Laura T. Gau

Laura T. Gau, 89, Wausau, died Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau. She was born July 26, 1928 to the late Joseph F. and Mary G. (Salzman) Heil. On September 18, 1948, she married her husband of 69 years and love of her life, Michael E. Gau, who followed her in death on November 6, 2017. Survivors include six children, David (Bobbi) Gau, Mosinee, Susan (Rob) Gau-Krueger, Wausau, William (Sally) Gau, Wausau, Mary Kay (Rodney) Rohde, Butternut, Terrence (Mary) Gau, California and Daniel Gau, Madison; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three step great-grand children; brother, Matthew (Delores) Heil, Wausau and sister, Florence Roberts, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Mildred Niziolek, Irene Schuster; and two brothers, Edwin and Raymond Heil. She was an active member of St. Catherine's Council and served in four different board positions of the council. Served as secretary of the Wausau Deanery Council of Catholic Women, as chairman of the Parish Family Life committee, on the Pastoral Council, and as president of the Serra Club. After retiring from her job, she began volunteering at Newman in the library and tutored students at Holy Name School and became involved in the Helpers Club at school. To diversify her volunteering, she began to help at Wausau Hospital Center with various projects. She donated blood at the Marathon County Blood Bank and accomplished a goal of ten gallons of blood donated. She retired from the Actuarial Department of Wausau Insurance Company. She is a member of Branch #42, Catholic Family Life Insurance, St. Agnes Circle, KC Ladies, and Catholic Women's Club. She enjoyed traveling, polka dancing and playing cards with family and friends. The Funeral Mass for Laura and Mike will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 13, 2017 at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Wausau. Rev. Jesse Burish and Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Visitation will be on Monday from Noon until time of services at the church. There will be a combined, Parish, St. Catherine Council, Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus Rosary Service Monday at 3:00 p.m. Private burial will be on Tuesday at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Hospice House, 530 N. 32nd Avenue, Wausau. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com