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.
Charlotte C. (Campbell) Hagenbucher
Apr 5, 2021
Charlotte Carol (nee Campbell) Hagenbucher, age 78, of Wausau died Monday April 5, 2021, under the care of Aspirus Hospice at Colonial Manor Health Center, Wausau, after suffering a stroke.
She was born January 16, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin daughter of the late Kenneth L. and Virginia C. (nee Puckett) Campbell. Charlotte lived a great deal of...
Wayne L. Schmalfus
Apr 1, 2021
Wayne Leroy Schmalfus, 77, of Wausau, passed away on April 1st, 2021 in comfort and in the prayers of family and friends.
Wayne was born in Merrill to the late Leroy and Doris (Kemnetz) Schmalfus on May 29th, 1943.
Wayne graduated from Merrill High School in 1961 and then entered the Wisconsin Army National Guard...
Eleanor T. (Wausau) Dahm
Mar 30, 2021
Eleanor T. Dahm, 95, Wausau, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born November 2, 1925 in the town of Cassel, daughter of the late Stanley and Rose (Filtzkowski) Wesolowski. On May 10, 1947, she married Murrill “Jake” Dahm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel. He preceded her in...
Michael P. Opela Sr.
Mar 30, 2021
Michael P. Opela Sr., 54, of Edgar passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born on July 17, 1966, in Duluth, Minnesota, son of Julian Opela, Duluth, Minnesota and June (Vanderbloom) Opela, Forest Lake, Minnesota. On April 29, 2000 he married Joanna Ditko in Phoenix, AZ. She survives.
Michael received...
Verjean "Jean" M. (Dahlke) Steiner
Mar 30, 2021
Verjean “Jean” M. Steiner, 83, Wausau, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at her home, under the care of Compassus Hospice.
She was born October 17, 1937 in Edgar, daughter of the late Bernard and Elizabeth (Sterzinger) Dahlke. Verjean grew up in Edgar and then moved to Milwaukee, where she worked as a bookkeeper for...
Edward M. Meyer
Mar 29, 2021
Edward "Sweepy" Meyer died Monday March 29th at his home in Wausau. Edward was 84 years old.
Edward was born September 27th 1936 to Edward and Regina Meyer. He attended Wausau High School. After high school Edward enlisted in the Marines. During his time in the Marines he spent time in California and Hawaii.
Edward...
Theresa "Tess" J. (Camomilli) Damitz
Mar 25, 2021
God gives each of us a certain number of days. Tess’s number was 24,601. She died on March 25, 2021 after a hard-fought battle against pancreatic cancer. She had a lot of choice words for her tumor, as do we. We’ll keep it clean here and just say that cancer sucks.
Tess was born November 16, 1953,...
Maynard "Mick" W. Bedish
Mar 24, 2021
Maynard “Mick” W. Bedish, 92, died Wednesday, March 24, 2021 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at his home.
He was born October 10, 1928 in town of Hewitt, son of the late Michael and Clara (Laffin) Bedish. On August 27, 1949 he married Lucille Seymour at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau. She...
Judith "Judy" M. (Wagner) Ravonet
Mar 24, 2021
Judith M. Ravonet, 74, Marathon passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021 while under the care of Heartland Hospice at Wausau Manor.
She was born April 7, 1946 in Marshfield, daughter of the late Mark and Marie (Beck) Wagner. On July 7, 1968 she married Richard Ravonet at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stratford. He preceded her in death...
Mai "Lily" Vang
Mar 21, 2021
Mai Lily Vang was born on April 5, 1990 in California when her life was taken on Sunday morning of March 21, 2021. She was just about to turn 31 when the tragic event occurred. She leaves behind her children and many friends and family members.
Mai mainly went by the name of "Lily" and she enjoyed...
Dorothy Marie (Leick) Kraus
Mar 21, 2021
Dorothy Marie Kraus, 91, Wausau, entered into the gates of heaven peacefully March 21, 2021, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, surrounded by her loving family at Sylvan Crossings, Wausau.
She was born September 12, 1929 in Stratford, WI, daughter of the late Archie and Jennie (Knops) Leick. She grew up on...
Doris E. Spinnett
Mar 19, 2021
Doris E. Spinnett, 88, Wausau, formerly of Milwaukee passed away Friday, March 19, 2021 while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Colonial Manor, Wausau.
She was born October 19, 1932 in Kansas, daughter of the late Jason and Ruby (Moore) Spinnett.
For many years Doris was a mail sorter at...
Elizabeth "Betty" (Hartl) Grendzinski
Mar 17, 2021
Elizabeth “Betty” R. Grendzinski, 86, Wausau, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
She was born March 15, 1935 in Stratford, daughter of the late Michael and Elizabeth (Kauer) Hartl. On November 4, 1953, she married Leon T. Grendzinski at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stratford. He preceded her in death on February 8, 2019.
...
John P. Grant
Mar 17, 2021
John P. Grant, 72, died Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at his home.
He was born January 2, 1949 in Medford, son of the late Jerome and Irene (Kleiber) Grant. On September 16, 1972 he married Mary Gallistel at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford. She preceded him in death on October 29, 2020.
John served his...
Phillip L. Verville
Mar 16, 2021
Phillip was called to his eternal home on March 16, 2021, at the age of 88.
He was a beloved husband to Phyllis (Nagy) for 66 years; a devoted father to Phillip Jr, Denise (deceased), Dale, Corrine (Robert Stone), Kathy (Randy Volm), and Paul. A cherished grandfather to Phillip III, Lucas, Jessica, Tracy, Andrea, Michelle, Robert Jr,...
James E. Mullen
Mar 15, 2021
James E. Mullen, 64, died Monday, March 15, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born October 30, 1956 in Peoria, Illinois, son of George Mullen and the late Linda (Sparks) Mullen. He married Lynn Long.
James and Lynn own Mullen’s Irish Pub, Edgar. He loved his black cowboy hats, Jack Daniels, politics, gambling, bartending...
Keith "Nummy" A. Sherfinski
Mar 13, 2021
Keith “Nummy” Allen Sherfinski, 74, Wausau, died Saturday March 13, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born November 24, 1946 in Wausau, Wisconsin, the son of the late Henry and Cecilia (Hoffman) Sherfinski.
Keith was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the 1st Cavalry Division, 15th Medical Battalion in 1966.
...
Merrillyn H. (Tracy) Fischer
Mar 13, 2021
MERRILLYN HELEN FISCHER
Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen, and Merrillyn would fit right in. Merrillyn Helen Fischer, age 82, was an active member of her church with a strong faith and caring heart, and was one heck of a cane pole fisherwoman. Merrillyn was born on October 25, 1938 to the late Giles Tracy and Mary...
Brian M. Greene
Mar 12, 2021
Brian M. Greene, 59, Hazelhurst, formerly of Wausau, died unexpectedly Friday, March 12, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born September 23, 1961 in Wausau, son of Gail (Kincaid) Greene and the late Thomas Greene.
Brian was employed with Linetec in Wausau for over 35 years. He was lucky to have spent many great...
Dorothy Paula (Schriefer) Punke
Mar 11, 2021
Dorothy Paula Punke, 93, died March 11, 2021 at Benedictine Living Community in Wausau, WI. She was born on July 29, 1927, the daughter of Martin and Elsa (Becker) Schriefer.
She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens, WI. She attended Trinity Lutheran School. After graduating from Athens High School in May 1944, she was...
