Roelof Stam
Roelof Stam, age 71, of Wausau, died on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at home after a short illness with his family by his side.
Roelof was born on October 12, 1950, in Wausau to the Berend and Hielkje Stam. After graduating from high school, he began dairy farming. Roelof was united in marriage to Carole Borchardt on October 21, 1977, in Wausau. Roelof enjoyed attending farm shows, driving tractors and just going for drives. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Wausau for many years, serving as chief at one time and was a proud member of the Easton Hewitt Wausau Lions Club. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family and all who knew him as the Sunset Country Store Mascot.
Roelof is survived by his 3 sons Michael (Angela) Borchardt, Phillip Stam and Derek (Nikki) Stam; his father Berend Stam; brother Archie (Ann) Stam of Oshkosh; grandchildren, Michelle Borchardt, Bryanna Sitko, Alex Sitko; great-grandsons, Brentley Blarek and Marcus Rykowski; brother-in-law, Fred (Sharon) Borchardt of Wausau; sister-in-law, Karen (Raymond) Wilk of Baraboo; and niece Megan (Scott) Sipiorskis of Middleton, WI. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carole Stam, his mother and his sisters-in-law, Judy (Oz) and Donna.
Private family services will be held.
The family would like to thank Compassus Hospice Care as well as Phillip and Nikki for the care shown to Roelof during his final three months.
Kristin M. Passow
Kristin M. (Nee Jensen) Passow, age 74, of Wausau passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 15, 2022. Her greatest joy was in her Lord Jesus and sharing him with others.
Kris was born on September 8, 1947, in Wausau to the late Donald and Mary (Ostrowski) Jensen. She was joined in marriage to Gary Passow on October 20, 1973.
Kris is survived by her husband, Gary Passow; nieces Laurie (Doug) Nibarger and their children Jay and Megan, and Sherry Kasprak; nephew Rick Jensen; dear friends Steven, Heidi, Isaiah, Elijah, and Becky Nilson and Matt Moldenhauer; sister-in-law Betty Jensen; dear friend Rachael Hass and Gail Kainz; brothers-in-law Thom (Jill) Passow, Wayne (Sue) Passow, and Roger Passow; and sister-in-law Shirley (Randy) Ecker and their children Jon, Christopher (Terra) and Katie.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Wayne and Jay Jensen, and dear friend Becky Borth.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce Street, Wausau. The Rev. Chris Juvinall will officiate. Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home on Thursday. Private burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery at a later date.
The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Schneider, Dr Steven Nichols, Dr. Jim Shebuski, the staff of Aspirus Dialysis Clinic, and the staff of Innovative Health for their kindness and compassion.
Jerome A. Switlick
Jerome “Mego” A. Switlick, 58, died Tuesday, February 15, 2022 unexpectedly at his home.
He was born April 17, 1963 in Medford, son of Jeanette (Sprenger) Switlick and the late Stanley Switlick.
Mego worked as a truck driver and served his country in the United States Army, Military Police. He restored tractors, enjoyed attending and participating in tractor pulls, driving his Corvette and motorcycle. He was always willing to lend a hand and help anyone in need. Above all he loved being outdoors and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his mother, Jeanette Switlick; children, Ryan (Samantha) Switlick, Russel (Amanda) Switlick and Megan Switlick; grandchildren, Ashlyn and Emma Switlick; siblings, Mike (Kathy) Switlick, Lorraine (Donald) Sobjeck, Mark Switlick, Daniel (Laura) Switlick, Leanne (Victor) Smith, Francis (Jennifer) Switlick and Lori Switlick; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
Besides his father, Stanley, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Florian and Richard Switlick.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Rev. George Graham will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until services all at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
William E. Lemmer
William “Bill” E. Lemmer, 74, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born March 13, 1947, in Wausau, son of the late Ralph Sr. and Margaret Lemmer. On August 13, 1977, he was united in marriage to Rita Knauf at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marathon. She survives.
