from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and a prayer service at 4 p.m., officiated by Pastor Kathy Jury.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.
Gary Wisz
Gary F. Wisz, born April 20, 1957, passed away peacefully at his residence on Aug. 4, 2020.
Gary was a funny, outgoing man who spent most of his life on a Harley. He had over 300,000 miles on his bike all throughout the United States. In his later years, he loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. Gary had worked for the Mosinee Paper Mill for his entire life, 44 years. He was passionate man with many friends. He was always smiling and laughing, and a Miller Light in hand.
Ten years ago Gary met his wife, Karen Simonis. They enjoyed vacationing, relaxing and enjoying life. On April 23, 2014, they flew off to Las Vegas, Nevada, and got married. His wife says, “I love you, Bear, and will miss you very much.”
Survivors include his wife, Karen (Simonis) Wisz of Mosinee, his parents Ludwig and Helen Wisz of Mosinee, his sister Linda (Tom Mielke), his brothers Myron (Beverly) Wisz, and Al (Roxanne) Wisz, Barbara Simonis, mother in law along with many brothers and sisters in law. Gary had two children from his first marriage, Eric Wisz (Ashley), and Danielle Hall (Robert Hall), along with 2 step children who he loved as his own, Presley Sullivan and Conway Guenther. Gary has 5 grandchildren who were the light of his World, include Logan, Ainsley, Hadley, Beckett and Isla.
Services will be held at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home, 900 Old Highway 51, Mosinee, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, with a visitation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by service at 1 p.m.
John Schellin
One warm evening in the summer, I asked my grandfather to tell me about his life. Across the smoky bonfire, his eyes sparkled with delight.
Well, it just so happened one September 13 in the year 1935, Minnie and Otto brought me into this world, and evidence of that is clear. They gave me charm and a good strong back-and those have served me well. As soon as I could take a step, I wanted for a nice sturdy stick. To beat away all the pretty girls who came courting me with kisses and candies. Too eager and they’ll never tempt me, but I’ll never forget “whatshername.” I knew that I was quite a catch and needed a love to match.
It was in our family’s home that my mother brought me here. My siblings Jim, Bette, and Faye made my companions in Wittenberg. We fished, and ran, and ate corn, and built mammoths of aviation. Trouble we caused and trouble we got. Still, what an adventure.
After Wittenberg high, I signed on to serve the nation’s needs. Death thought he had me then, but home from Korea I came. I had fought enough and wanted peace and a woman to call my bride.
So then one fateful evening at a bar north of town, the one I had searched for long and hard appeared before my eyes. A friend had introduced us. We smiled, and danced, and dreamed. I talked and talked and talked. She listened, and she listened, and listened.
Only a few months later, I married Beverly and treasured her- for I had finally met my match. Her kindness, generosity, and patience bless her darling heart. Who but she could wrangle such a jolly and handsome rover?
Beverly and I had adventures then. We made a family. Wendy and David joined us, and made our family whole. They would go off to start families of their own, and give us more rug rats to spoil.
As for myself? I traveled all over and charmed and gabbed and lived the busy, bustling life of the salesman. You’d be forgiven for laughing, but this is true I say- many said I was the best at my trade. Best there was, to be exact.
As for the way I lived? I didn’t hold back. I laughed, and joked, and charmed. People knew me all over the world. You can laugh again, that’s fine. But anywhere you go with me, your shock might cause a scene. As random passers-by call out “IF THAT ISN’T JACK SCHELLIN!”
It wasn’t always perfect, but in a way it was. I took flight when I was so inclined. I bought lakefront houses on a whim. I fixed what was broken – or close to fixed at least. I always offered wisdom, and often nonsense, too. My stories they were tall, and my jokes were often blue.
My beautiful bride was always there, just happy to keep me fed. She listened to my jokes, sometimes. She saved my life a time or two. The life I had, I owed to her. She gave me my family. Such a big audience to entertain, so many adoring hearts. They’ll tell my story when I’m gone. And many won’t believe them. But I was the best salesman in the world, and I was adored long beyond my last breath.
What more could an old fart like me ask for?
Jack left us peacefully on August 2. But his story will go on.
Written by: Chris Uhrich
