Donald G. Tucker
Donald Gene Tucker, 98, of Wausau, WI, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI with family by his side.
He was born April 24, 1925, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the son of the late Marion and Flora Tucker. On February 14, 1953, Don married Mary Ann Koscik, whom he met while the two worked together at Nordberg Manufacturing in Milwaukee, WI. Mary said that initially she only saw his flamboyant signature and decided to find out to whom it belonged. They went on to enjoy each other’s company for 57 years until Mary’s passing in 2010.
Don graduated from High School in Chickasha, OK, class of 1943 and then attended St. Vincent college at Latrobe, PA, as a pre-cadet in the U.S. Air Force. The years of 1943-1946 were spent in the 15th U.S. Air Force which served in Italy and other parts of Europe. Don held the rank of Second Lieutenant and proudly served as navigator on a B-24 bomber. During his retirement years he was able to join a 2010 Honor Flight to Washington D.C. which he greatly enjoyed.
After the war Don attended the University of Cincinnati where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. He went on to enjoy a long career managing manufacturing operations at companies including Nordberg Manufacturing, Barber Greene, and J.I. Case in both Iowa and Wisconsin. He loved the challenges that manufacturing presented and was clearly proud of the roles he held along the way.
During his early retirement years, Don enjoyed traveling with Mary, golfing with friends and family and gathering with his men’s weekly coffee group. He also loved to gather with his children and grandchildren with whom he was always very generous and helpful in so many ways.
Survivors include his sister Geneva Jamison, Little Rock, AR; his three children: Thomas (Lois) Tucker, Onalaska, WI; Jane (Gary) Mauss, Lino Lakes, MN; Larry (Tiffanie Stasiak) Tucker, Denver, CO; his seven grandchildren: Jennifer Tucker, Cottage Grove, MN; Melissa Love, New Hope, MN; Lauren (Brandon) Hanson, Elkhorn, WI; Carlie (Brandon) Ness, Saint Peter, MN; Aaron (Stephanie) Mauss, Circle Pines, MN; John Tucker, Denver, CO; Alex Tucker, Denver, CO. He also had eight great-grandchildren: Lydia, Grace and Sophie Muyanja; Emelia and Liam Ness; Garett and Nora Hanson; and Elizabeth Mauss.
Don and Mary will be laid to rest together within the Memorial Chapel at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, WI. A celebration of life is currently being planned. We will make that information available at a later date.
Carole DeBauche
Carole DeBauche, 91, of Schofield, WI died at home on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Carole was born to the late Jacob and Caroline Slatky on January 22, 1933 in Stangelville, Wisconsin. She graduated high school from St. Joseph’s Academy in Green Bay and went on to earn a Nursing degree from St. Mary’s Hospital Nursing School.
Carole was blessed to spend over 70 wonderful years with the love of her life, Jim DeBauche. They were married on June 26, 1954 in Green Bay. Always together, they moved to France when Jim was stationed there in the U.S. Army. They moved to Wausau in 1965 and then to Schofield in 1970.
Carole was a loving and supportive wife and mother. She worked as a Registered Nurse for many years at Wausau Hospital – working nights to be with her children when they returned home from school. After she retired as a nurse, Carole volunteered for years at the Hospice House on the west side of Wausau. She was very active in St. Therese Catholic Church, and she and Jim went on Church trips to the Holy Land, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Ireland. They also loved visiting Door County, Williamsburg, Virginia, and Hilton Head, South Carolina. Carole loved the Wausau area, but she always encouraged her children to travel and to experience other cultures and people.
Carole loved birthday parties and celebrations of all kinds. But most of all she loved her family. She was the hardest worker, and she took great pride in keeping the family home immaculately clean. To the very end she was raking leaves, shoveling snow, walking to church, and living an independent life.
Carole is survived by her daughter Mary (Steve) Wheeler, Westmont IL; sons Robert, (Gina) Madison, WI; John, Kansas City, MO; sister Kay, Chandler AZ, seven beautiful grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Carole was preceded in death by her husband Jim, son William of Kansas City, MO, her brother Glen, sister Joyce, and her grandchildren Jessica and Emily Wheeler.
