Elsie R. Martino

Elsie R. Martino, 95, Wausau, died Monday, May 12, 2014 at Mount View Care Center, Wausau, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. She was born August 28, 1918 in the town of Cassel, daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Dahlke) Goldbach. On August 7, 1948, she married Lawrence Martino at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. He preceded her in death in 1967. Elsie was a member of the Marathon High School bowling and basketball teams. She loved to waltz and polka and it is reported that she was fearless in her black coup against many a brutal snow storm to get to the ballroom dances. As a young adult, Elsie worked as an accountant for her father's cheese business and for Pauly Cheese in Edgar. In her later years, she was vice president at her husband Lawrence's Truck Repair Service in Schofield. Elsie raised five very active children. She spent time on creative projects, such as, quilting, embroidery and knitting countless wool socks, mittens, hats and baby ensembles. She also loved playing cards, going to bingo and jigsaw puzzles. Elsie was also a very good baker. As children, we remember the oven door opening at 3:20 p.m. with delicious Chicago donuts, chocolate eclairs and cream puffs. She made a mean ravioli and red velvet cake for all birthday celebrations. Elsie was a member of the Church of St. Anne, the Lady of Fatima Council and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post No. 388, Wausau. She also donated her time, skill and many talents as a volunteer for Aspirus Wausau Hospital, knitting newborn outfits and shawls for the sick. Elsie will be remembered for her strong, independent and loving spirit, her tolerance of differences, her unending generosity that began with family and extends to touch the lives of many others. Survivors include, five children, Mary (Jason) Kosol, San Jose CA, Kathleen Martino, Weston, Jack Martino, Wausau, Larry (Denise) Martino, Wausau and Joe (Karen Lemke) Martino, Tomahawk; six grandchildren, Nick and Alex Martino, Tennessee, Michelle and Michael Martino, Wausau, Eve Kosol, California and Jennifer Huettl, Germantown; four great-grandchildren, Christian and Abbie Stemmeler, Brady Huettl and Charleston Kosol-Caccia; four sisters-in-law, Dorothy Martino, Wausau, Beverly Martino, Rothschild, Iris Goldbach, Marathon and Marie Goldbach, Marathon; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Lawrence, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Hubert, Ray and Robert Goldbach; and six sisters, Kitty Lins, Virginia Hornung, Lucille Goldbach, Lillian Poeske, Delores Gassner and Adeline Rochow. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at the Church of St. Anne, Wausau. Rev. Donald Meuret will preside. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Wausau. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com