Russell ''Spike'' Waldinger

Russell "Spike" Waldinger 78, Rothschild, died Friday, March 7, 2003 at his home. He was born March 7, 1925 in Wausau, son of the late John and Emma (Beilke) Waldinger. On August 17, 1946, he married Lorraine Lyon in Wausau. She preceded him in death on November 19, 1987. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Army. Russell retired from Wisconsin Public Service, Wausau, in March of 1987. He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burns Post #388 and a member of the American Legion, Montgomery Plant Post #10 both of Wausau and a member of the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council, Schofield. Among his favorite things to do were, listening to old style county music, bowling, golfing, watching NASCAR racing and going to the casino. His hobby was tooling leather and he was an eclectic collector. Russell was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, a Packer fan and a Badger fan. He took great pride in watching his grandchildren participate in sports. Survivors include four daughters, Patricia (Bernie) Kreuzer, Rib Mountain, Elyse (David) Wiegand, Marathon, Joanne Genrich, Wausau and Mary (Jim) Scholes, Rothschild; two sons, John (Christine) Waldinger, Green Bay and Bob (Patricia) Waldinger, Rothschild; eleven grandchildren; one sister, Delores Hilmershausen, Wausau; two brothers, Howard (Jean) Waldinger, Rib Mountain and Bernell "Bud" (Evie) Waldinger, Tomahawk. Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by son-in-law, Gerald Genrich; one sister, Mildred Sippl; two brothers, Raymond and Eugene Waldinger. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Allan L. Slowiak will preside. Entombment will be at the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau, where there will be full military honors conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burns Post #388 and the American Legion, Montgomery Plant Post #10. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 6th St., Wausau, and again from 10:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services at the church. There will be a combined parish and Knights of Columbus prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the 6th St. funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of choice.