Patricia Gaye Spencer Simmons
Patricia Gaye Simmons, 61, Elcho, died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Patricia was born January 15, 1959 to Jack and Bonnie (Holz) Spencer. She was blessed with one son, Jeff. Patricia worked as a Registered Nurse in the North Woods for nearly 20 years.
Patricia was a very good mother and grandmother who valued her strong family bonds. She was an extremely caring, generous and compassionate person who sought to care for others and help those in need when ever she could. For more then 20 years, Patricia lived on Post Lake where she enjoyed boating, going 4-wheeling with her son and the peacefulness of lake life. She liked to travel, especially to Puerta Vallarta during the cold Wisconsin winters, and old country music but her favorite pastime was shopping where she became known as a stealth shopper by her family.
Patricia is survived by her son, Jeff Wunrow; grandson, Brandon Wunrow; mother, Bonnie Spencer, brothers, Jack (Lori) Spencer Jr., Bruce (Cheryl Geiger) Spencer and Scott (Lisa) Spencer; nephew, Jack Spencer III and her beloved fur-baby, Molly. She is preceded in death by her father, Jack Spencer Sr.
There will be a private family gathering to celebrate Patricia’s life at a later date. Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at brainardfuneral.com.
Doris Burke
Doris R. Burke, 65, Wausau, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born July 8, 1955 in Stanley, WI, daughter of the late Jack and Frances (Sawczuk) Burke.
Among her favorite pastimes, Doris enjoyed embroidery, reading, volunteer work for several area organizations and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Survivors include, five siblings, Carol (David) Krause, Wausau, John (Beth) Burke, Wausau, Betty Burke, Minneapolis, MN, Teresa Burke, Wausau and Ann (Thomas) Rogers, Howards Grove; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Thomas.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2020 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau. Deacon Ervin Burkhardt will officiate. Burial will be in the West Spencer Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Face masks are encouraged and social distancing will be observed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be distributed to several area charities.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Margaret Puerner
Margaret E. Puerner, 91, Wausau, died Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born March 2, 1929 in Randolph, WI, daughter of the late Robert and Gertrude (Smith) Thomas. On July 12, 1952 she married Robert Puerner in Randolph. He preceded her in death on October 2, 1976.
Margaret was a stay at home mother, worked at West Park Clothing Store in Wausau and taught at St. Therese Catholic School, Rothschild. She was a member of the St. Matthew PCCW, enjoyed volunteering at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and was an avid reader.
Survivors include, three daughters, Kathy Puerner, Marshfield, Mary McCulloch, Albuquerque, NM and Jean Puerner, Wausau; one granddaughter, Carrie McCulloch, Paris, TN; four nieces, Susan Woltman, Judi Kornash-Underwood, Diane Irvin and Linda Daly; and one nephew, Jim Puerner.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau. Rev. Robert Thorn will officiate. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Cynthia Kondzela
Cynthia M. Kondzela, 74, of Weston, went home to her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
She was born on November 7, 1945, to the late Henry and Esther (Zoromski) Kondzela. After graduating from high school, Cynthia took a few classes at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and went to Northcentral Technical College for two years. After completing school, she went on to work for the University of Wisconsin, Wausau. She retired after 35 years as the Program Assistant to University Relations. Cynthia was very close to her Lord. She spent many hours reciting the rosary, was active at her church, St. Therese Parish, and was a very generous and giving person.
In her early years, Cynthia enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling; while in her more recent years, she found herself enjoying reading, making crafts, and going on outings with her friends. Throughout her life, Cynthia was always a kind and caring person. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at St. Therese Parish, 311 Kort Street, Rothschild. Father Joseph Albert will officiate. A visitation will take place from 10:00 am until the time of services at the church. Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Kronenwetter. Friends and family may go to helke.com to leave words of remembrance and online condolences.
Lillian “Sissy” Mootz
Lillian “Sissy” Ruth Mootz, 97, of Schofield, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.
She was born on July 20, 1923, to the late Frank and Elsie (Goetsch) Schultz in the town of Maine. Lillian grew up there as a hard-working farm girl and also attended school. She met John Mootz at a dance, and they were married on December 7, 1940 at Faith Lutheran Church. John and Lillian were wed prior to him leaving for World War II.
After serving in the war, John built the family home in Schofield where they lived for many years. Lillian enjoyed time outdoors tending to her garden, loved animals, and will be remembered for her excellent baking and cooking skills. She liked time up north at the cottage with John and snowmobiling as well. Another quality that many will remember is that Lillian always was concerned about others and never had a bad word to say about anybody.
Survivors include her husband of 79 years, John; son, Gary (Rita) Mootz of Merrill; daughter, Mary (Mike) Andrzcyzak of Kronenwetter; grandchildren, Laurie (Keith) Withers, Kay (Jim) Kratwell, Kim (Dan) Kratwell, Scott (Jancy) Kleiber, Amy (Randy) Renken, Jenny Kuether, and Erin Whitney; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother, Jim (Rosalie) Schultz; sister-in-law, Eloise Schultz; many nieces and nephews; and granddog, Charlotte.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Elsie Schultz; brothers, Franklin, Oscar, Edward, and Lawrence Schultz; daughters, Baby Mootz and Katherine Kuether; great-grandson, Tyler; son-in-law, Barry Kuether; and daughter-in-law, Cheryl Mootz.
A funeral service will be at 12:00 noon on Monday, August 31, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, with Rev. Zach Holdorf officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Entombment will be on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Restlawn Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, town of Texas.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Due to current recommendations masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.
Brenda Elizabeth Kroll
Brenda Elizabeth Kroll, 60, of the Town of Rome, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 24, 2020. Brenda was born on July 17, 1960 and adopted by Arnold and Shirley Baltus of Wisconsin Rapids. She was a lifelong employee of the Daily Tribune and the Wisconsin Rapids Buyer’s Guide, only having retired in 2019.
Brenda was known for her compassion to animals, her optimistic spirit, and her generous heart for caregiving. She often took in others that needed help and devoted many of her adult years to caring for her aging parents.
Brenda is survived by her three children, Mike Lutz, Melissa (Jose) Lutz, and Melanie (Ryan) Quam, her grandchildren, Cody and Payton Lutz, Adrian Meza, Claire and Garrett Quam, her two brothers, Brian and Brent (Becky) Baltus, and her sister Babette (Tracy) Baltus, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and her very special dog, Daisy. She is predeceased by her parents, Arnold and Shirley Baltus.
Visitation will be held from 10am-12pm at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home on Monday, August 31. Funeral services will follow at 12 pm with Beth Rohn-Habhegger officiating and burial taking place at Forest Hill Cemetery.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com
