OBITUARIES
Recent obituaries in Wausau, Athens, Marathon, and Edgar
The obituaries in the Wausau, Athens, Marathon, and Edgar Areas reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity of Wausau, Athens, Marathon, and Edgar's history and identity.
Donald W. Bergbower
Aug 9, 2023
Donald W. Bergbower, 56, Wausau, formerly of Deerbrook, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at his home while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
He was born March 28, 1967, in Illinois, son of the late Ricky and LaGean (Clough) Bergbower. On February 22, 1996, he married Heidi Lang in St....
Howard D. Opal
Aug 7, 2023
Monday, August 7, 2023, Howard D. Opal, loving devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle passed away at the age of 84.
He was born November 27, 1938 in Waukegan, Illinois, son of the late Arthur and Alma (Kramer) Opal. On September 29, 1962 he married Virginia VerHagen in Waukegan, Illinois. He served in the United States...
Norma E. (Beilke) Miller
Aug 6, 2023
Norma E. Miller, 92, Minocqua, formerly of Marathon, died Sunday, August 6, 2023 at Traditions Assisted Living, Thorp, under the care of St. Joseph’s Hospice.
She was born May 31, 1931 in the town of Stettin, daughter of the late Alfred and Alma (Buttke) Beilke. On July 22, 1950, she married Roland Miller at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran...
Alicia R. Underwood
Aug 4, 2023
Alicia Renee (Carr) Underwood, gone too soon, passed with family by her side, August 4, 2023, at the age of 43.
Born in Wausau, WI, on March 13, 1980, Alicia grew up in Marathon City, surrounded by her devoted parents, Gary and Renee, her sisters, Dana and Gina, and their dog, Rascal. Alicia always demonstrated kindness, caring...
Scott S. Baker
Aug 2, 2023
Scott S. Baker, 60, died Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born June 26, 1963 in Duluth, Minnesota, son of the late Richard Baker and Sharon (Presnall) Bonacci. On July 6, 1985 he married his high school sweetheart, Anita Frank, in Duluth.
Scott worked as a police officer in Spring Lake...
Theresa Rose (Lyden) Miles
Aug 1, 2023
Theresa (“Myrt”) R. Miles passed away on Monday, August 1, 2023, after a courageous nine-year battle with cancer. Born July 25, 1948, in Urbana, Ohio, she graduated from Kent State University with a BA in Elementary Education and from the University of Cincinnati with a MA in Elementary Education. She started teaching in Wilmington, OH, moving to Wausau in...
Margaret M. Shidell
Jul 31, 2023
Margaret Shidell, 102, of Marathon, passed away on Monday, July 31, 2023 at Athenian Living in Athens. She was born on October 23, 1920 in Allenton, Wisconsin to the late Peter and Lena Bingen. She married Joseph Shidell in Marathon on June 28, 1941 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and he preceded her in death on April 17, 1990....
Frank "Frankie" J. Feltz
Jul 30, 2023
Frank Feltz peacefully passed away in Pewaukee, WI on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Matthews Senior Living of Pewaukee at the age of 99.
Frank is survived his daughter Audrey; his grandchildren, Lori (Jamie) Tocco, Kevin (Meghan) Postelnik, Scott Postelnik; and great-grandchildren, Emma Tocco, Madelyn Tocco, Molly Postelnik, and Sadie Postelnik, and his sibling Joan (Feltz) Noonan...
Sara Susanne Knoeck
Jul 30, 2023
Sara Susanne Knoeck passed away on July 30, 2023, at home. She was born on March 5, 1957 in Rhinelander, WI to Milda Nimz Knoeck and David Francis Knoeck. Sara attended schools in Rhinelander and graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1975. She graduated from UW Eau Claire in 1979 with a degree in Medical Laboratory Science. She was...
