Vietta M. Kolbe

Vietta M. Kolbe, 80, Wausau, died Tuesday, November 15, 2016 under the loving care of her children and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services in her home. She was born February 2, 1936 in Wausau, daughter of the late Fred and Lovine (Schuh) Knapp. On December 14, 1980 she married Ervin Kolbe at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Wausau. He preceded her in death on August 4, 2000. For 15 years, Shoe Box Ministries has been her full-time job, all items were purchased by Vietta and this year she delivered 693 shoe boxes to Wausau Highland Community Church. She also collected stamps to send to Florida for world missions. Vi was an excellent listener, enjoyed bible studies and donated whatever she could to multiple charities. She also loved to travel and went on numerous trips with her family. Survivors include her children, Valinda Brooks, San Antonio, Texas and Val (Jennifer) Cihaski, Rib Mountain; grandchildren, Megan and Matthew Cihaski, Wausau and Jessica (Wade) Bonnell, Texas; great-granddaughters, Kennedy and Bella; sister, Kay Geiss, Horntonville; brothers, David (Patty) Knapp, Wausau and Dennis (Jeanette) Knapp, Wausau; brother-in-law, John Hanke, Wausau. Besides her parents and husband, Ervin, she was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Knapp, sister, Virginia Hanke, three brothers-in-law, Charles Geiss, Arnold (Wilma) Kolbe and Herbert (Marion) Kolbe and a sister-in-law, Sharon (Walter) Kolbe. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Wausau Alliance Church, 2125 Franklin Street, Wausau. Rev. Greg Schmidt and Rev. David Gilmore will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services all at the Wausau Alliance Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Youth Group at the Wausau Alliance Church or the Marathon County Humane Society. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com