Michael D. Licciardi, 90, of Marshfield died peacefully on Friday, April 8, 2022, at the House of Dove in Marshfield. Private memorial services will be Tuesday April 12, at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Michael was born in Chicago on November 9, 1931, to Frank and Yolanda Licciardi. He attended Austin High School in Chicago. He was united in marriage to Mildred C. Licciardi on January 11, 1953, at Presentation Church in Chicago with Fr. Thomas Downs officiating. Michael was a member of the Chicago Teamsters Union 731 for over 60 years. He enjoyed golf, pool and playing cards. Michael is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Daly; two sons: Eric Licciardi of Marshfield and Joseph (Julie) Licciardi of Stratford, and their two children: Valerie and Mavrick. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mildred Licciardi, brother, Felix Licciardi, sister-in-law, Dolores Licciardi, brother-in-law, Donald Daly, Sr. and daughter-in-law, Kristy Licciardi. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com. Paid obituary 119301

Margaret M. “Margie” Austin, 69, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022, at Marshfield Medical Center. A Mass of Christian burial was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Rozellville, with Rev. Sengole Vethanayagam presiding. Burial was in the Town of Day Cemetery. The visitation was from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield, and from 10 a.m. until the service time on Wednesday at St. Andrew’s Church. Margie was was born on February 28, 1953, in Marshfield, the daughter of Peter and Genevieve (Bauer) Grassl. She was a 1971 graduate of Stratford High School and a 1973 graduate of Western Technical College in LaCrosse. She was united in marriage to Warren R. Austin on April 3, 1976, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stratford. Margie had been employed as an interior designer at Helke Interiors in Wausau and later as production catalog manager at Figi’s Gifts in Marshfield. Margie served as town treasurer for the town of Green Valley and taught CCD and sang in the choir at St. Andrew’s Church. She was a member of the Wood County Master Gardeners. She loved gardening and spending hours in her garden. She was also an artist and loved to travel. She is survived by her husband, Warren, their son, Jeremy (Heather) Austin of Greenville and two granddaughters: Khloe and Kinsley. She is also survived by her siblings: Susie (Bill) Knetter, Alan (Linda) Grassl, Patty (Jim) Weichelt, Mark (Linda) Grassl, Joyce (Bob) Young and Jeannie (Steve) Algren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Peter Grassl, at birth. The family will designate a memorial at a later date. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com. Paid obituary 119300

Thomas E. Sommer, age 76, of Edgar, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday March 31,2022. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 11, 2022, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar with Rev. Alan Wierzba presiding. He will be laid to rest in the parish cemetery receiving full military honors conducted by his comrades from Edgar VFW Post 10187. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Monday from 9 a.m. until time of the service. The honor of pallbearer belongs to his grandsons: Nicolas and Zachary Allmann, Michael and Tyler Sommer, Garrett Sommer and Otto and Oscar Sommer. Tom was born on December 30, 1945, in the Town of Rietbrock, the son of Alphonse and Josephine (Zinkowich) Sommer. He graduated from Edgar High School. After graduation, Tom was drafted into the United States Army at the start of Vietnam War and served his country, being stationed in Germany from 1965 until his honorable discharge in 1966. On May 30,1968, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hilber at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marathon. Sadly, Beth passed away July 24,2021. Tom was a longtime active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar. He is a member of Edgar VFW Post 10187, also serving as its commander for many years. He was also a longtime member of the Edgar Fire Department. His hobbies included collecting and restoring Case tractors, tinkering with other antique tractors and always having 2-3 projects going on all at the same time. He was very much a people person who loved his conversations with family and friends or maybe a get-together with family for a Sunday dinner at the house. He loved time spent with his grandkids and enjoyed the good old polka music of days past. Those who will cherish his memory include his children: Scott (Brenda) Sommer, Jason Sommer and Jeffrey (Nicole Gabower) Sommer; his son-inlaw, Jeff Allman; his grandchildren: Morgan (Noah) Lassa, Heather Sommer, Garrett Sommer, Amber (Matt) Ruhle, Nicholas (Crystal) Allmann, Zachary Allmann, Abigail Allmann, Michael (Carley) Sommer, Tyler Sommer, Courtney Sommer, Otto Sommer and Oscar Sommer, his great-grandchildren: Olivia, Esther, Mateo, Lincoln and Hudson; his siblings: Mary (Ken) Knoeck, Polly Brehm, Linda (Bill) Kuehn, Frances (David) Wilichowski and Lauri (Joseph) Kollross, along with many other relatives, dear friends and comrades. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Alphonse and Josephine Sommer; his wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Julie Allmann. In lieu of flowers, memorials are being accepted by Tom’s family for a charity to be determined. Tom’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home, Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences. http://www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com Paid obituary 119005

