Delmar Otto Kolbe

Delmar Kolbe passed away peacefully on March 2, 2023, at North Central Health Care Center, with family at his side.  He was born July 26, 1926, to Otto and Alma (Hilmershausen) Kolbe, in Wausau, WI.

Delmar was raised on the family farm in the town of Marathon, WI.  He attended Woodlawn School, grades 1-8, and went on to graduate from Marathon High School, class of 1944.  On September 25, 1948, Delmar married Eileen Kirstein at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, WI.  Together they enjoyed 74 years of hard work, laughter and love.  Eileen survives.

Dairy and beef farming, custom sawing, ginseng and later, every type of heavy equipment Delmar acquired, kept him busy.  Always learning and teaching, but most important - Delmar took time to enjoy life.  Hunting and fishing, logging, boating and travel, RC airplanes, reading and storytelling were among his favorites.

Blessed and grateful for his love and legacy are his children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, and his great-grandchildren:

Daughter, Kay (Doug) Brushaber and their children; Mike (Nancy) Dodson, Kristi (Hudson) Meverden and Jordan Dodson; Troy (Karin) Dodson, Dylan, Leah and Aiden; Maria (Rory) Leszczynski, Seth, Sydney, Hailey and Parker; Travis (Morgan) Dodson, Blake and Hanna.

Daughter, Jean (Bob) Berens and their children; Joel (Shannon) Berens, Sophia and Owen; Brian (Michelle) Berens, Sawyer, Westin, and Claire.

Daughter, Sherri (Jeff) Wanner and their children; Raine (Randy) Gardner, Declan and Merrick; Pierce (Cristy) Wanner, Avery and Everett.

Son, Mark (Cheryl) Kolbe and their children; Jacob (Dana) Kolbe, Landon, Colton, Camdon, Emmarie and Ashton; Wesley (fiancee Julia Schultz) Kolbe.

Surviving in-laws are Bill Kirstein, Jim and LouAnn Jester and Mary Kirstein.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Marvin, and his in-laws; Raymond and Leona Kirstein, Bill and Beverly Batz, Shirley Kirstein and John Kirstein.

Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 09, 2023, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, WI.   At a later date, a private family funeral will be held at St Mark’s Lutheran Church, Wausau, WI.

Delmar’s family extends sincere thanks and appreciation to all who called, visited, and expressed their love, and to the staff at North Central Health Care for their loving and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and School, 600 Stevens Drive, Wausau, WI 54401.

Life on earth is only the beginning.