Joan R. Chittum
Joan Ruth Chittum (Marx) passed away on June 19, 2023. She was born May 21, 1935 in Fond du Lac, WI to the late Clarence and Gladys (Ours) Marx. After graduating from Campbellsport High School in 1953, she moved to Milwaukee and worked at Northwestern Mutual. It was in Milwaukee that she met her husband; James. They were united in marriage on April 28, 1955 and together they moved to Wausau where she resided until her death. James passed away on October 7, 1970. After his death, Joan was employed with SNE Crestline until her retirement in 1998. Joan was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed her cottage in Tomahawk for many years, and was especially blessed with a wide circle of friends. She enjoyed traveling with her daughter Rhonda and sister Pat which included cruises, Mexico, the Bahamas and Las Vegas. More than anything, she adored and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would never miss an important event in their lives. She was immensely proud of her family, and a holiday or birthday was best celebrated with her entire family beside her.
Survivors include her sons, Paul (Debra), and Scott Chittum, and daughter, Rhonda (Michael) Kardos, all of Wausau, four grandchildren Scott (Kacee) Chittum of Mosinee, Joseph Chittum, Eau Claire, Jacob (Melissa) Chittum, Kronenwetter, and Kristin (Jacob) Ingersoll, of Elkhorn, WI, her great-grandchildren, Norah and Knox Chittum, Kashton and Maddox Chittum and Wesley and Hazel Chittum, her sisters Patricia Marx of Manitowoc, WI and Geraldine (Raymond) of Kewaskum, WI and sister-in-law Barb Marx of Fond du Lac.
In addition to her husband and parents, preceding Joan in death include her brother Clarence Jr., her sister Mary and brother-in-law Leander, her sister Charlene and brother-in-law Loren, her sister Elaine and brother-in-law John, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Craig and Lois Chittum and infant grandson Paul Joseph Chittum.
The family would like to thank Interim Healthcare for the care they provided their mother, particularly Jenny and Tim who quickly came to know Joan and her family and showed tremendous kindness and compassion during Joan’s illness.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday June 27, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church (700 W Bridge St, Wausau, WI 54401). Fr. Tom Lindner Will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the hour of service at the church.
Earl L. Ramthun
Earl Lee Ramthun, 88, of Wausau, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2023.
Earl was born on May 22, 1935 to Earl H. and Dorothy A. Ramthun. He graduated from Wausau High School and went to serve his country in the army from 1956 to 1958. In 1958, Earl met Darlene through their workplaces. Earl and Darlene got married at St. John Lutheran Church town of Easton on May 9th, 1959. They had 4 children, Darrell, Donna, Darla and Deanna. Earl enjoyed owning Wausau Magneto and working with his son and grandsons. He enjoyed hunting, camping, family trips, and loved serving many ways in his church. Earl was a kind Christian example for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, helping and caring unconditionally for all who needed it. He and Darlene loved watching their children sing in a traveling Christian singing group and seeing them reach others for the Lord (while watching 8 grandchildren!).
Earl was predeceased by his parents, Earl and Dorothy Ramthun and his sister Elaine Ramthun and he is survived by his wife Darlene, his children and their spouses, 8 grandchildren and their spouses and 10 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Monday June 26th from 5 PM – 7 PM at St. John Lutheran Church Town of Easton. Visitation will continue on Tuesday June 27th from 10 AM until the time of service at 11 AM. Burial will follow with full military honors at St. John’s Cemetery in Easton with a luncheon to follow. Helke Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church.
“Well done my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)
Shirley J. Baneck
Shirley J. Baneck, 88, of Marathon, passed away June 20, 2023, with her family by her side at her son David’s home.
Shirley was born in Wausau on December 5, 1934, to parents William and Meta (Beckman) Beese. She married Merlin A. Baneck on November 24, 1951 in Wausau. Together they had three children, all of whom survive her. Shirley loved her family and enjoyed all the time spent with her family. She had a passion for gardening, being outdoors, reading mystery novels, and loved knitting, cross stitching, and crocheting. Shirley was the “strength” of the family; she was supportive of all who came to her. Her relationship with the Lord was very important to her and her family. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Debra (Tyler) Olson; sons, Robert A. (Barbara) Baneck and David A. (April) Baneck; granddaughter, Kristen (Robert) Wurth; grandsons, Robert W. Baneck, Shane (Jessica) Olson, David M. Baneck, and Jordan D. Baneck; great-granddaughters, Kaylee Wurth and Kara Wurth; great-grandsons, Andrew Baneck, Brandon Olson, and Malik Olson; great great-grandchildren, Ayden, Aeson, and Aldwyn Baneck; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin Baneck; granddaughter, Tara Olson; and siblings, Gordon Beese, Anthony Beese, Lyle Beese, Myrtle Gappa, Selma Kittle, and Dorothy Baneck.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 pm Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1101 Elm Street, Wausau. The Rev. Mike Weaver will officiate. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until the time of service at the church. Entombment will follow services at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
Shirley’s family wishes to thank the team at St. Croix Hospice, especially Lori and Shynia, for their care, love and compassion.
Sandy S. Tepe
Sandy Sue (Baneck) Tepe, 70, Wausau passed away peacefully on Friday, June 23, 2023 while under the care of Compassus Hospice at Wausau Manor.
She was born on December 6, 1952 to the late Allen and Lois (Erdmann) Baneck and was baptized at home in Hamburg on January 4, 1953.
Sandy went to Maple Grove School, part of the first kindergarten there. She was in the Hamburg Happy Hearts 4-H club started by her parents. With her big sister, Judy, she took cows and clothes to the Wisconsin Valley Fair for 9 years. In the last year in 4-H they won the grand champion ribbons for their pure bred guernseys at the Athens Fair. Sandy graduated from Merrill High School and went on to UW-Stout to earn her degree in Child Development and Family Life.
Sandy married her best friend, Wayne Tepe on November 6, 1976, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the town of Corning. They had many storms in their marriage, but they made it through them and were together for 46 years. The message for their wedding and funeral is the same: “The Greatest Is Love” 1 Corinthians 1:13. Together they raised 4 remarkable children. Jeremy, Jason, Matthew and Molly. They have always been her greatest and best joy!
Through the years Sandy was a member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Peace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Greenwood City, Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville and St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Rib Mountain.
Sandy loved her family more than anything, her grandchildren, children and always held hands with her husband, Wayne.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Wayne, her children, Jeremy (Megan) Jason, Matthew (Stephanie) and Molly Tepe; her precious grandchildren, Eddie, Bridget, Evan, Jameson, Addisyn, Gavin, Teagan, Jacob, Adam and Clara Sue; sister, Judy (Tom) Mueller, Merrill; sister-in-law, Carol (Ron) Jochimsen and brother-in-law, Roger (Judy) Tepe.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, Edwin and Emma Baneck and Leo and Grace Erdmann and a sister-in-law, Judy Tepe.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the Stewart Avenue funeral home. Burial will follow at St. John Ev. Cemetery, Hamburg. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
