Louis W. Stark

Louis W. Stark 88, town of Rietbrock, died Thursday, January 3, 2008 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born February 5, 1919 in the town of Rietbrock, son of the late Louis W. and Mary (Turba) Stark. On September 16, 1952, he married Margaret Mary Schmidt at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. She preceded him in death on March 28, 2002. Louis was a lifelong resident of the town of Rietbrock, born and raised on the Stark family homestead. He was a dairy farmer, raised hogs and did custom combining. For over 40 years, he was a Eucharistic Distributor and Usher at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Margaret and Louis enjoyed dancing in Merrill and Marshfield. Among his many interests, he enjoyed playing sheepshead, collecting black walnuts, making applesauce and gardening. Survivors include, three daughters, Bernice (Curtis) Balz, Marshfield, Lucille (special friend, Tom Burhans) Stark, Wausau and Rita (Darrell) Woller, Merrill; one son, Jerome Stark, Athens; six grandsons, Chad (Joy) Balz, Milwaukee, their daughter Madalyn and a "daughter to be"; Shawn (Kim) Balz, Marshfield, Samson (Amanda) Woller, Merrill and their children, Madison and Bryan; Jason Woller, Merrill, David (Jerrica) Woller, Merrill and their son, David; and J.D. (Cristy) Arndt, Wausau and her daughter, Caidyn; and one granddaughter, Jennifer Arndt, Wausau. Besides his parents and wife, Margaret, he was preceded in death by one sister, Gertrude Myszka; and one brother Eugene Stark. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2008 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call Sunday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home Athens and again Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a rosary service on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Athens funeral home. Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers of St. Anthony Parish will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Online concolences at www.petersonkraemer.com