Rudolph Alexander Poeske

Beloved father and grandfather Rudolph Alexander Poeske, age 97, passed into eternal life at Aspirus Hospice House on September 4, 2012. Rudy was born in Wausau, on February 16, 1915 to Emil and Josephine (Stieber) Poeske. In 1935 Rudy married Lillian Goldbach at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon, and together, after the death of Lillian's parents in 1938 and 1940, they raised Lillian's seven brothers and sisters; Elsie, Dolores, Marie (Kitty), Virginia, Lucille, Raymond and Robert. In 1943, Rudy and his family, along with his parents, brothers and their families, moved to Sturgeon Bay, where he painted ships at the Smith Brothers Shipyard. In 1945 the families returned to Marathon where Rudy and Lil opened "Rudy's Lunch" on Main Street with Theresa (Lemmer) Szymanski employed as Rudy's waitress. After selling the restaurant, the Poeskes opened the Marathon Theater located on the upper floor of the Marathon Village Hall and subsequently opened the Edgar and Mosinee Theaters which they operated for over 25 years. Rudy was also in business with his father Emil and brother Richard. Emil Poeske & Sons were painters and decorators in the Wausau area. Their work included most of the larger retail stores in the Wausau area including J.C. Penny, Woolworth's, Winkelman's, Miljay's, Hotel Wausau and Wausau City Hall. They also contracted to paint and decorate many Catholic churches in the area including Holy Family, Poniatowski, St. Patrick's, Halder, St. John's, Edgar, and St. Mary's, Marathon. Rudy was in his 60's when he applied 24 carat gold leaf to the crosses on the steeples of St. Mary's Church in Marathon. In retirement, along with his beloved Lil, they enjoyed traveling to 38 states, and camping and fishing with their regular fishing buddies. Some of our fondest memories were all the "Sturgeon Bay" stories, dad riding his Henderson, Harley, and Indian motorcycles, accompanying Lillian to the Dreamland Dance Pavilion or describing the days before the village had a snowplow and he would form a "plow" from 2x12's attaching them to his car to help clear the village streets. Rudy's strong faith and devotion to his family guided him throughout his life. Survivors include his three daughters, Beverly (Marvin) Blume, Marathon, Patricia (Carl) Remus, Stratford, and Jo Poeske-Prozinski (Jim), Wausau; grandchildren, Michael (Linda) Blume, Marathon, Laurie (Scott) Ivey, Mosinee, Andrew (Stacy) Remus, Arpin, Brian (Heidi) Remus, Stratford, Jennifer (Vicente) Vergara, Madison, Sarah (Brad) Motl, Madison, Laura (Mike) Riebe, Woodbury, Minn., and Jennifer (Scott) Cornelius, Mosinee; great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Jenna Blume, Jacob, Samantha and Joshua Ivey, Connor and Cameron Remus, Nathan and Jack Remus, Rubi Vergara, Lillian Motl, Madison Riebe, Caleb Becker and Joshua Cornelius; sisters-in-law, Iris Goldbach, Marathon, Marie Goldbach, Marathon, Elsie Martino, Wausau, Adeline Rochow, Wausau and Leah Poeske, Redmond, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 71 years, Lillian and one grandson, Steven Blume, sisters, Lauretta (Mahlon) Kernin, Adeline (Elroy) Lerch; brothers, Lawrence (Leona), Richard (Eunice), Norman (Marie), James and Sylvester Poeske and his extended family Lucille Goldbach, Virginia (Jake) Hornung, Raymond Goldbach, Marie (Kitty) (Don) Lins, Dolores (Tom) Gassner, Hubert (Ella) Goldbach and Robert Goldbach, Clarence Rochow, and Lawrence Martino. The funeral Mass will be celebrated 12:00 noon on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. The Rev. Joseph Diermeier and the Rev. Dan Crosby O.F.M. Cap. will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Church or School. Rudy's daughters would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Father Joe Diermeier, Father Dan Crosby, Dr. Richard Nash, Dr. Jason Wilson and his assistant Diane, Dr. Mazin Ellias, Dr. Joel Tikalsky, Christine Block, DPT, Dr. Stephen Blonsky and the professional, caring staff at Aspirus Hospice House. Through their caring and compassion, they enhanced our father's quality of life through his final days. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com