Bill believed in working hard for what you had and did that throughout his life as a farmer, truck driver and factory worker up until his retirement from Menzner Lumber in 2014. Bill’s smile was bigger than life and his laughter contagious. He loved his family above everything else. Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed dancing with Rita, playing cards every Sunday after church with his family, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and cruising on the pontoon. He will be remembered for his legendary potato pancakes served with liverwurst and his famous homemade kielbasa, corn roasts around the fire and making sausage with his sons in law and grandsons, and his huge smile. After retirement, if he wasn’t in his office making Rosaries to send to the Missions you could find him on his phone talking to family or one of his many friends. He was a long-time member of the Central Wisconsin Conservation Club, President of the Holy Name Men at St. John the Baptist Church in Edgar, and the NRA. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Rita Lemmer, Edgar; three daughters, Amy (Marshall) Jacobs, Kim (Christopher) Woller and Jenna (Joseph) Martin, all of Edgar; 13 grandchildren, Carnissa, Devin, Austin, Madelyn, Logan, Emersyn, Christopher Jr., Sabrina, Elizabeth, Alexander, AliMae, Joseph and Aviana; two great-grandchildren, Aurora and Everlee; his siblings, Ralph (Adinun) Lemmer, Charles Lemmer, Anthony (Lou Ann) Lemmer, Virginia (Jack) Ganser, Mary (Eugene) Freese, Paul (Lisa) Lemmer, Kathy (Art) Nowak and Christopher (Sarah) Lemmer; two sisters-in-law, Anna Lemmer and Sharon Lemmer; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Dylan; three brothers, Jerome, Robert and Mark and an infant sister, Virginia.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022, at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Alan Wierzba will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery following the service. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at church and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a rosary service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening at church. Funeral services will be livestreamed Friday at 11:00 a.m. on the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home facebook page.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Beth A. Baumgartner
Beth A. Baumgartner, 55 of Birnamwood, died unexpectedly on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at her home.
Beth was born on July 12, 1966, in Green Bay. The daughter of Gene and Mary (Keenan) Vannieuwenhoven.
On July 29, 1988, Beth was united in marriage to Steven Baumgartner in DePere.
Beth and Steve lived in central Florida for 30 years before moving back to Wisconsin.
Beth liked to keep busy and do volunteer work, especially at church. She would often knit and sew blankets for the homeless. Beth liked to cook and bake for her family and friends. She had a love for animals, especially dogs.
Beth is survived by her husband, Steve of Birnamwood; three children, Anthony James of Atlanta, Georgia, Ann (Ryan) Shelton and Charlie Baumgartner, all of Florida; one granddaughter, Amelia; her parents, Gene and Mary of Birnamwood; five siblings, Joe (Dawn) Vannieuwenhoven, Mary Vannieuwenhoven, Robert (Lisa) Vannieuwenhoven, Patrick Vanhoven and Tom (Michele) Vannieuwenhoven and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Beth was preceded in death by on son, Andy; one sister, Ann Vannieuwenhoven and her in-laws, Charlie and Barb Baumgartner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church in Phlox. Rev. Edmundo Siguenza will officiate.
A Rosary will be recited on Tuesday at 9AM with visitation to follow until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
Arvin H. Zastrow
Arvin H. Zastrow, 85, died Wednesday, February 16, 2022 surrounded by his family.
He was born December 10, 1936 in Wausau, son of the late Reno and Elmira (Brandt) Zastrow. On May 23, 1958 he married Kathleen Strassman at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Wausau.
Arvin worked in the construction field prior to retirement and enjoyed riding around with family pointing out the various jobs he completed.
After retirement, Arvin and his wife owned Little River Antiques, an antique store north of Tomahawk, that allowed them to enjoy their hobby of treasure hunting.
Arvin spent many weekends searching out the perfect garage sale, flea market, auction and estate sale to find unique items for his store. He may have even kept an item or two for his own personal collection of belt buckles and beer steins.
He especially loved visiting with the many tourists and locals who came into the store repeatedly. After closing the store, Arvin decided to downsize the business and move his hobby to a booth in the antique mall in Minocqua.
Arvin and Kathy also took many road trips together, visiting small towns in Wisconsin and neighboring states, to appreciate the countryside and hunt for more collectibles.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Kathleen Zastrow; daughters, Terri (Robby Alvis) Zastrow and Kelly (Shawn) Fischer.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, February 20, 2022 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. Eric Hauan will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Johanna C. Bendickson
Johanna C Bendickson, age 96, of Weston WI passed away on Tuesday March 15, 2022 at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, WI
Johanna was born on September 24, 1925 in Schofield, to the late Roland and Minnie (Brunn) Wendorf.
Johanna enjoyed gardening, cooking, fixing puzzles, and especially loved spending time with family. She was also very involved with her church for many years.
Survivors include her sons, Larry (Char) Bendickson, Dale (Chris) Bendickson, her daughters, Linda (Mike) Benda, Sandy (Dick) Pozorski, her brother, Ron Wendorf; and sister, Shirley (Roger) Bielen. She is further survived by 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Johanna was preceded in death by her parents; Roland and Minnie, her husband; Andrew, a brother; Clifford Wendorf, and sisters; Edith Hintz, Arlene Grube, and Marilyn Krueger.
A memorial service will be held Saturday March 19, 2022 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Weston. Visitation will start at 10:00. Service will be at 11:00.
Generations Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting family.
