Brenda Jean Dahlke

Brenda Jean Dahlke, age 58, of Poniatowski, WI went peacefully, to her Heavenly reward, on Sunday March 22nd , at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was surrounded by her family following a courageous and fierce two year battle with ALS. During that time she tenaciously fought to control her symptoms and look for aggressive treatments. Never once did she give up hope, or stop putting other's needs before her own. Brenda was born February 6th 1957 the daughter of Donald J. and Jean V (Rusch) Wisnewski. She was a loving sister to her brothers Lyonel and Darrell. On June 25th 1977, Brenda married her best friend, and the love of her life, Dennis Stephen Dahlke at Holy Family Catholic Church, in Poniatowski, WI. Together they welcomed 2 beautiful and loving children into their family, Seth Darrell Dahlke and Erin Elizabeth Dahlke (Speetzen), who in turn, honored their mother and father with 4 beautiful grandchildren. Brenda was a graduate of Edgar High School, graduating in 1975. She was a devoted mother who spent the formative years of her children's lives at home with them, and then transitioned back into working outside of the home. She resumed her professional path by working at St John Catholic School, in Edgar, WI. She then transitioned into working at the Edgar Clinic and later found her calling at the Aspirus Cancer Center in Wausau, WI. Prior to succumbing to ALS she selflessly spent many long hours working with families, physicians and insurance companies to ensure patient's medical and financial needs were met so the patients and their families could concentrate on beating their cancer diagnoses. It was her deepest belief that no amount of her time and effort was too much to spend in order to ensure others received the treatment they needed to live and enjoy life. When not working Brenda enjoyed crocheting, knitting, crossword puzzles (a hobby she shared with her father, Donald Wisnewski), and watching the Badgers and Green Bay Packers play football. First and foremost she loved spending quality time with her friends and family. Recently she was excited to have a pool built and as far as material possessions, it was one of her favorites because it allowed her to watch her friends and grandchildren's faces light up as they played in the water. Her love of mental challenges and playful banter was best exemplified by her fun with friends playing cards at the local 'watering hole'. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with and spoiling her four grandchildren: Blake, Braeden, Ginny, and Caleb. Even during her lengthy illness Brenda was always more concerned about the well-being of her friends and family than she was for herself, it exemplified one of her best traits; her selflessness. Brenda is preceded in death by her brother, Darrell Wisnewski, and her father-in-law Ralph (Pat) Dahlke. She is survived by her husband Dennis; son Seth (Sandra) Dahlke of Mosinee, daughter Erin (Brent) Speetzen of Stevens Point, her parents, Don and Jean Wisnewski, brother Lyonel Wisnewski, her Godmother 'Busha' (Lorraine Nowicki), mother-in-law Anne Dahlke, and in-laws: Dan Dahlke and Darlene (Oregon), Donna Dahlke (Edgar), Dale and Amy Dahlke (Edgar), Deb Dahlke and Robert Gake (Madison), Dawn and Robin Fons (Oconomowoc). In addition she is survived by nieces and nephews Anthony Wisnewski (Wausau), Ray, Dustin, Mitchell, and Jessica Dahlke (Edgar), and Xander and Riley Dahlke (Oconomowoc). Other surviving relatives include her uncles and cousins on the Wisnewski and Rusch side of the family. Brenda leaves behind a hole in the hearts of her many special friends whom she touched in many ways over the course of her life. Our family would like to thank the many CNA's, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, doctors and other healthcare professionals that have taken excellent care of her during the course of this vicious illness while at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We give a special thanks to Dr. Thomas Stoffel, a dear friend of Brenda's and the family's. You were a stalwart champion for her medical treatment and provided much needed emotional support for all of us during this arduous process. Your professionalism is beyond reproach and your kinship and kindness will never be forgotten, there aren't words enough to express our gratitude and love for you. Last but not least, we want to thank all of the friends and neighbors who made Brenda feel like the beautiful woman and valued member of the community she was. ALS might have started to lock her in her body but you wouldn't let ALS lock her away from the world. All the little (and big) things you did to help maintain her vibrancy and dignity never went unnoticed even if she wasn't able to express her feelings how she wanted to. Whether it was a Skype or Facebook session, a surprise makeover, an impromptu pool party, ice bucket challenges or any of the other thousands of special moments you all created for her, thank you. The look on her face and smile on her lips in those moments gave us our most important gift: beautiful experiences with and memories of our Wife, Daughter and Mother. You have our undying gratitude, Brenda loved each of you so very much and so do we. You are more dear to us than we could ever explain. Thank you. The funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Poniatowski WI, on Thursday March 26th, 2015 at 11:00 am. Rev. Robert Streveler will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held at Peterson Kraemer Funeral Home in Edgar WI, on Wednesday March 25th, 2015 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. And again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Flowers and small gifts will be graciously accepted, however our family asks that large gifts or gifts of money be instead donated to either the ALS organization of your choice or Dennis and Brenda's favorite which is the "ALS Association". The ALS association homepage can be found at www.alsa.org. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com