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.
Orville "Orv" Evanson
Jun 14, 2020
Orville (Orv) Evanson, age 101, of Wausau, passed away peacefully June 14, 2020.
Orv was born March 13, 1919 in Argyle, WI to the late Edwin and Syneva Brieseth Evanson. He attended schools in Greenwood and Granton and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1937. After graduation he worked in Minnesota building R.E.A. electric lines and later...
Frank E. Rupp-Claussen
Jun 14, 2020
Frank E. Rupp-Claussen, 64, Wausau, died Sunday, June 14, 2020 in Wausau, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
He was born March 2, 1956 in Chicago, IL, son of the late Clinton and Iris (Duranceau) Claussen. On August 26, 2006, he married Rebbecca Reynolds in Wausau. She survives.
Frank was a...
Mark L. Wubben
Jun 12, 2020
Mark L. Wubben, 48, Davis Junction, IL, formerly of Rosholt, WI, died Friday, June 12, 2020 in DeSoto, WI.
He was born September 3, 1971, in Dubuque, IA, the son of LeRoy and Phyllis (Perkins) Wubben. On June 14, 1999, he married Ragina Baxley at Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, NV. She survives.
Mark...
Jerome A. Wirkus
Jun 12, 2020
Jerome Wirkus, 97, Edgar, died peacefully at home, as he had wished, surrounded by his children on June 12, 2020. He was born on August 10, 1922, the son of the late Frank and Rose (Goldbach) Wirkus. He was a lifelong resident of Edgar, WI.
Jerome was a proud World War II veteran. He enlisted in the...
Eric Jesse Jr.
Jun 10, 2020
Eric Jesse Jr of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening June 10, 2020 at North Central Health Care at the age of 92. Eric was born on November 19, 1927 in Wausau to parents Eric Sr and Elizabeth “Liz” Jesse. Eric graduated from Wausau East High School in 1945. Following high school, he dedicated himself to his...
Eric Jesse Jr.
Jun 10, 2020
Eric Jesse Jr of Wausau, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening June 10, 2020 at North Central Health Care at the age of 92. Eric was born on November 19, 1927 in Wausau to parents Eric Sr and Elizabeth “Liz” Jesse. Eric graduated from Wausau East High School in 1945. Following high school, he dedicated himself to his...
Deanna Karen Zernicke
Jun 9, 2020
DeAnna Karen Zernicke, 79, of Wausau, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home Tuesday, June 9, 2020 after a short battle with pancreas cancer.
She was born May 11, 1941 in Wausau, daughter of the late Elroy and Mildred (Hardell) Pagel. DeAnna married LeRoy Zernicke on December 3, 1960 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Town of...
James "Jim" Albright
Jun 8, 2020
James “Jim” Albright, 73, Weston, died Monday, June 8, 2020 at his home.
He was born July 24, 1946 in Wausau, son of the late Leo and Helen (Plautz) Albright. On July 23, 1988, he married Geraldine “Geri” (Stemm) Hobbs in Merrill. She preceded him in death on February 8, 2020.
Jim was a veteran...
Ika J. Volm
Jun 8, 2020
Ika Jean Volm, 48, of Weston passed away peacefully Monday June 8, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Born June 21, 1971 in Wausau, to the late Robert and Mary (Meyers) Volm. She graduated from Marathon High School in 1989. Ika worked at the Marshfield Clinic, Kmart and tended bar throughout her lifetime.
Ika was born...
Kenneth E. Ahrens
Jun 3, 2020
Kenneth E. Ahrens, 73, Marathon, was called to eternal rest Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at Aspirus Hospice House surrounded by his loving family.
Ken was born June 21, 1946 in Wausau, to Virginia (Assells) Ahrens, Wausau, and the late Edwin Ahrens. On June 3, 1978, he married Betty Knauf at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon.
...
George Michael Drefcinski
Jun 2, 2020
George M. Drefcinski, 80, Rib Mountain, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at home, after a long battle with cancer.
He was born October 10, 1939 in Stevens Point, son of the late Joseph and Florence (Goetz) Drefcinski. After graduating from NCTC with an Associate Degree in Business Management, he moved to Milwaukee. George worked...
Loraine (Schmitt) Groshek
Jun 2, 2020
We lost a remarkable woman on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 when Loraine Groshek, 96, of Wausau passed away. Loraine was born in Wausau, on March 8, 1924 to Ernest and Susie Schmitt. She married Adolph Groshek on March 27, 1941 in Waucon, Iowa.
While her husband Adolph proudly served his country from 1943 until 1946, during World...
Jean Trudell
May 29, 2020
Jean (Jansen) Trudell, 62, Athens, died Friday May 29, 2020 at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston.
She was born May 16, 1958, in Wausau, daughter of the late Alvin and Grace (Osterbrink) Jansen. On April 15, 1989, she married Andrew Trudell at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon.
Jean was employed at Wausau Paper Mill, Brokaw...
Rev. Robert A. Streveler
May 29, 2020
Father Robert (Bob) Alois Streveler
1943 – 2020
Father Robert (Bob) Alois Streveler, 77, Marathon passed away unexpectedly Friday May 29, 2020. He was born March 20, 1943 in Wausau, son of the late Michael and Anna (Osterbrink) Streveler.
Father Bob attended grade school at St. Robert’s School in Halder and later attended...
Florence E. (Woellner) Punke
May 27, 2020
Florence E. Punke, 82, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Mountain Terrace, Wausau.
She was born August 18, 1937 in Wausau, daughter of the late William and Catherine (Riehle) Woellner. On June 16, 1956 she married Donald Punke at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. He preceded her in...
Gerald E. Madden
May 27, 2020
Gerald E. Madden, 87, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at his home.
He was born November 2, 1932 in Wausau, son of the late John and Sophie (Londo) Madden. On April 11, 1959 he married Joan Taylor in Wausau.
Gerald served his country in the...
Sherry L. (Thurs) Gayken
May 26, 2020
Sherry L. Gayken, 70, Weston, formerly of Edgar, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born April 25, 1950 in the town of Hamburg, daughter of the late Walter and Hilma (Hardt) Thurs. On May 22, 1971, she married Keith Gayken in Athens. He survives.
For more than 41 years,...
Patrick D. Plant
May 24, 2020
Patrick “Pat” D. Plant, 70, Wausau, died Sunday, May 24, 2020 at his home.
He was born February 26, 1950 in Wausau, the son of Donald and Genevieve (Hughes) Plant. Pat married Jan (Busko) Peck and later, they divorced.
Pat was a graduate of Marathon High School. He furthered his education at the Brown Institute...
Adella M. Schmitz
May 24, 2020
Adella M. Schmitz, 91, died Sunday, May 24, 2020 at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.
She was born January 3, 1929 in Unity, daughter of the late Leonard and Hazel (Tibbits) Hebert. On May 21, 1955 she married Edward Schmitz in Wausau. He preceded her in death on September 4, 1994.
Adella was the 3rd of...
