Wanda “Full Throttle” Bergmann (as co-workers would call her) enjoyed an active life. Her biggest accomplishment in life was having her daughters, Michelle and Danielle. They were her queens (both Marathon Fun Days queens), and Wanda always encouraged them that there wasn’t anything they couldn’t do in life. She married her best friend, Lee Bergmann, in 1991. He taught her how to bow hunt (which she became obsessed with) and secondly, he and she would compete fishing together. Her favorite place was at their cabin. Lee and Wanda built their dream sanctuary “Hermitville” and, in 2020, had their pond dug right off the lawn, making it her church for prayer. There is no better place to be than at the cabin, sitting on the glider on the porch, watching the abundance of wildlife. It was heaven on earth. Wanda loved her five siblings: Joni Filipiak, Gordon Weiler, Paul Weiler, Gerald Weiler and Jenny Nowak. Wanda felt peace joining her dad, Eugene Weiler, and good friend, Bill Lemmer, up with our heavenly father. A celebration of life will be at Hermitville for immediate family and friends. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 130387

Kenneth “Kenny” A. Natzke, 80, of the town of Berlin, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau. He was born on May 29, 1942, to the late Eric and Linda (Fiedler) Natzke at the family home in the town of Hamburg. Kenny graduated from Athens High School in the class of 1960. On June 29, 1963, he was united in marriage to the former Paulette Marth at Zion Lutheran Church in the town of Rib Falls. Early in Kenny’s career, he was employed by Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee. In 1972 he moved his family back home to Hamburg, where Kenny and Paulette helped his father-in-law, Milton Marth, pursue their dream starting Marth Companies. Kenneth joined the Hamburg Fire Department in 1975, eventually becoming chief from 1987 - 2000. During his tenure with the fire department, Kenny achieved and received the fireman of the year award in 2000. He retired from the fire department in 2005 and later that year he retired from his work with their businesses. After his retirement, they purchased a winter home in Florida, which he enjoyed with his family and many new friends. They also enjoyed summer weekends at their lake home on Lake Nokomis at Tomahawk. Beyond his work, Kenny was involved with other hobbies and interests. He was a founding member of the Hamburg Rainbow Riders Snowmobile Club. While at home, Kenny especially enjoyed patrolling the yard with his golf cart. His favorite stop was at his prize garden, where he would pick raspberries and fresh vegetables which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends. Many knew he had great carpentry skills; he proudly taught his grandsons his crafts that will continue to be part of his legacy. He also spent time with friends bowling, playing shuffleboard, working with his bulldozer, fishing, and traveling with Paulette. In October of 2002 on a road trip they stopped in Kiln, Miss., and met Brett Favre’s sister and brother at their restaurant and Brett’s mother at her Hallmark store. During one of their travels in 2004, at the Houston Rodeo, Kenny and Paulette were seated near our 41st President George H.W. Bush and got an autographed picture with him. He remembered that it was like meeting an old friend. Another hobby enjoyed by Kenny was maintaining a game farm for many years, where he raised various birds, whitetail, fallow and reindeer, and most recently elk. That lead to one of his favorite family events, which was getting together to make venison sausage, meat sticks and smoked hams, which were his mother Linda’s recipes. He learned how to cold smoke sausage from his father, Eric. Everybody in the neighborhood knew of his smokehouse and his meat smoking skills, and they would bring over their venison sausages where he would smoke them to perfection. Survivors include his wife, Paulette; son, Jerome (Michele) Natzke; grandchildren: Lauren (Robert) Blume, Monica (Brent) Krautkramer, Kayleigh (Craig) Frieders, Jeremy Natzke and Justin (Jamie) Natzke; great-grandchildren: Charlie Blume, Adah Blume, Baylor Blume, Lincoln Krautkramer, Marynn Krautkramer, Brynn Frieders and Shay Frieders; daughter, Julie (Craig) Kuehn; and grandchildren: Erica (Noah) Witt, Collin Kuehn and Ethan Kuehn; Kenny’s brothers and sisters: Erich (Cheryl) Natzke, Amaryllis (LeRoy) Bath, Muriel Zinkowich, Larry (Geraldine) Natzke, Mavis (John) Dowe and Allen (Michelle) Natzke; sisters-in-law: Sandra Martyn and Carol (Larry) Edwards; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers-in-law: Darrell “Bozo” Zinkowich and Edward Martyn. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marathon, with Pastor Jon Hadler presiding. Visitation for family and friends was on Tuesday, Dec. 27, beginning at 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the church. The visitation concluded with a prayer service. Visitation resumed on Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., the time of service at the church. Burial will take place in the spring in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Town of Stettin. Memorials are preferred to Little Lions Childcare or to Northland Lutheran High School. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 130355