Leona Schoenherr-Fischer http://www.facebook.com/ Leona (Wieting) Schoenherr-Fischer, 97, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Country Terrace/ VitaCare Assisted Living in Stratford. A service will be held on Friday, April 8,2022, at Zion Lutheran Church in Stratford at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Pastor Andrea Fluegel will preside and burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery on Hwy. 153. The service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/ rembsfuneralhomes. Our little firecracker came into this world on July 4, 1924, born to Anton and Mamie (Seidelman) Wieting at home in Neillsville and was baptized on November 16, 1924. She attended Hillside Elementary and Neillsville High School, graduating in 1932. She later married Frederick Schoenherr which resulted in the birth of six children: Ted (Jeanette) Schoenherr of Stratford, Carol (Jay) Dalton of Stratford, Diana (Don) Chrudimsky of Texas, Terry (Charlotte) Schoenherr of Stratford, Tommy (Nancy) Schoenherr of Stratford and Fred (Tina) Schoenherr of Colorado. They later divorced. Leona worked for Ulrich Turkey Farms for 13 years, providing many with their Thanksgiving turkey, and later worked in housekeeping at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield. On April 12, 1980, she was united in marriage to Ralph Fischer and the couple resided in Spencer. After his death in 2012, she moved back to the Stratford to be closer to her children. Leona had a strong faith and instilled that into her children and grandchildren. At the time of her death she was the oldest member at Zion Lutheran Church and was in “her pew” almost every Sunday morning. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, fishing, collecting salt & pepper shakers and later paint-by number. Leona was a lifetime member of the Stratford VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Besides five of her children, Leona is survived by 10 grandchildren (all serving as her pallbearers): Michele, Scott, Kim, Carmella, Todd, Tim, Tadd, Mark, Hannah and Zach; 16 great-grandchildren and two great-greatgrandsons. She is also survived by five stepchildren and numerous step grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides her husbands and parents, Leona was predeceased by her son, Ted;, son-in-law, Don; two grandsons: Daniel and Ron; two brothers and two sisters. Memorials can be given in Leona’s name to her two favorite places, Zion Lutheran Church in Stratford and The Children’s Miracle Network. Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Country Terrace/VitaCare Assisted Living in Stratford and Moments Hospice for the compassionate care Mom received. She always said, “I really like it here.” Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com The sparkle may have gone out here on earth, but just think of the fireworks show in heaven. http://www.rembsfh.com Paid obituary 118911