James (Jim) T. Bychinski
Jul 25, 2023
James "Jim" T. Bychinski, 90, found his peace with the Lord on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born May 20, 1933, in Wausau, son of the late Frank and Jeanette (Thomas) Bychinski. He graduated from Wausau High School in 1952 and served four years in Airforce Intelligence during the Korean War. On...
James "Jim" D. Drewek
Jul 23, 2023
James D. “Jim” Drewek, 78, Athens passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at his home.
Jim was born October 20, 1944, in the town of Rietbrock, son of the late Roman and Clara (Starzinski) Drewek.
Jim loved his farm. He took great pride in the serene beauty of it. The farm was always...
Joanne B. Hartfiel
Jul 23, 2023
Joanne Belle (Christensen) Hartfiel went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Until the morning she suffered a heart attack, she was enjoying life to the fullest. After a few days in ICU, she died peacefully, surrounded by family, holding her hands, singing worship songs and sharing their love.
Joanne grew up in Zimmerman,...
Mitchell "Mitch" John Dickinson
Jul 23, 2023
Mitchell “Mitch” Dickinson passed away at his home surrounded by family on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at the age of 64, after an eight year battle with cancer.
Mitch was born on March 17, 1959 in Wausau, the son of Gerald and Beverly (Whippler) Dickinson. He was a member of the class of 1978 at Wausau East...
Ronald C. Lahnala Sr.
Jul 23, 2023
Ronald C. Lahnala Sr., Marathon, Wisconsin, passed away at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Sunday, July 23, 2023, with his children by his side. Ron was 85 years old and lived a long, exciting life.
Ron was the son of Carl Matthew Lahnala and Martha Syrilla (Ristila) Lahnala of Ironwood, Michigan. He grew up in Ironwood and was...
Patricia "Patty" Arlene Kennedy
Jul 18, 2023
Patricia “Patty” A. Kennedy, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Wellington Place in Rib Mountain.
She was born April 25, 1948 in Wausau, daughter of the late Elmer and June (Sparr) Albrecht. On May 31, 1968, she married Paul J. Kennedy at Holy Name Catholic Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death on April 4,...
Silvaline M. (Brandt) Pickruhn
Jul 18, 2023
Silvaline Pickruhn, age 106, died Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Athenian Assisted Living, Athens, WI.
Silvaline was born April 7, 1917, in the Town of Rib Falls to the late Bernard and Emma (Huehnerfuss) Brandt. Silvaline married Harley Pickruhn June 3, 1939, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Rib Falls. Together they had two sons Jerome and Cyrus.
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Sharon Rae Goetsch
Jul 15, 2023
Late in the evening on July 15, 2023, after an extended illness, our dear Mother, Sharon Rae Goetsch, 90, of Wausau, Wisconsin, peacefully passed away at Aspirus Hospice House with her family at her side.
Sharon was born to the late Charles Frederick and Lorena Martha Anna (Hintz) Andler at Wausau Hospital, on October 8, 1932. She...
Duwayne William Schulz
Jul 15, 2023
DuWayne W. Schulz, 92, Wausau, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Cedar Creek Manor, Kronenwetter, under the care of Interim Hospice.
He was born September 25, 1930 in Wausau, son of the late William and Della (Radke) Schulz. On October 21, 1950, he married Joanne Seymour at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau. She survives.
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Pastor Dennis E. Kempf
Jul 12, 2023
Pastor Dennis E. Kempf, 87, of Mosinee, entered eternal life on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at home with family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
He was born on July 11, 1936 in Rib Falls to the late Ernst and Erna (Utech) Kempf. Dennis became a child of God through faith in...
Sarah Morgan Guenther
Jul 9, 2023
Sarah Morgan Guenther, 41, passed away unexpectedly in her home on Sunday, July 9, 2023. She was born on October 1, 1981, in Wausau, daughter of Jeffery Morgan and Jane (Holbrook) Frohm.
Most important to Sarah were her daughters, Rozlin and Carly. The things she enjoyed the most was time spent with those she loved, watching sunsets,...