Deanna L. Jaeckel, age 65, of Cherry Valley, Ill., and formerly of Hayward, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at Mercy Health Riverside Campus in Rockford, Ill. Deanna Lynne was born September 16, 1957, in Elgin, Ill., the daughter of Michael and Mary Lou (Kenyon) Szula. She was raised in Elgin and attended school there until moving to Winter before her senior year of high school. Deanna graduated from Winter High School in 1975 and then attended technical school in Rice Lake, where she would receive an associate degree. Deanna moved to California for several years before moving to Hayward in 1984. Deanna began working with the local Head Start Program and also worked as a waitress at the Hayward Co-op restaurant where she made many lifelong friendships. On June 18, 1988, Deanna married John Jaeckel at the Hayward Congregational Church. Shortly after they welcomed their daughter, Sara, beginning her most important and favorite role as a mom. Deanna then began work with Arrow Building Center where she would spend over twenty years as an inside sales associate. During her time at ABC, she acquired the nickname of “Bubbles” because of her bubbly personality. She then worked with Glassworks and later L& M Fleet Supply in Hayward. Deanna had the ability to make people feel incredibly special, even creating a reputation where people would wait in line to speak with her directly. Deanna retired in 2010 when her husband was diagnosed with ALS. Deanna became a tireless ALS Association advocate, volunteer and organizer. Deanna and John created the Jaeckel Walk to beat ALS, an event that has become the largest fundraiser to fight ALS in Wisconsin. Deanna lived to help people and enjoyed connecting others in service. She fearlessly approached any challenge and would always find a creative way to solve a problem. Deanna loved her annual trips to Florida with friends and family. Deanna and John were members of First Lutheran Church in Hayward. They moved to Rockford in 2015 to be closer to Sara, Ryan and their beloved grand-puppy Sampson, of whom she had a very special bond with. She was an exceptional mother to not only Sara, but everyone she encountered. Deanna had a zest for life, she could make the most mundane things enjoyable. “Joy” was one of her favorite words and she radiated it consistently. She will be greatly missed by all those that knew her, loved her, and were fortunate enough to have her in their lives. Deanna is survived by her husband of 34 years, John; one daughter, Sara (Ryan) Ignace of Rockford; mother, Mary Lou Myers of Rockford; three siblings: Debi Hornburg of Pewaukee, Michael (Shren) Szula of DeKalb, Ill., and Mark Szula of Roscoe, Ill.; many nieces and nephews; and grand-puppy, Sampson. She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Szula Sr. A memorial service celebrating Deanna’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in Hayward with Pastor Joel Bacon presiding. A time of gathering with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, PO Box 346, Hayward, WI 54843 or the ALS Association, Wisconsin Chapter, 3332 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 104, Wauwatosa, WI 53222. Online condolences may be left for Deanna’s family at www.bratleynelsonchapels. com. Paid obituary 130397

Carla Goetz, age 66, of Neillsville, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Marshfield Clinic Hospital in Marshfield. Carla Jean Goetz was born on February 11, 1956, in Wausau, the daughter of Roy and Carolyn (Laufer) Kottke. She was raised on a dairy farm outside of Athens and graduated from Athens High School in 1974. Carla then moved to Marshfield to work in bookkeeping and administrative services for an automotive company, before being united in marriage to Jeffrey McNeely in 1976 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Athens. They moved to Neillsville in 1981 and started their own small business together, Pine Valley Home Sales, Inc. It was here they raised four children together, before parting ways in 1994. Carla entered into a relationship with Brad Goetz in 2005 and they were later married at city hall in San Francisco, Calif., in 2017. Carla was a member of the Neillsville Saddle Tramps and Incourage Ministries. She also supported impoverished children through World Vision with donations and gifts. She worked for Clark County in financial administration and supported her husband, Brad, with his business, Goetz Excavating. Carla loved her horses and spent much time in nature horseback riding. She also enjoyed giving gifts and spending quality time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed cruise ships and sailed to many places around the world. Her quality time near home was enjoyed by gardening, decorating, fishing and spending time at the family cabin she shared with her husband Brad. Carla is survived by her husband, Brad; seven children: Adam (Andrea) McNeely of Lyle, Minn., Kristen (Ryan) Schoen of Spooner, Lorin (Matt) Kuester of Menomonie, Brandon McNeely of Chicago, Ill., Kaila Goetz of Pinebluff, N.C., Courtney (Ian) Pierce of Neillsville and Chelsey (Jacob) North of Chippewa Falls; her mother, Carolyn Kottke of Athens; two brothers: Kim Kottke of Athens and Kenny Kottke of Athens; two sisters: Kelly Kottke of Athens and Yvonne Schultz of Dorchester. She is further survived by ten grandchildren: Asher McNeely, Emmett McNeely, Jameson McNeely, Journey McNeely, Kinsley Schoen, Ariya Schoen, Evelyn Schoen, Emry Schoen, Shaylen Pierce and Dempsey Pierce. She was preceded in death by her father, Roy Kottke and a granddaughter, Remy Schoen. A private service of Christian celebration and burial for Carla will be held at Gesche’s Funeral Home in Neillsville. The celebrant will be Pastor Natalie Guzman. Interment will be at Neillsville City Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Carla’s family with funeral arrangements. Paid obituary 130057