Wayne H. Kuss passed away peacefully with his wife, Mary Sue, by his side at Aspirus Hospice House on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Wayne was born May 31, 1940, in River Falls. Wayne is a graduate of UW - River Falls where he received a B.S. Economics. Wayne was married to Kathleen Engel in 1963. They moved to Wausau in June of 1964 after spending some time in both Eau Claire and Milwaukee. Wayne was an insurance adjuster. After moving to Wausau, he began working with MSI Insurance as a Sr. Field Claim Representative, now known as Country Financial. Wayne enjoyed serving customers and agents working with everyone so very much. They were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Kelly Elizabeth Kuss, on October 21, 1970. In 1976, he joined the Wausau Noon Optimist and served many roles in his 46 years as an active member. He served on the Optimist Board of Directors from 1978-1979, he was awarded the Youth Appreciation Week Chairman and his efforts to bring the Positive Contributions of Youth to the attention of the Public 1981, Optimist of the year 1981, Oratorical contest chairman 1981, Keyman award in both 1982 and 1983, Outstanding Service Membership Chair 2007-2008. Wayne was a member of the Marathon County Agriculture Society and received an Award of Appreciation for six years of dedicated service as a member of the board of directors presented to him on 11-7-2013. Wayne enjoyed being on the Wisconsin Valley Fair Board. He sourced local entertainment in the exhibition building, enjoying the apple pie contest and Princess Tea with the Fairest of the Fair. He coached 5-8th grade boys basketball with his good friend, John Durkee, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church and girls basketball 4-8th grade and at Trinity Lutheran School with John Cherwinka. Wayne’s service to his community awarded him several honors. He was the secretary of the Antique Auto Club from 1972-1974. He also received a Certificate from the Riverview School Park for his many volunteer hours. Wayne was also a member of the Jenny Falls Wine Club, a Friends book club both in person and over Zoom. He loved a good mystery novel. Wayne enjoyed throwing parties at his home for any occasion. Some of the signature yearly parties were Chili/Pie cookoffs, Talk Like a Pirate Day, Kentucky Derby Day, Mardi Gras, Holiday Tom and Jerry’s and his favorite, 4th of July. Wayne loved his craft projects, designing and painting wooden Christmas tree ornaments, and lately making stand up porch greeters. In December of 2003, Wayne married Mary Sue Edens and became a step-father to three additional children and was gifted four grandchildren. They enjoyed spending time with them at their cabin in the Harrison Hills on Pickerel Lake where Wayne and his family participated in boat parades, great fun! Wayne was extremely proud of all of his children, family and friends. He has always put others needs first. He enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers with his niece, Kristin Kuss, from Las Vegas. They would call each other when the Packers made a touchdown, and Paid obituary 118912 was great fun. Wayne enjoyed attending church at the Trinity Lutheran Spiritual Life Center, where children had their special sermon and the church service was praise. Wayne is survived by his wife, Mary Sue Edens Kuss; daughter, Kelly Kuss of Raleigh, N.C.; step-children: Andrew D. Bartelt of Merrill, Bethany (Scott) Marcott of Marathon City and Matthew (Penny) Bartelt of Wausau; grandchildren: Phillip (Lyddia) Marcott, George and Saxon Bartelt and Austin Bartelt; great-grandchild, Brantley; former wife, Kathleen E. Kuss; brother, Donald E. (Betsy) Kuss; sisters-in-law: Jean Edens and Ruth Kuss; brother-in-law, David (Cathy) Edens, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Betty; his father, Herman; his brothers, Jack, Roger and Phillip; his sister, Janet, and his brother-in-law, James Eden. Wayne was always a positive person and always said, “Everything is going to be ok.” A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. Timothy Smith will preside. Visitation will be on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, and again on Saturday from 12 p.m. (noon) until the time of service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Community Foundation on behalf of the Wausau Noon Optimist, PO Box 1611, Wausau, WI 54402. Wayne and Mary Sue both belong to the Wausau Noon Optimist, this is the Creed. The Optimist Creed Promise Yourself: To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

Katherine “Cassie” Denk, after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis, was welcomed into her eternal heavenly home on March 16, 2022. Cassie was the youngest child of seven born to the late Joseph and Barbara Vesely on April 25, 1942, on a farm outside of Athens. She spent her childhood and most of her adult life in Athens, attending St. Anthony’s Catholic School and later graduating from Athens High School. On July 18, 1964, she married Eugene Denk of Athens at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Eau Claire. During their life together, Cassie’s love of faith, family and friends was portrayed in her gift of hospitality. She enjoyed life’s simple joys, which included sewing, baking, gardening, flower arranging, singing in the church choir, along with the countless hours of volunteer work for St. Anthony’s parish. For several years, she enjoyed employment as the school secretary there. One of her favorite pastimes was cheering for the home teams, which included the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks, the Wisconsin Badgers, and the Athens Bluejays. She had the sweetest personality, a great sense of humor, and a positive outlook which never seemed to change, even as she took her last breath. She will be greatly missed by her husband, Eugene; daughters: Stacey (Randy) Witucki and Joelle (Jeremy) Heil; grandchildren: Robyn (Adam) Foye, Jessica (Kevin) Schaler and Jackson and Will Heil; and great-grandchildren: Asher, Amelia, Gracin and Brody. She is also survived by her siblings: Mary Ann Stahnke, Elaine Bauer, Eleanor Endres, Robert Vesely and James Vesely. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Barbara Vesely, and her brother, Joseph Vesely; as well as her brothers-in-law: Norbert Stahnke, Leonard Bauer, Richard Endres and Bernard Denk; and sisters-in-law: Nan Vesely, Peggy Vesely and Mary Denk. The family would like to thank Clarice Welbes, Cassie’s dedicated personal care giver, Marathon County Aging & Disability Resource Center, Aspirus Visiting Nurses, and Interim Healthcare, including Tim Moe, for the care and attention they provided during her time in hospice. We would also like to acknowledge Roseann Keen, her regular hospice nurse who went above and beyond to provide care, comfort and love through the duration of Cassie’s final days. We could never thank Reverend George Graham, Dwight Lenhard and all of our friends and family enough, who took the time to stop and visit, send a card or make a phone call, and lend a helping hand and a smile-it will never be forgotten! A funeral mass will be celebrated in Cassie’s honor on March 26, 2022, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Athens, from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider any memorials be designated to St. Anthony Catholic Church/School. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer. com. Paid obituary 118320

