Walter F. Nest

Walter F. Nest, 91, Marathon, passed away in his sleep Friday April 16, 2004 under the care of Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Marywood Convalescent Center, Wausau. He was born February 19, 1913 in Halder, son of the late Albert and Louise (Kurtzweil) Nest. On June 24, 1950 he married Laura Hornung at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. She survives. In Walter's late teens he enjoyed working in the logging camps in Northern Michigan. He served his country for four years during World War II in the Army and has always enjoyed the Battle of the Bulge reunions. Walter was a member of the American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post #469, Marathon. He farmed with two of his brothers for several years in the Halder area. He then worked at the former American Can, Wausau, until his retirement in 1975. He continued to enjoy his horses, cutting pulpwood and firewood, traveling to Arizona, Florida, Hawaii and Germany with his wife, Laura, as well as enjoying time with his children and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Laura, four children, Garold Nest, Atlanta, Georgia; Judy (Jake) Schlesser, Independence, Wis.; Kay (Bill) Oelke, Marathon; John Nest, Maitland, Fla.; ten grandchildren, Wally Schlesser, Iowa, Carl Schlesser, Iowa, Ed Schlesser, Independence, Chris, Karen, Matt and Becky Oelke, all of Marathon, Tyson, Melissa and her daughter, Skyla and Caroline Nest all of Florida; one brother, Gordon (Jean) Nest, Marshfield; two sisters, Catherine Rak, California and Sister Dorothy Nest, Chicago. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Lenard, Claude, Kenneth and Willard Nest; two sisters, Agatha Krieg and Mae Hornung. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2004 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Marathon where the will be full military honors conducted by American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post #469, Marathon. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again from 10:30 a.m. Monday until the time of services at the church. There will be a 6:00 p.m. military memorial service conducted by the American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post #469, Marathon Sunday evening at the Marathon funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a memeorial fund is being established. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com