Heaven gained an angel. Helen S. Strasser, 95, Edgar, died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022 at Wellington Place, Rib Mountain. She was born June 9, 1927, in Marathon, daughter of the late William Sr. and Katherine (Bedynek) Weisenberger. On June 30, 1948, she married Elroy “Butch” Strasser at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. He preceded her in death on August 8, 2011. Survivors include eight children and their families: Sherry (David) Zilinsky and their children, Kelly (Josh) Denzin (children-Alexis and Duncan) and Lisa Zilinsky; Jerry (Lynn) Strasser and their sons, Ryan and Jeffrey Strasser; Denny (Jayne) Strasser and their children, Jason (Shannon) Strasser (children-Hannah and Ava) and Jennifer (Sid) Brubacher (son-Romeo); Bob (Sherri) Strasser and their children, Nicole (Corbin) Burkard (children-Adelyn, Nora and Baby Burkard) and Brett Strasser; Sandy (Tim) Witzeling and their children, Dustin (Natalie) Wenzel (children-Charlotte and Vanessa), Mitchel (Kathleen) Wenzel (children-Hailey and Ryan) and Cody (Yvonne) Witzeling (twin children-Barrett and Aurora); Karen (Bill) Fischer and their children, Chad (Carly) Fischer, Heather (Aaron) Zimmel (children-Owen, Harper and Emry), Ryan (Amber) Fischer (children-Felicity and Carter); Kathy Strasser and her children, Kyle Strasser, Shawn (Alexis) Radloff (son-James), Brandon (Rachel) Radloff and Matthew (Hannah Challoner) Radloff; Terry (Jill) Strasser and their children, Jordan and Jaeden Strasser. She is further survived by her brother, William “Billy” Weisenberger; nieces: Carol Ann Ashbeck and Catherine Baumann, along with many nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by infant twin daughters: Mary Jane and Nancy Ann; brother, Kenneth Weisenberger, and sisters: Laparda Mullen, Lillian Leitermann, Florence Lang, Evelyn Lang and Eldora Myszka. Among her favorite pastimes, she liked Bingo, gardening, bowling, dancing, crocheting, helping with Friday night fish fries, volunteering at Color Vision and watching the Packers and Brewers. She also enjoyed baking her famous white sugar cookies, homemade sugar donuts and Kolache’s. Helen was a member of the St. John Parish St. Cecilia Group. Most of all, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen was kind, caring, patient and had a heart of gold. She was dearly loved by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all who met her. She was our rock and the light of our family and will be greatly missed! She will always hold a very special place in each of our hearts. We have been truly blessed to have such an amazing mother. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Wellington Place and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the wonderful care they provided. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Alan Wierzba will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 130054

Thomas E. Kraemer, 90, Marco Island, Fla., formerly of Marathon City and Wausau, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, in Florida. He was born August 7, 1932, in Marshfield, son of the late Anton and Ema (Altmann) Kraemer. Tom proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He married the love of his life, Marilyn Kundinger, and sadly, she passed away Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at their home in Marco Island after a long and well fought fight with multiple myeloma. Tom had served the Wausau, Marathon City, Edgar and Athens area as a funeral director for many years, retiring in 1999, when the business was purchased by the Peterson Funeral Home. Through the years, he had been involved in many church, civic and social organizations. Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Kraemer; three sisters: Rosie Adler, Rita Gassner and Flora Christner; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents and wife, Marilyn, he was preceded in death by two sons: Paul and Kory; two brothers: Paul and Richard; and one sister, Arline Stangl. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the family plot with his sons and wife in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Peterson/KraemerFuneralHome,Marathon,isinchargeof arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 129776

