Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Barbara Hendron
Barbara Jean Hendron, 72, Wausau, died Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Barbara was born June 29, 1948, in Highland Park, Illinois, to the late Jack and Mary Ann (Rau) Hilton. She was united in marriage to Gerald Hendron on Sept. 7, 1979, in Chicago. The couple was blessed with one son, David. The family retired to St. Germain from Chicago and then moved to Wausau.
Barbara was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a sweet and humorous woman who was delightful to be with. Barbara dearly loved all of the pets she had through the years and had a great love of all animals. In her free time, she enjoyed shopping online and reading books.
Barbara is survived by her beloved husband of 41 years, Gerald; son, David (fiancée, Karin Turnbull); granddaughter, Kailyn Hendron; great-granddaughter, Rose; numerous nieces and nephews; and her darling cats and dog. She is preceded in death by her brother, Richard Hilton.
Friends may gather to pay their respects to Barbara and her family from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St., Wausau. There will be a private family committal at a later date at the St. Germain Cemetery where Barbara will be laid to rest in peace. Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at brainardfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Best Friends Animal Society at bestfriends.org.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Aspirus Wausau Hospital during Barbara’s time of need for their compassionate and skilled care.
Verna Erickson
Verna A. Erickson, 94, of Wausau passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, while under the care of LeRoyer Hospice at Clover Leaf Assisted Living, Birnamwood.
She was born Aug. 12, 1925, in Marathon County, daughter of the late Walter and Bertha (Winter) Tress. On May 21, 1949, she married the love of her life, Harry Erickson, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, town of Texas. He preceded her in death on March 27, 1997.
For a short time, Verna was employed with Marathon Battery. Among her favorite pastimes she and Harry enjoyed spending time at their hunting shack in Boulder Junction and their cottage on North Turtle Lake near Winchester. She loved dancing with her husband to concertina and polka bands.
Verna also enjoyed having three close friends over just about every Sunday for coffee and dessert.
Survivors include her sister-in-law, Ruth Erickson, Antigo and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and her loving husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Alice Westberg and her nephew Ricky Westberg.
Public visitation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Social distancing guidelines will be observed. Graveside services will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Memorials may be directed to LeRoyer Hospice, Antigo. Online condolences can be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Nancy Zitek
Nancy Alberdeen Zitek, 81, of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 3, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau.
She was born in South Carolina to the late Gordon Cates Sr. and Mary Sauls Cates.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brothers Gordon Cates Jr. and Frank Cates.
Nancy worked as a nurse and spent most of her time as an educator and Associate Dean at Northcentral Technical College where she worked for many years before retiring.
Nancy’s friends and family were of the utmost importance to her. She built long lasting friendships with so many she encountered. She enjoyed traveling and was rarely without a four-footed companion as she loved and cared for numerous dogs through the years.
She is survived by her brother Deana (Suzane) Cates, son Stanley (Lisa) Zitek; grandchildren Cory Zitek, Caleb Zitek, Cody Zitek, great-grandson Hudson, as well as nieces and nephews.
The family has decided to have services and a gathering for family and friends at a later date.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HonorOne.com.
David “Butch” Nemke
David “Butch” Nemke passed peacefully to his heavenly home on Aug. 7, 2020. He was born Sept. 18, 1942, to Walter and Ursella “Jerry” (Kotas) Nemke.
Dave married Marcie (Zogata) Oct. 30, 1976; she survives. Also surviving are his children Derik (Trisha Will) and Lena (Matt Repking), his three beautiful granddaughters Layla, Anna and Abigail, his sister Terry (Stuart) Schmidt, brother Jim (Rita) Blarek, and many nieces and nephews.
He is further survived by his lifelong friend Donnie Budleski and other special friends who teamed up with him to complete many projects at St Florian’s Parish. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Patricia Rucinski, brothers-in-law Dan Rucinski and Mike Zogata, mother-in-law Esther Zogata and special friends Mark Slagoski and Ray Malchowski.
Speed was part of Butch’s nature. He loved snowmobile racing and was proud to have been very competitive against the factory sponsored sleds in the USSA Mod II Class. Racing Go-Carts on Ice Tracks with Derik was his next passion. A 1966 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi, once owned by Butch and his brother Jim, is now on display at Brickner’s of Wausau showroom. His racing memorabilia hangs in his garage. For many years, he could be found working out in his shop with friends and family with classic country music on the radio. He was always willing to help someone, had any tool and the insight to fix anything. He did it all with a smile on his face and love in his heart. Butch was never short of a wise-crack or a flirty remark. He loved everyone. He spent many years as a Millwright and took great pride in his work. He analyzed things with a precise eye and enjoyed teaching anyone who would listen. Dave loved and cared for his family, friends, church and community. He will be missed by many.
Due to current public health and safety risks, private family services will be held. The Mass of Christian Burial will be live streamed on Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Homes Facebook page at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, and will then will be available at SchmidtSchulta.com.
The Nemke Family would like to thank the staff at Mount View Care Center for their compassionate care for Butch.
Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
