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.
Dr. Lee M. Zielsdorf
Jul 19, 2020
Dr. Lee M. Zielsdorf, 77, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 19, 2020 under the care of Hospice of the Valley at his home in Peoria, Arizona.
Dr. Zielsdorf was born on December 30, 1942 to Marvin and Lavilla Zielsdorf in Wausau, Wisconsin.
He graduated from Wausau Senior High School in...
Gerald "Jerry" L. Patnode
Jul 17, 2020
Gerald “Jerry” L. Patnode, 89, Harshaw, formerly of Wausau, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2020 at Mountain Terrace, under the care of Interim Hospice.
He was born June 20, 1931 in Durand, WI, son of the late John and Myrtle (Ingman) Patnode. In 1952, he married Janet Goytowski in Wausau. She survives.
For...
Marie S. Goldbach
Jul 16, 2020
Marie Seubert Goldbach
The angels have gloriously welcomed their dear friend Marie Goldbach into heaven. She passed Thursday, July 16th, 2020 at her home, 103 East Fourth Street in Marathon City.
Marie was born July 2, 1921 in Marathon, daughter of the late August and Elizabeth (Kaufmann) Seubert. She married Raymond A. Goldbach on August...
Virginia "Ma" A. (Jahnke) Schuster
Jul 15, 2020
Virginia A. "Ma" Schuster, 95, Wausau, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
She was born June 14, 1925, in Sheboygan, daughter of the late Oscar and Esther (Voigt) Jahnke. On June 27, 1942, she married Willie B. Schuster. He preceded her in death on March 23, 1995.
Virginia was...
Julie K. (Schug) Drinka
Jul 14, 2020
Julie Katherine Drinka, 52, Neillsville, formerly of Athens, passed away peacefully with her husband and family members by her side Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at Marshfield Medical Center.
She was born December 4, 1967 in Milwaukee, daughter of Robert and JoAnne (Klimpke) Schug. On April 24, 1999 she married the love of her life James Drinka at...
Marie R. (Stark) Drewek-Haile
Jul 12, 2020
Marie Rose Stark (Drewek) Haile
Our Beloved Marie Stark (Drewek) Haile age 87, died on July 12, 2020 in hospice care. She was born February 12, 1933 in Edgar to Matthew and Susie (Marty) Stark. Marie was the much longed for daughter arriving after four sons: Leonard, John, Freddy and Charles. Marie became the big sister to...
Charles J. Martin
Jul 12, 2020
Charles J. Martin, 73, Marathon, died Sunday July 12, 2020 at his summer home in Tomahawk.
He was born November 23, 1946 in Marathon, son of the late Ludwig and Rose (Hornung) Martin. He lived his whole life in the community of Marathon that he so loved, leaving only to proudly serve his country in the US...
Betty M. Stepanik
Jul 11, 2020
Betty M. Stepanik
Betty M. Stepanik 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2020 with loving support from The Renaissance Care Center in Weston.
She was born on August 2, 1928 in Wausau to the late Claude and Sarah (Sniegoski) Sobkowiak. After graduating from the former Wausau East High School, Betty was a corporate...
Richard W. Kurszewski
Jul 9, 2020
Richard Kurszewski, 74, of Hazelhurst passed away Thursday July 9 2020 at home under the care of Ascension Home Hospice. Rich was born in Wausau to the late Nick and Regina (Modrzewski) Kurszewski on November 14, 1945. He graduated from DC Everest High School in 1963. On December 26, 1964 he married Marlene Buss at St. Marks Catholic Church...
Verna M. (Kohnhorst) Narlock
Jul 7, 2020
Verna M. Narlock, 85, Rib Mountain, died Tuesday July 7, 2020 at her home under the care of her family and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
She was born June 9, 1935, in Edgar, daughter of the late Arthur and Violet (Bast) Kohnhorst. At the age of 7, Verna moved to Wausau with her family, where...
Laverne Joyce (Erdmann) (Degner) Freimund
Jul 6, 2020
LaVerne J. (Degner) Freimund, 92, Athens, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2020 in Montello, under the care of St. Croix Hospice.
LaVerne Joyce Erdmann was born on August 23, 1927 in Ripon, Wisconsin to Emil and Clara (Serrahn) Erdmann. She attended school in Ripon.
On September 4, 1948, she married Harold Degner and moved...
Ross C. Hoffman
Jul 6, 2020
Ross C. Hoffman, 71, Wausau, died Monday, July 6, 2020 at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.
He was born January 20, 1949 in Wausau, son of the late Lawrence and Garnet (Borchardt) Hoffman. On February 14, 2001, he married Christine Lorence in Wausau. She survives.
For 21 years, Ross worked as a custodian for Wausau City...
Gerald "Jerry" J. Geiger
Jul 4, 2020
Gerald “Jerry” J. Geiger, 82, Wausau, died Saturday, July 4, 2020.
He was born February 17, 1938 in Wausau, son of the late Joseph and Catherine (Pupp) Geiger. On January 26, 1957 he married Janice Mortenson at the former St. James Catholic Church, Wausau.
Jerry worked for many years at Wisconsin Public Service as an...
Joan Helen Krause
Jul 3, 2020
Joan Helen Krause, 64, of Edgar, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, July 3rd 2020 at Marshfield Medical Center. She was surrounded and supported by her loving family during her last days of life.
Joan was born in Milwaukee, WI on December 18th, 1955, the fifth child of Jospeh and Eleanore Drewek. Joan was raised...
John Hugh Jones Jr.
Jul 2, 2020
John Hugh Jones, Jr., age 75, joined those who have gone before us on Thursday, July 2, 2020. He was under the care of Heartland Hospice at Azura Memory Care in Wausau, Wisconsin.
If you were asked what character traits come to mind to describe John the words most frequently used would be integrity, accountability, duty and...
Terry M. Dombrowski
Jul 2, 2020
Terry Michael Dombrowski, 23, of Wausau, died unexpectedly Thursday, July 2, at his mother’s home.
A celebration of Terry’s life will take place on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. The Rev. Peter Kieffer will preside. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Curtiss. Visitation will be on Sunday, July...
Michelle Ann Leblanc
Jul 1, 2020
Michelle Ann LeBlanc, 40, died Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at her home, after a short battle with lung disease.
She was born March 17, 1980 in Wausau, daughter of Rodney and JoAnn (Fons) Gavitt.
She worked as a Phlebotomist at Marshfield Clinic and later pursued a career in accounting.
Michelle was a compassionate...
Wilfred "Willie" J. Hall
Jun 29, 2020
Wilfred “Willie” J. Hall, 97, Edgar passed away on Monday, June 29, 2020 while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Applegate Terrace, Wausau.
He was born on September 29, 1922 in the town of Cassel, son of the late Leonard and Josephine (Mucha) Hall. On May 12, 1953 he married Ruth Syring...
Jolene V. Nowak
Jun 28, 2020
Jolene V. Nowak, 39, died peacefully in her home, Sunday, June 28, 2020 under the care of St. Croix Hospice of Marshfield with her husband by her side reading messages to her from all of those who so loved her.
She was born February 14, 1981 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, daughter of James P. Marshall and Janet...
Margaret L. Przybylski
Jun 28, 2020
Margaret L. Przybylski, 80, Hatley, died Sunday June 28, 2020 at Mount View Care Center Rehab, Wausau.
She was born May 13, 1940, in Wausau, daughter of the late Walter and Mary (Rychter) Przybylski. After completing her Master’s Degree in teaching, Margaret taught school in Manawa for a short time and retired from Mosinee Middle School where...
