Sue Pergolski
Sue Pergolski, 57, Rothschild, passed away Monday, January 17th, 2022 at home with complications from Covid and dementia following a short hospitalization.
Sue was born April 19, 1964 in Wausau, daughter of Ronald and Rometta Goetsch, She graduated from Wausau East High School and attended Northcentral Technical College.
Sue married Tom Pergolski in October 2003. She worked with her parents for 30 years at Wausau Monument and purchased the business in 2005 when her parents retired. A diagnosis of early onset dementia forced Sue to leave the business in 2016, at which time Tom began to manage the day-to-day operations with Sue by his side until she was no longer able.
She enjoyed scrapbooking, quilting, building campfires and spending time with her family.
Survivors, in addition to her husband Tom and parents, Ronald and Rometta include, sister, Lori (Mike); children, Logan, Danielle (John), Kelly, Kim and Josh (Leslei); grandchildren, Ava, Mykko, Millie, Hunter, Riley, Ella, Ransom and Leila.
An open house visitation will be 2:00 – 4:00 pm Saturday, January 29, 2022 at the Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel in Weston, 5713 Memorial Ct. Brainard Funeral Home of Weston is assisting the family. www.BrainardFuneral.com
DuWayne A. Balk
DuWayne Balk, 74, Wausau, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 in his home.
He was born July 13, 1947, in Oshkosh. He is the son of the late Albert and Marie (Hazen) Balk. He married Alyce Whippler on October 5, 1966 and is survived by her.
He served as medic in the Army and went to Vietnam from 1968-1969.
Prior to his retirement, DuWayne held many different jobs; he was a surgical technician at Aspirus Hospital, he worked as CNA for North Central Health Care, and worked in purchasing at Wausau Hospital. In recent years, DuWayne was a certified CPR Instructor and taught CPR to many different businesses throughout the Wausau area. DuWayne is a seven-degree black belt in Karate and continued to learn and teach classes up until he got diagnosed with cancer. DuWayne was considered a triple threat he could act, dance, and sing and he loved to perform. He showcased his talent with his granddaughters in their ballet performances- he played the roles of Geppetto in Pinocchio and Uncle Drosselmeyer in the Nutcracker. His granddaughters taught him how to tap dance and he performed with them at their dance recitals.
He is survived by his wife Alyce Balk and children Colleen (Rob), Kevin (Jamie), and Karen (John), his grandchildren Caryssa, Kelsee, Kylie, Makinna, Madisen, Camryn Balk, step-grandchild Jesse Mullens, and his great-grandchildren Rory and Shea Stankowski, and his brothers Don (Audrey) and Albert Jr., and many nieces and nephews
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters Bernadine and Alberta, and his two older brothers Charles and Herbie.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at St. Anne Parish, 700 W Bridge St, Wausau and again Friday, January 28, 2022 from 10:00 am until the Mass at 11:00 am at St. Anne Parish. Fr. Tom Lindner will officiate.
Terry L. Harvey
On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Terry Lynn (Dreyer) Harvey peacefully entered into eternal life.
Terry was born on January 9th,1952 in Kenosha, Wi. to Norman and Doris (Warner) Dreyer. Just out of High school she married Kenneth R. Gunderson, they were married for 17yrs. and together had two children, Jeremy and Jenny. Terry was a hard worker that dedicated 25 plus years to Wal-Mart where she eventually met her soulmate, Mr. Terry Harvey. On June 23, 2001 they were married and welcomed his children Kris and Tina into the family. As husband and wife, they both shared the same name and soon became known as Mr and Mrs. T, or TNT.
Terry’s life was filled with many accomplishments, her biggest being her family. She was known for her infectious smile, generosity and compassionate spirit. She was a strong woman that was never reluctant to say what she thought or to help anyone in need. Terry also loved going to church, traveling with family, and spending time at their second home in Wisconsin Dells.
Terry was preceded in death by her father, Norman and her mother, Doris. She is survived by her husband Terry, and their four children, Jeremy (Amber), Jenny (Dan), Tina (Marc) and Kris, her grandchildren Gary, Adam, Ariel, Mikayla, Cailey, Davin and Sophia and her great grandchildren Ryker and Isabella, siblings Darlene (Dan), Bob (Marge), Norma and Wendy along with several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life is being held at Roma Lodge in Racine, WI on March 5, 2022 from 4-9 pm to honor and celebrate Terry’s life.
Roger W. Sydow
Roger Sydow 73, of Wausau, passed away at home Monday after a brief hospitalization due to heart failure.
He is survived by his loving wife Jean, siblings; Sally Sarlot, Diana Nickel, Lynda Emmons, Jim (Pam) Sydow, Mary (Ken) Fisher and Mike (Lynne) Sydow, in -laws; Marcia Pospychalla (Jeff Holzem), Joan Grubbs, Le Roy (Kay) Ostrowski, Denis Stencil, and Dianne Sydow. He is further survived by an extended family of nephews, nieces and cousins. He was the son of Clarence and Margaret Sydow.
Roger was a 1966 graduate of WHS and proudly served in the US Army in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne Division. While on active duty, he suffered a back injury and was sent stateside to recover. After his return to civilian life in Wausau, he met the love of his life, Jean Ostrowski, and they were married on August 19, 1972, at Holy Name Church, Wausau.
In the 1970’s after leaving UWSP, Roger began his career with the City of Wausau, retiring as the head of Inspections Department in 2011.
