Gertrude Palesch

Gertrude (Czysty) Palesch passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at the age of 98 with her daughter at her side. She was born in Superior, WY on April 17, 1919, the daughter of the late John and Hattie (Elize) Czysty. In her teens, she moved with her family to the Wausau area and graduated from Wausau East High School. On September 5, 1942, she married Steve Palesch in Wausau, who preceded her in death on September 21, 1984. Gertrude enjoyed her career as a bookkeeper for PCA (now Agribank) following high school and again after her children were in school until her retirement. She and Steve also enjoyed fishing, spending time at their cottage with family and friends, square dancing, and playing cards. Following caring for her husband during his illness as well as her mother's, she went on to her second career of volunteer work. She delivered Meals on Wheels for 17 years, often 5 days a week, as well as volunteering at her Parish, St. Anne's and Marywood Nursing Home in Wausau. Survivors include three children, Dr. Raymond (Becky) Palesch of Yakima, WA, Pat Brooke of Manitowoc, WI, and Ronald (Becky) Palesch of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren, Daniel Palesch of Bend, OR, Nikki Palesch of Seattle, WA, James Brooke II of Walcott, IA, and Brad (Kristie) Brooke of West Bend, WI, and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Ella Traska and Rosemarie Palesch, and other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brother Paul and sister Hattie, son-in-law James Brooke, grandson Steve, as well as sisters and brothers-in-law Ricky Czysty, Irene Davis, George and Adeline Palesch, Ervin Palesch, Edwin Traska, and Milton Laffin. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 15, 2017 at The Church of St. Anne, Wausau. Entombment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. The family would like to thank the staff of The Villa and St. Mary's Nursing Home of Felician Village in Manitowoc for the care given to our Mom.