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.
Kenneth A. Hammes
Jan 9, 2026
Kenneth August Hammes passed away at the age of 90, on Friday, January 9, 2026 after a short but brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a kind man who loved a good joke, his Manhattans, a competitive game of cribbage, the Green Bay Packers, Brewers, Badgers and the Yankees. He would, however, bravely attend games with his children and...
Stefanie Geiger
Jan 16, 2026
Stefanie Geiger, 81, passed away on January 16, 2026, at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau, Wisconsin. Stefanie was born in Enkenbach, Germany on January 19, 1944, to Stefan Henrich and Elisabetha Henrich nee Lorenz. She was educated in Germany as a bookkeeper. She married Dennis Frank Geiger on January 20, 1966, in Enkenbach, Germany. The family moved to Wausau in...
Vicky L. Ramsey
Jan 17, 2026
Vicky L. Ramsey, 76, Marathon passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Meadows of Marathon while under the care of Heartland Hospice.
She was born February 26, 1949 in Wausau, daughter of the late Jerome and Pearl (Church) Brickner.
Vicky worked in many roles throughout her career. She was a licensed beautician, spent several years in data entry, and most...
Denny Bartosch
Jan 18, 2026
Dennis “Denny” Wayne Bartosch, 78, Rothschild passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at his home under the care of Aspirus Hospice.
He was born on April 21, 1947 to Lawrence and Mary (Arnold) Bartosch in Madison, Wisconsin.
After growing up in Madison, Denny served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Vietnam War in the Naval Weather Service. He...
Mary Ann Nowicki
Jan 15, 2026
Mary Ann Nowicki, 92, Athens, died peacefully with family at her side on January 15, 2026.
She was born August 8, 1933, in the town of Rietbrock, daughter of the late Joe and Stella (Handlosky) Nowicki. She loved her dogs and growing up on a farm there were many escapades with her cousins Johnny and Bobby and sister, Helen that raised...
Julie A. Kroeger
Jan 12, 2026
Julie Ann (Pfaff) Kroeger, 78, of Wausau passed away Monday January 12th, 2026 at Wood Aven Health and Rehabilitation. She was under the care of Aspirus Hospice Services.
Julie was born October 6th, 1947, in La Crosse, WI to the late Kermit and Sylvia (Harper) Pfaff. She grew up on the family farm, and then moved into the city of Sparta,...
Su Ying Thao
Dec 22, 2025
Su Ying Thao, age 73, of Wausau, passed away on December 22, 2025.
Su Ying was born on April 5, 1952 to Ka Pao Thao and Phoua Her. He was the fourth oldest child and the first son.
Su Ying lived in Pennsylvania and North Carolina before settling in Wausau in 1981. During his time in Wausau, he held various jobs as...
Rev. James F. Schaefer
Jan 11, 2026
Rev. James F. Schaefer, 90, Wausau, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born February 27, 1935, in the family farmhouse in the township of Lincoln, Buffalo County, Wisconsin, the son of Elmer J. and Evangeline M. (Schmidtknecht) Schaefer. His grandparents were Frank and Anna (Rotering) Schaefer, and Frank and Kate (Theisen) Schmidtknecht. He attended St....
Randall "Randy" John Kressel
Nov 28, 2025
Randall “Randy” John Kressel, 47, of Tigerton, went home to be with his heavenly Father on Friday, November 28, 2025, due to injuries sustained in a house fire.
Randy was born on September 12, 1978 in Wausau to Joe Sr. and Judi Kressel.
Randy was a man whose heart was full of love and giving. No matter who needed help, he was...
Thad J. Kinney
Dec 18, 2025
Thad J. Kinney, 55, Weston, passed away, December 18, 2025, in Wausau.
He was born July 31, 1970, in Wausau, son of Patrick Sr. and Autumn (Kaufman) Kinney.
Thad had a love if not an obsession, with fishing. He shared this passion with his kids, friends, and sometimes newly made friends at any given fishing location. He was also an avid motorcyclist,...
Theresa "Terri" A. Heil Wysocki
Jan 16, 2026
Theresa “Terri” Ann Heil Wysocki, 83, passed away peacefully at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Friday, January 16, 2026, surrounded by family.
Theresa was born on January 10, 1943 in Waukegan, Illinois to Ervin and Rosina (Diedrich) Heil. She was the second of eleven children. In 1950, the family moved to a farm near Marathon. Theresa attended St. Rose Convent in La...
John M. Schmidt
Jan 11, 2026
John M. Schmidt, age 76, of Wausau, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
John was born on December 22, 1949, the first child of Lawrence and Martha (Wiersma) Schmidt in Woodstock, Illinois. He moved with his family to Colby, Wisconsin when his family purchased a dairy farm in 1959. He graduated from Colby High School in...
Thomas E. DeLisle
Dec 27, 2025
Thomas “Tom” E. DeLisle, 84, Mosinee, passed away on December, 27, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on January 3, 1941, in Wausau, he was the son of the late Glenn and Ann (Bandoch) DeLisle.
Tom attended Newman High School and went on to study to become a Certified Kitchen Designer, buying his father’s business, the DeLisle...
Ardus Jane Schoepke
Jan 11, 2026
Ardus Jane Beckman (Stone) Schoepke, age 92, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026, surrounded by love. She lived a long, full life marked by devotion to her family, kindness to others and a quiet strength.
Born on July 30, 1933 in Wausau, WI, she was the daughter of Henry and Mary Beckman. Throughout her life, she was known for her...
Charles Schmollinger
Jan 11, 2026
Charles “Chuck” Schmollinger, age 72, passed away January 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He was born in Hillsboro, IL on September 9, 1953.
Chuck lived much of his life in Athens, Wisconsin, where he began his working years as a farmer. Following an illness, he answered a new calling by obtaining his teaching license, a path...
Patrick E. Karlen
Jan 1, 2026
Patrick “Pat” Karlen, 65, Marathon passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at his home.
He was born on March 17, 1960 in Medford, son of Gertrude (Dahlke) Karlen, Edgar and the late Ervin Karlen. On April 24, 1982 he married Rebecca Blair at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski. She preceded him in death on October 10, 2012.
He devoted much...
Patricia A. Nowack
Dec 31, 2025
Patricia Alice Nowack, of Marathon City, passed away on December 31, 2025.
She was born the daughter of her beloved parents William and Dorothy Lang. Pat graduated from Marathon High School in 1960. In 1961, she married Richard E. Nowack, and they raised 4 children: Sandy, of Madison; Ricky (Janis), of Stevens Point; Cheryl, of Eagan, MN; and Jody (Kelly Thomsen),...
David Springer
Dec 31, 2025
David Springer, 73, town of Easton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 leaving behind a legacy of hard work, deep love for the outdoors and devotion to his family. He was greeted by an angel that he longed to hug, his Dad.
He was born December 28, 1952 in Wausau, the son of Paul and Virginia (Linder) Springer. On...
Marlin A. Novitzke
Dec 29, 2025
Marlin A. Novitzke, 85, of Edgar, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital under hospice care.
Marlin was born on January 3, 1940, to Joseph and Lucy (Boehm) Novitzke. On May 26, 1962, he married the love of his life, Mary Imhoff, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Edgar. After their wedding, the couple lived in Kenosha...
Janice L. Straub
Dec 29, 2025
Janice L. Straub, age 66, of Wausau, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, under the compassionate care of Compassus Hospice at Sylvan Crossings on Evergreen.
Janice was born on July 23, 1959, in Wausau, the daughter of the late Gerald and Luella (Thurs) Straub.
She found her greatest joy in spending time with her twelve nieces and nephews, faithfully attending their...
