Elsie A. (Cihlar) Wirkus

Elsie A. Wirkus, 93, Wausau, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.

She was born March 10, 1929 in Mosinee, daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Cerny) Cihlar.  On September 24, 1952, she married Daniel Wirkus at St. Paul Catholic Church in Mosinee.  They would have been celebrating their 70th anniversary this September.

Elsie and Daniel farmed in the Edgar area for several years.  She was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar, a member of the Women’s Church group, and has been a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Wausau for the past 25 years.

Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed listening to polka music and attending church picnics. Elsie was proud to share her Czech heritage with others. She was an excellent baker and cook, known for her bread making and Czechoslovakian cuisine.

Elsie had a great zest for life, seeking out new opportunities and adventures.  She loved to socialize with family, neighbors and friends.  Most importantly, she cherished time spent with her family and attending her grandchildren’s activities.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include, her loving husband, Daniel; four children, Randy Wirkus, Eau Claire, Kathy (Jerry) Back, Madison, Nancy (Norbert) Dreikosen, Junction City and Jackie Wirkus, Green Bay; four grandsons, Scott (Andrea) Back, Matthew Back, Nate (Melissa) Dreikosen and Noah (fiancée Sarah Woller) Dreikosen; one great grandchild, Harper Dreikosen; and one sister-in-law, Irene Cihlar, Marathon.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Joseph, Arthur and Ervin Cihlar.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 23, 2022 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau.  Rev. Tom Lindner will preside.  Entombment will be in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.  Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.

The family asks that all who attend please wear a mask.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Aspirus Hospice House or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Thank you to Dr. Vicky Baker who cared for Mom for several years, and more recently, caregivers at Aspirus Hospital-Wausau, Rennes Health & Rehab-Weston, Renaissance Assisted Living-Weston, Marshfield Medical Center-Weston, and Aspirus Hospice House.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com