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.
Adeline M. (Rausch) Gauerke
Jan 8, 2022
Adeline M. Gauerke, 91, Athens passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022.
She was born January 27, 1930, in the town of Halsey, daughter of the late Nicholas and Mathilda (Luedtke) Rausch. On September 2, 1950, she married Enos Gauerke in Athens. He preceded her in death on April 24, 1997.
For many years Adeline...
Consuelo Maldonado Rodriguez
Jan 8, 2022
Consuelo Maldonado Rodriguez, 32, Wausau, died Saturday January 8, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born June 28, 1989, in Guatemala, daughter of Clark and Cynthia (Zdroik) Guenther.
Consuelo had currently been employed at Merrill Iron and Steel Corporation as an administrative assistant. Prior employment was with the Village of Dorchester as a Police...
Youa K. (Khang) Chang
Jan 7, 2022
Youa Khang Chang, 86, passed away on January 7, 2022 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Youa was born in Punong, Laos on October 8th, 1935. She was born to the late Vang Yee Khang and Vue Yang and had four siblings. In her first marriage, Youa had one son. When she later married Say Kao Chang she was...
James G. Best
Jan 7, 2022
James G. Best, 91, town of Knowlton, passed away Friday, January 7th, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born November 29, 1930, in Mellen, son of the late Walter and Geraldine (Valeske) Best. On November 16, 1963, he was united in marriage to Mary Kay Lantz in Minneapolis, MN. She survives.
Jim proudly served...
Lyle J. Koppa Sr.
Jan 7, 2022
Lyle John Koppa Sr., 88, Wausau, died Friday January 7, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Born November 18, 1933, in Mosinee. The youngest of ten children to parents the late William and Anna (Vach) Koppa. A 1952 graduate of Mosinee HS he spoke fondly of attending a one room schoolhouse until 8th grade. He met his wife...
Edna B. (Ellenbecker) Powers
Jan 7, 2022
Edna B. Powers, 95, Wausau, died Friday January 7, 2022 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
She was born September 7, 1926 in Athens, daughter of the late Alex Sr. and Mary (Vesely) Ellenbecker. On April 22, 1950 she married Richard “Dick” Powers at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death...
Alice A Lavigne
Jan 6, 2022
Alice A. LaVigne (Nee Plashko), 84, was received into the arms of Christ on Thursday, January 6, 2022, with family by her side.
Alice was born November 18, 1937, in the town of Nekimi (Oshkosh), Wisconsin, daughter of the late Anton and Ella (Prentice) Plashko. On April 2, 1970, she married William LaVigne in Dubuque, Iowa. He...
Susan J. (Muzynoski) Dehnke
Jan 5, 2022
Susan J. Dehnke, 68, Wausau, died Wednesday January 5, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born August 18, 1953 in Wausau, daughter of Joseph Muzynoski, Ringle, and the late Lucille “Lucy” (Mijal) Muzynoski.
Susan had been employed in the health care field for most of her working career. She grew up on a farm...
Carol M. (Ollhoff) Uekert
Jan 4, 2022
Carol M. Uekert, 83, Marathon passed away peacefully, while under the care of Compassus Hospice on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau.
She was born April 28, 1938, in Merrill, daughter of the late Reuben and Ruth (Hartwig) Ollhoff. On September 27, 1958, she married Donald J. Uekert at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. ...
John "Jack" A. Cline
Jan 2, 2022
John “Jack” A. Cline Jr., Wausau, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 2, 2022 at his home.
He was born June 6, 1948 in Milwaukee, son of the late John A. and Naomi (Hakemeier) Cline.
Jack was a 1966 graduate for Newman Catholic High School and furthered his education, graduating from U-W Madison. He was...
Wayne Herman Kuss
2022
Wayne H Kuss May 31, 1940 – March 29, 2022
Wayne H Kuss passed away peacefully with his wife Mary Sue by his side at Aspirus Hospice House on Tuesday March 29, 2022.
Wayne was born in River Falls, WI. Wayne is a graduate of UW River Falls where he received a B.S. Economics. Wayne...
Wilma "Willie" Eleanor (Levandoski) Witter
2022
Wilma "Willie" Witter 94, passed away peacefully with family by her side on February 2, 2022. We were so fortunate to have a wonderful mom, grandma, and great grandma for so long. Matriarch to children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, she set a high standard for home and family. Her capability, energy, subtle wit and non-complaining spirit are examples we...
Fumie M. Purdy
Dec 31, 2021
Fumie M. Purdy, 90, Wausau, died Friday December 31, 2021, at home under the care of her family and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
She was born October 22, 1931, in Nagasaki, Japan. After relocating to the United States, she married Kennan Purdy Jr., they later divorced. Fumie had been employed with Whitmore Floral and later...
Dorothy Brooks
Dec 30, 2021
Dorothy E. Brooks, 97, died Thursday, December 30, 2021 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston.
She was born October 1, 1924 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Raymond and Helen (Gibble) Dennis. On July 7, 1947 she married Joseph Brooks at St. Thomas Catholic Church,...
James Jay Durkee
Dec 29, 2021
James Jay Durkee Sr., 75, Edgar was called home unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at his home with his family by his side.
He was born May 2, 1946, in Wausau, son of the late Don Durkee and Blanche (Douville) Sandoval.
James was a devoted husband and father. He loved his wife Ethel (Stange)...
Donald "Don" W. Wenzel
Dec 26, 2021
Donald “Don” Walter Wenzel, entered peacefully into eternal life on Sunday, December 26, 2021 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Pride TLC, Weston.
He was born in Wausau on June 1, 1933, to the late Walter and Alma (Krueger) Wenzel.
Don married Marie Pyan at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Wausau,...
Rita A. Bonin
Dec 25, 2021
Rita A. Bonin, 87, Edgar, was called to her eternal life on Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25, 2021, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau.
She was born April 23, 1934, in Schnappsville, daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Matysik) Bonin.
In her younger years Rita worked at the family business, Bonin Locker Plant till...
Jennifer "Jennie" L. (Franz) Weiler
Dec 25, 2021
Jennifer “Jennie” L. Weiler, 41, Dorchester passed away Saturday, December 25, 2021, at Marshfield Medical Center, Marshfield.
She was born August 7, 1980, in Wausau, daughter of Robert and Kathleen (Passehl) Franz. On October 13, 2012, she married Troy “T.J.” Weiler at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. He survives.
Jennie was a caregiver at numerous...
Catherine "Cathy" L. Luhtala
Dec 24, 2021
Catherine "Cathy" L. Luhtala, 58, Rothschild, passed away Friday, December 24, 2021 at Froedtert Center For Advanced Care, Milwaukee after an almost 2 year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
She was born September 11, 1963 in Wausau, daughter of Harry C. Spanton III and LuAnn (Opper) Spanton. On August 12, 1995, she married Michael J. Luhtala in Wausau. ...
Richard H. Treu
Dec 24, 2021
Richard H. Treu, 81, Wausau, passed away Friday, December 24, 2021, at Marshfield Medical Center, Weston.
He was born November 29, 1940, in Wausau, son of the late Clarence and Irene (Grade) Treu. On June 1, 1963, he married Carol Koziel at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. She survives.
Richard graduated from Wausau East High...