Roger proudly continued his service to our country through his participation in the Wausau VWF, Burns Post 388, holding many positions including Post Commander and 7th District Commander. He was an active member of the Honor Guard, Fair Committee and Bingo. He served on the City of Wausau Veterans Committee.
The family wants to give special thanks to Interim Hospice Care Nurse Monica.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, with military services beginning at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park with full military honors at the grave conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post No. 388, Wausau. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Arthur T. Gacke
Arthur “Art” T Gacke, 84, of Marathon, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly with his wife and daughter by his side on January 12, 2022 to be with God.
He was born to the late Julius and Verna (Duberstein) Gacke on February 19, 1937 in Guenther, WI. He married his loving wife Bonnie (Castona-Rozella) in October 1964. Together they raised 4 children John (Belinda) Rozella, Marathon, Daniel (Stephanie Brecke) Gacke, Weston, Sue (Brian) Stencil, Marathon, and Kurt (Robyn) Gacke, Marathon. He is survived by 7 grandchildren Michael (Shannon) Gacke, Melissa (Michael) Janke, Ann (Dominic Draghi) Rozella, Eric Stencil, Stephanie (Adam) Thiel, Ethan and Evan Gacke. Four great-grandchildren Hunter, Owen, Darrell and Aubree. He is also survived by his special sister-in-law and brother-in-law Judy and Gordon Vesely, his siblings Leonard, Vernon, Edward, Dave (Paulette), and Jean (Elmer) Wolf, many other relatives and friends who were like family.
Arthur served his country from 1955-1958 as an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.
Art was a farmer, electrician, pilot and retired as a general supervisor of many family projects. He loved the outdoors and has passed this down to his family. He was an avid gardener and always kept a garden so large that could be seen from the heavens. We are sure he will be sitting in his lawn chair in heaven watching to make sure we try to keep it going. He spent many an hour driving around in his Kubota(UTV) and checking on the land. He enjoyed spending time at the pond with his grandchildren, great grandchildren and his grand-dogs. He loved to sit back in “his” chair to talk with people and was always ready to share in a good story. He enjoyed making his daily phone call rounds to check in to see how things were going and always reminded you to “stay out of trouble.”
Along with his parents, Art was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law Gordon and Elsie Castona.
Art was a proud member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Services will be held at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church 206 Hemlock St. Marathon on January 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. until the time of services. Pastor Jon Hadler will officiate. The service will be livestreamed on the St Matthew Lutheran Church – Marathon, WI – WELS Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Marathon or St. Matthew’s Little Lions Child Care Center. You may view Art’s obituary and leave online condolences at www.midwisconsincreamationsociety.com.
Dean R. McKinley Jr.
Dean Ray McKinley Jr., 62 of Merrill WI, formerly of Wausau WI, was born July 28th 1959 to Dean “Red” McKinley Sr., and Christine (Kryshak) McKinley.
Dean passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on January 5th 2022.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Valerian “Val” and Anastacia “Virginia” Kryshak, and his paternal grandparents Henry and Hazel McKinley, his father Dean “Red” McKinley Sr., his Aunt Mary Jane Sikes and her husband Uncle Rex Sikes. And his fiancé Debra’s grandchildren Kyleigh and Gavin Fochs.
Dean attended Wausau West High School then years after working at 7-UP, Wausau Homes and Marathon Electric, he continued his education and graduated from the NTC Plumbing & Steamfitters Apprenticeship Program, where he became employed by the UA Local #434. He worked with them for over 25 years.
In Deans earlier days he enjoyed traveling with the family, playing foosball, shooting pool, downhill skiing, hunting (with his brother Mark and son Adam), boating, fishing (he was a member of the Bass Club and entered many bass fishing tournaments and won many trophies and awards), coin collecting, he loved spending time at his cabin on Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk WI. Dean was a great cook and well known for his beer can chicken and Brett Favre Chile. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and NASCAR. Dean loved the Blues, and for a few years he was a member of the Great Northern Blues Society and attended many of the Big Bull Falls Blues Fest and Blues Café. Dean also loved his Silverado pickup truck that he had for many years, he even had personalized Packer Plates “DEAN”
Dean is survived by his fiancé Debra Kasten also of Merrill. They met on his Birthday in 2001 and immediately they fell in Love. They had their up and downs throughout the years but the Love was always there. He is also survived by his mother Christine Kryshak, Tomahawk WI, his children, son Adam McKinley, Athens WI, and daughter Nichole (Travis) Thurs, Wausau WI. His grandchildren Landon Thurs and Jaslynn Thurs, Wausau WI. His sister Roxanne “Roxy” McKinley, Wausau WI, and his brother Mark (Rita) McKinley, Harrison Hills WI, His Uncle Guy (Elaine) Kryshak, Harrison Hills WI. His cousins Rex Sikes, Brookfield WI and Gina Sikes, Los Angelos CA., Valerian “Val” Kryshak and Melissa “Chris-mis” Kryshak-Fake, Harrison Hills WI. Debra’s daughter’s, Tanya (Zeike) Jones, Jessica, Kassandra, Terra (Logan) Calmes, and her 12 grandchildren that adored him, and their fur baby shih-Tsu Jager.
Per Dean’s request there will not be a funeral, there will however be a celebration of Life this summer… TBD
This is not “Good Bye” Dean, may you rest in peace until we all meet again…