Deacon LeRoy J. Knauf, 89, passed away on December 1, 2022, at Copperleaf of Marathon. He was born June 4, 1933, son of the late Jacob and Marie (Ritger) Knauf, Marathon. On August 2, 1958, he married DeLoris Behrens in Augusta. She survives. LeRoy served as a chaplain’s assistant in Fort Bliss, Texas, when he served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. After he was honorably discharged from the Army, he went to UW-River Falls for a time where he met DeLoris. While they raised a family, he had several work opportunities including being an accountant and parts manager with Knauf Bros. garage for 15 years, owning and running Knauf’s Greenhouse for 15 years and being a cost accountant and purchasing agent with Marathon Cheese Corp. for 26 years, retiring from there in 1998. Besides his family, LeRoy was most proud of being ordained a permanent Deacon with the Diocese of LaCrosse in 1983. He served as Deacon and Pastoral Associate at Holy Family Parish in Poniatowski for over 30 years until he retired from there in 2016. He lost track of the number of couples he married and babies he baptized, but he remembered them fondly until the end. Over the years, LeRoy was also involved with the Cub Scouts, American Legion Post 469, Marathon Lions Club and Catholic Order of Foresters. In his rare spare time when the kids were young, LeRoy found time to go fishing and camping with the family in their converted school bus. He also liked to be outside in the garden. Besides his wife, DeLoris, he is survived by his six children: Dale (Rita), Fr. Randy, Sr. Barb, Sandy (Tim), Margaret (Alex) and Susan; two grandchildren: Abby (Ryan) and Sam; one great-grandchild, Hallie; siblings: Mary, Betty, Rita, Jean (Ken) and Bill (Jean), and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jack and brothers-in-law: Harold, Ken and Bill. Visitation will be at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue in Wausau, on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. A private family funeral Mass and burial will be celebrated in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 129773

Marilyn R. Kraemer, 84, Marco Island, Fla., formerly of Marathon City and Wausau, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Florida. She was born May 27, 1938, in Marshfield, daughter of the late George C. and Dorothy T. (Baierl) Kundinger. She married Thomas E. Kraemer and she assisted him in the operation of the funeral homes that they operated in Wausau, Marathon City, Edgar and Athens until the time of their retirement in 1999. Tom passed away on November 29, 2022, shortly after the death of his beloved Marilyn. Marilyn was an active volunteer for several causes including many years of affiliation with the Aspirus Gift Shop, among other church and civic organizations. Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Kraemer; a sister, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceding Marilyn in death were her parents, two sons: Paul and Kory; and a brother, DuWayne “Dewey” Kundinger. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the family plot with her sons and husband in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Peterson/KraemerFuneralHome,Marathon,isinchargeof arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 129775

Raymond “Ray” A. Weiss, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Copperleaf Assisted Living, Marathon. He was born July 28, 1931, in the town of Bern, son of the late William Sr. and Louise (Johnas) Weiss. On June 6, 1992, he married Joanne (Zahn) Kinalu at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Marshfield. She preceded him in death on May 16, 2006. He married Virginia (Linder) Springer on May 14, 2016, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. She survives. Ray farmed the family farm until his retirement, then worked for Jerry Blinker and Dave Knotts in his later years. Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed camping, traveling, hunting, fishing, cooking at church functions and bus trips to the casino. Survivors include his wife, Virginia; five step-sons: David (Alice) Springer, Wausau, Daniel Springer, Marathon, Ernie (Mary) Springer, Marathon, Fred (Patty) Springer, Milwaukee and Jerry (Brenda) Springer, Wausau; 11 step-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends further survive. Besides his parents and first wife, Joanne, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Frank and William Jr.; and one step-daughter-in-law, Nancy Springer. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Rev. George Graham will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 129819

Frank T. Lemmer, 53, Marshfield, formerly of Edgar, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at his home. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Frank was born on August 10, 1969, in Wausau, to Ralph Jr. and Adinun (Samaknarong) Lemmer. He graduated from Edgar High School in 1988. On July 18, 1992, he was united in marriage to Jennifer Miller. They later divorced. Frank enjoyed fishing, hunting, crafting, wood working, welding and working on cars. He is survived by his son, Cody Lemmer of Marathon, and daughter, Erica (Wyatt Allan) Lemmer of Hatley. He is further survived by his parents, Ralph Jr. and Adinun Lemmer, and brothers: Peter and Mike Lemmer. He is also survived by Jennifer Lemmer; her father, Tom Miller; special friends: Mark Vanderwyst and James Durkee, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ralph Sr. and Margaret Lemmer, and Jennifer’s mother, Judy Miller. Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com. Paid obituary 129729