Robert A. Drexler, 81, Stratford, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Country Terrace in Stratford. A Mass of Christian burial was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 14, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stratford, where visitation was from 9 a.m. until service time. Rev. Sengole Vethanayagam presided. Burial will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Town of Eau Pleine, at a later date. Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family. Robert was born on February 12, 1941, at home, to Anton and Sylvia (Burr) Drexler. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School until eighth grade and graduated from Stratford High School. He was a skilled millwright by trade and a carpenter that was proud of his craft. After visiting “Rest-a-While” resort on Big Bearskin Lake in Harshaw, he met his lifetime love, Patricia Meyers. They married on May 22, 1965. She sadly passed away on June 9, 2010. Together they had three daughters: Laura (Russ) Lake, Renell (Justin) Graff and Renee (Bob) Reinwand. That brought them nine grandchildren: Joshua Lake, Jessica Lake (Ryan Polzin) and Jeremy Lake (Mariah Olson), Hunter Graff, Dane Graff and Lexee Graff, Jordan (Jamie) Drexler, Aftyn Reinwand and Bryan Reinwand. They also had two great-grandchildren, Jaxson Conlan and Ava Polzin. He has surviving siblings: Patricia Zuelke, Tony Drexler, Karlene (Ron) Derfus, Dave (Cory) Drexler, Jerry (Sandy) Drexler, Sharon (Bernie) Sladich and Linda Drexler, and a brother-in-law, John Meyers and his family in Fargo, N.D. During his life he loved hunting, fishing, woodcarving, winemaking and especially the family maple syrup hobby. After his retirement he took great pride in vegetable gardens during the summers. He was a “work hard, play hard” fella, so his request is to raise a glass and toast his life! A heartfelt thank you to all his caretakers throughout his illness and journey to peace. Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com. Paid obituary 117972

Jerome E. “Jerry” Brickner, 83, Marathon, died Wednesday March 9, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by his family on his journey home. He was born June 24, 1938, in Milwaukee, to Jerome and Pearl (Church) Brickner. On April 11, 1959, he married the love of his life, Grace Wagner, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon. She survives. Jerry was a member of the Army Reserves. He was owner of Brickner Motors, Brickner’s of Wausau and Brickner’s of Antigo prior to his retirement. Going to the cottage, annual trips to Canada fishing with family, and hunting trips out West and in Canada were among his favorite things to do. He loved animals and kids, and dearly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Grace; their children and grandchildren: Jerry M. III (Jane) Brickner, Wausau, and their children, Janessa Grace (Tom) Ress and Jerry IV; Michael (Cheryl) Brickner, Tomahawk, and daughter, Michaella; Steve (Linda) Brickner, Tomahawk, and their children, Steven (Katie) Brickner, and children, Paityn and Abigail, Melissa (Kurt) Seubert, and children, Madalynn, Quinnlynn and Conrad; Shawn (Joey) Brickner; Melanie (Scott) Heinz and son, A.J.; Maria (Tom) Olson, Wausau, and their children, Thomas Olson, Michael (Kaylee) Olson and children, Alyssa and Braylee and Grace Olson; his siblings, Romayne (Joe) Breaman, Irma, Carol (Jim) Studzinski, Wisconsin Rapids, Lorraine Wilichowski, Minnesota, Ginger Weiks, Marathon, Gail (Steve) Studinski, Marathon, and Vicky Ramsey, Marathon; and sister-in-law, Linda Brickner, Marathon. Besides his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by an infant son, Bryan; two granddaughters: Tara and Kendra Brickner; two brothers: Raymond and Wayne; and brothers-in-law: Gerald Wilichowski and Bob Weiks. The funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier presided. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Visitation was held Sunday from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon. Visitation continued Monday from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gifts from Heaven or St. Mary School. Many thanks to the exceptional and caring staff at Aspirus Palliative Care. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 117969