Bernard “Bernie” G. Lehman, 84, Wausau, died Thursday January 17, 2019 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Bernie was born February 18, 1934 to the late Gustav and Martha (Schultz) Lehman in Athens. He married Vera (Zahrt) on April 4, 1959 in Wausau. She preceded him in death on November 25, 2015. Bernie served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy. His favorite pastimes were reading and taking care of his animals. Most of all, he loved his family best.  Survivors include his...

Donald “Putz” J. Punke, 84, died Thursday, January 17, 2019 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Hospice House, Wausau. He was born April 26, 1934 in Wausau, son of the late William and Hilda (Riemer) Punke.   On June 16, 1956 he married Florence Woellner at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. Donald worked as a logger and enjoyed creating trails in the woods on his CAT.  He had a passion for the outdoors, hunting, spending time with family...

Leona Tucker, 97, passed away at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, WI on January 11, 2019.  She was born Leona Helene Garbisch on April 12, 1921 at the family farm in Granton, WI.  Leona graduated as the valedictorian of the Granton High School Class of 1939. She married Joseph Tucker on May 18, 1948.  They lived in Superior for most of their married life.  Joe and Leona moved to Wausau in 1990 to be nearer their family. In Wausau, she served in several offices for the local...

Mary Jane Elsmo passed peacefully in her home on January 13, 2019. Mary Jane was born to Percy and Otillia Clark on July 21, 1936.  She married the love of her life, Todd Elsmo on August 10, 1957.  They raised six beautiful children and filled their years with adventures. She had a particular interest in her family history and heritage.  Those who knew her, knew her for her love of family and watching her “tree” grow.  Mary Jane was preceded in death by her...

Warren Alfred Drews, 87, Wausau, left his earthly home on Saturday, January 12, 2019 to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born July 16, 1931, in the town of Easton, son of the late Arnold Sr. and Erna (Pagel) Drews.  On May 7, 1955, he married Arlyce LeGault at Bethany Lutheran Church, Aniwa.  She survives. Warren was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Warren retired from the Brokaw Paper Mill and had also been...

Caroline D. Ellenbecker, 83, Athens, went home to her heavenly Father on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 with her family by her side at North Central Health Care Facility, Wausau, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. She was born September 5, 1935 on the family farm in the town of Wien, daughter of the late John and Sarah (Steffen) Mueller.  She was the youngest of 14 children.  On September 23, 1953, she married Raphael Ellenbecker at St. John Catholic Church,...

Dawn M. King, 60, Wausau died Thursday, January 17, 2019 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at the Hospice House, Wausau   Dawn was born December 10, 1958 in Milwaukee to the late Philip Albert Andreshak and Lorraine Ann Muhs.  Pets were always Dawn’s passion and for many years she worked as a veterinary technician at several Wausau area veterinary clinics.   She also operated the Marathon County Humane Society for several...

Patricia A. Jesse, 85, Wausau died Thursday, January 17, 2019 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Colonial Manor Nursing Home, Wausau. She was born May 27, 1933 in Wausau, daughter of the late Edward and Evelyn (Mess) Wendt.  In 1954 she married Richard Jesse at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau.  He survives. Pat was first and foremost a homemaker who was a wonderful cook, gardener, and excellent seamstress.  When her children got older, she ran...

Gary A. Fischer, 76, Wausau, died Thursday, January 3, 2019 unexpectedly at his home. He was born July 11, 1942 in Wausau, son of the late William and Grace (Chizek) Fischer.  On April 28, 1973, he married Sandra Miller at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon.  She survives. Gary graduated from Marathon High School in 1960.  After graduation, he signed a baseball scholarship with Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.  Following his junior year, he was drafted by the...

Ryan P. Fischer, 42, quietly passed at home, Sunday, December 23, 2018, after an intense battle with cancer. He was born June 5, 1976, in Wausau, son of Gary and Sandra Fischer.  He met his wife in 2013, and found an instant connection.  They married August 7, 2015.  She survives. Ryan was a 1994 graduate of Wausau West, attended UWMC, then transferred to UW Madison, earning an undergraduate degree in 1999.  He worked 17 years for Liberty Mutual Insurance. Ryan was a...