Memorial services for Carole will be held at 11 AM on Friday, April 19, 2024 at St. Therese Catholic Church in Rothschild with Father Joseph Albert officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 AM. Mass to follow. Luncheon immediately afterward in the church fellowship hall with Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Kronenwetter. Carole’s wishes were for memorials to be given to the Aspirus Hospice House, 530 North 32nd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401.
Lisa S. Burgess
Lisa Seim Burgess, 59, Wausau, died Tuesday March 26, 2024 at home.
She was born August 29, 1964, in Eau Claire, daughter of Jerome Seim and the late Jean (Kole) Seim. Lisa had a Masters Degree in Music Education, teaching at the elementary level. She loved singing, theatre and performing.
Survivors include two children, Amanda Burgess, Schofield and Dr. David (Eva) Burgess, Eugene, Oregon; a grandchild, Shilooh Burgess; her father, Jerry (Deb) Seim, Birnamwood; a sister, Ann Mead, Wausau, along with several nieces and nephews.
Lisa was preceded in death by her mother, Jean, a brother, Eric and her husband, Fred Adamski.
Arrangements for a Celebration remembering Lisa’s life are pending and will be announced when plans are finalized.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Joyce M. Pempek
Joyce Marie Pempek (Fellbaum), 87, the youngest of seven daughters of Raymond and Della (Kramm) Fellbaum, died Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born on June 23, 1936, in Wausau.
Joyce was baptized October 8, 1936, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rib Falls. On February 4, 1953, she married Dennis Pempek in Pine City, Minnesota and shared 55 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on May 27, 2008.
She was a member of First English Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday School teacher and Good Shepherd, prepared funeral meals, and volunteered at the Fair Stand.
She was proud of growing up on the family farm in Hamburg. As a young girl she sewed up tiny holes in silver fox pelts at Fromm Fur Farm. They liked her tiny stitches and her good sewing skills. Joyce was a proud homemaker, involved in Franklin School Mothers Club and PTA. She learned to swim as an adult and went on to teach water aerobics at the Woodson YMCA for many years.
Perennial and vegetable gardening, walking, berry picking, canning, baking apple pies, cooking, winning at 500 rummy, knitting, crocheting, Christmas, making maple syrup, polka dancing, and attending kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events were all things she loved.
Joyce loved music. As a girl she played guitar and harmonica and taught herself to play the organ. She loved singing hymns in church, sang a solo for a school program, and enjoyed yodeling with her kids and grandkids. She and her sister, Iris, were “The Sisters F” and made a record.
She was a proud sister, daughter, mother, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, great-great grandma who loved to spend time making memories and holidays special.
Survivors include five children; Marggie Pempek of Wausau, Linda (Scott) Doescher of Weston, Dan (Michelle) Pempek of Athens, Scott (Deanna) Pempek of Wausau, and Kalynn Pempek of Wausau, nine grandchildren; Teresa (Will) Judd, Heather (Jason) Hurd, Eric (Elizabeth)Doescher, Ben Pempek, Casey (Abby) Pempek, Luke (Lauren) Doescher, Mitchell (Erin) Pempek, Morgan (Ryan) Kufahl and Ashleigh Pempek, 16 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law; Vivian (Earl) Haefs and Emilie (Keith) Reimer both of Wisconsin Rapids, and many friends and relatives.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Kenny, great-grandson Jaxon, and seven sisters, Elaine (Frank) Wisniewski, Delores Fellbaum, Iris (Louie) Davis, Olidine (Eugene) Arndt, Betty (George) Adams, and twin sister, JoAnn Nowitzke (Gerald Reinhard, Ambrose Nowitzke).
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 14 from 1-4 p.m. at the Rothschild Pavilion. A private memorial at Restlawn Memorial Park will be held later with family.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mom’s neighbors for their years of friendship.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
Robert C. Burgard
Robert Carl Burgard, age 86, formerly from Illinois, passed away on March 23, 2024.
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Norma, son Perry (Amy Lepak), brother William (Mary Lou) Larson, daughter-in-law Tana, grandsons Cameron, Nathan, and Trent, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son Bryon and sister Barbara (brother-in-law Thomas) Memmott.
Services will be private.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS
