Loriena M. Nikolai

Loriena M. Nikolai was called home to her Heavenly Father on Saturday, May 24, 2014. She was born March 16, 1918 in the town of Berlin, daughter of the late Rheinhardt and Ella "Nitzke" Christian. On May 16, 1936, Loriena was united in marriage to Anthony "Tony" Nikolai. They celebrated 70 years together before Tony's death in 2007. Loriena worked at Marathon Battery in her earlier years and retired at the age of 65 from SNE. In retirement she enjoyed time with her grandchildren, traveling and gardening. Her flower gardens were beautiful. Her and her husband were avid dancers with a dance style all their own. Loriena attributed her good health, beating cancer several times, and longevity to dancing. She was devoted to her family. Her children will always remember the smell of fresh baked bread on Saturday mornings, the weekends at Lake Nokomis in the summer and the family holiday's. Loriena is survived by her children, Sandy (Jerry) Beck, Eau Claire, Ron Nikolai, Green Bay, Monica (Dan) Nest, Barb (Gary) Bohm, Deb (Mike) Zahrt, all of Wausau; her 11 grandchildren, Tom (Betty) Beck, Atlanta, Ga., Guy (Tonya) Beck, Jordan, Mn., Ron (Kelly) Nikolai, Chris Nikolai, Wendy (Joe) Skelly all of Green Bay, Todd (Linda) Nest, Scott (Tricia) Nest, Michelle (Jeremy) Jacobs, Chad (Corrie) Bohm, Jason Zahrt and Kristin (Noah) Phillips all of Wausau and 23 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother-in-laws Lawrence Nikolai, Wausau and Gerald (Reggie)Nikolai, Mosinee and sister-in-law Dots Nikolai, Merrill and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her brother Arthur (Belinda) Christian, her sister Ramona (Fred) Duwe and her daughter-in-law Judy (Ron) Nikolai. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 29, 2014 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau. The Rev. Alan Schaffmeyer will officiate. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Wausau. Friends may call from Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service all at the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established. Peterson/Kramer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com Mom will truly be missed by her family and we take comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her true love "Tony". We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the caring and compassionate staff at Garden Side Crossing, North Central Health Care Center. At Garden Side she learned to swim, she went to her first Prom at the age of 95 and she felt the love and encouragement the staff always offered. We also wish to thank Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice services.