Joseph (Joe) J. Lato, 95, Stratford, entered into eternal life peacefully on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Tennyson Senior Living in Madison. A Mass of Christian burial was held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 5, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratford with Father Sengole Vethanayagam presiding. Visitation was held on Tuesday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial followed at St. Hedwig New Cemetery in Thorp with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Joe was born on March 8, 1927, in Thorp, to Philip & Agnes (Wozniak) Lato. He was formally educated through the eighth grade at Jackson Country Grade School south of Thorp, before leaving school to help his father run the family farm. Joe was united in marriage to Caroline Sobolewski on June 19, 1948, at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Together they continued farming on his parents’ farm until 1954, when Joe left farming to work as a telegrapher for the Chicago Northwestern railroad in southern Wisconsin. In 1956, Joe and Carol acquired McCrory Hardware in downtown Stratford which then became known as Stratford Hardware. They owned and operated the business through 1988 and were awarded the “Citizen of the Year” award by the Stratford Area Chamber of Commerce that year. Together they raised five children in their apartment located above the hardware store. Upon selling the business, they built and moved into their retirement home in Stratford. Joe was also an active real estate developer in Stratford. In 1970, he purchased the Dr. Otto Klemme Dental Building, remodeled it into five apartments, and rented the units until the sale of the building in 2001. In 1974, he purchased the 40-acre Carl Spindler Fur Farm, a non-operating mink farm on which was also located the former Stratford Speedway, active during the 1950’s and 60’s, and developed it into residential lots. Lastly, in 1990, Joe developed the Stratford Mini-Storage Rentals which he and Carol operated for a decade. Joe was a long-time member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a former member of the Stratford Lions Club, Stratford Businessmen’s Association, Stratford Development Corporation, and Stratford Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Stratford Village Board. He enjoyed dancing, deer hunting, bowling, woodworking and home improvement projects. Joe was always up for a good card game with family and friends, and enjoyed spending time at their family cottage on the Big Eau Pleine Flowage over a 38 year period. Joe is survived by his wife of 74 years, Caroline, and their children: Janice (Soud) Lato Al-Mishwit of Oconomowoc, Gary (Joan) Lato of Waukesha, Diane (Kurt) Knauff of Madison and Greg (Jennifer) Lato of San Ramon, Calif., and son-in-law, Ron Griese of Loveland, Colo. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Haroun and Omar Al-Mishwit, Nicolette Griese, Bethany and Daniel Lato and Kristin Sautter, Robert and Thomas Knauff, and Matthew and Caitlin Lato. He is further survived by four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen Griese in 2001; his parents, his brothers: John and Bruno Lato; and his sisters: Anna (Lato) Kmieciak and Mary Lato in infancy. Memorials may be designated to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratford, or St. Bernard & St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com. Paid obituary 123340

John A. Nowicki, 88, Athens passed away on Monday, June 27, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. HewasbornDecember7,1933,inthetownof Rietbrock, son of the late Anton and Agnes (Witucki) Nowicki. On October 25, 1958, he married Rosemarie Rausch at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. She survives. John and Rosemarie farmed together until 1993. John also worked at Nowicki Lumber and Tie Incorporated until 1979. They continued to plane lumber until 1998, at which time John retired. John entered the Army on December 9, 1955. He went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He was stationed in Texas three months and was then transferred to Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., and became a member of the elite group “The Old Guard.” He was in Fort Myer 19 months. His job was conducting funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. He assisted in over 600 funerals. He marched in all parades in the D.C. area during this time, including the Eisenhower inaugural parade. After his honorable discharge from the military, he served in the National Guard for two years. John liked to hunt, fish, go for walks in the woods, cook maple syrup and make firewood. Survivors include his wife, Rosemarie, Athens; his children: Gary Nowicki, Wausau, Ronald (Martha) Nowicki, Athens, Michael (Dianne Ward) Nowicki, Loveland, Colo., and James (Ann) Nowicki, Athens. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Ashley Mantor, Wausau, Elizabeth (Mason) Rachu, Abbotsford, Rebecca (Kaleb) Anderson, Altoona, Emily (Austin) Hannemann, Edgar, Shannon (Jon) Marsden, Suamico, David Nowicki, Rome, Italy, and Marissa Nowicki, Brookings, S.D.; a step-grandson, Rodney Carlson, Wausau; three great-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren expected this fall, and four step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Marcella Literski and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Nowicki. John was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Agnes Nowicki, a brother, Robert Nowicki, a brother-in-law, John Literski, and a grandson, Keith Nowicki. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski. The Rev. Alan Wierzba will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 123384

Dale J. Imhoff, age 72, passed at home June 27, 2022, at home. Dale Joseph Imhoff attended first - eighth grade at Sacred Heart School in the Town of Cassel. From there he went to Edgar High School. The day after graduation from EHS in 1968 he traveled to Rockford, Ill., to attend Lincoln Barber School. He barbered for four years at Ray’s Barbershop in Rib Mountain, Wausau and then in Brookfield. After returning to the area he spent some time at Clearfield Cheese before getting a job in Rothschild at the American Can Papermill, being hired by John R. Fulkerson, whom he used to cut his hair. He began a 44.5 year timeline career at the Rothschild papermill in August 1973, seeing it through American Can Corporation, Weyerhaeuser, and the latest incarnation, Domtar. While there he spent time on paper machines #2, #3, and finally spending 13 years on paper machine #4 before it, the last of the small machines, was retired. He spent a brief time in finishing and pulp testing before his final years as a treatment plant operator, officially retiring on June 1, 2017. In June of 1974 he married Paulette Anne Wirkus (Willis & Marcia Wirkus). Dale is survived by his wife of 48 years, Paulette (Wirkus); son Matthew and daughter-in-law Ruth (Anne-Zeimet) Imhoff, Sun Prairie; one brother Ken and sister-in-law Jenny Imhoff, Waukesha; sisters-in-law: Susan Wirkus (Pat Palmer), Milwaukee, Mary (Tim) Lenhard, Marathon, Diane (Tom) Birch, Neosho and Anthony (Rebecca) Wirkus, Edgar; nieces & nephews: Lisa Lenhard, Schofield, Jason Lenhard, Weston, Crystal Wirkus (Matthew Ferguson), Milwaukee and Tristan Wirkus, Edgar; and great niece & nephews: Preston Lenhard, Savanni Lenhard and Oliver Wirkus. Dale was preceded in death by a sister, Lou Ann, who died shortly after birth, and his parents, Joseph and Eileen (Schoenfuss) Imhoff; grandparents, Joe and Mary (Karlen) Imhoff and Joe and Marion (Kurtzweil) Schoenfuss and Anna (King) Schoenfuss, and in-laws, Willis B. And Marcia E. (Ross) Wirkus, Edgar. Dale was especially proud of his DNR wastewater certifications. He loved riding his 1982 Honda custom motorcycle, studying German and learning family history, creating chain mail and looked forward to raising monarch butterflies each summer. He also loved the Stevens Point Trivia Contest, which he did with Paulette. Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS. Paid obituary 123338

Lillian Burish, age 83, formerly of Marathon, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Marshfield Medical Center – Weston Hospital. Lillian was born September 14, 1938, in the Town of Cassel, to Martin and Helen (Rodman) Skrzypcak. She was the fifth of six children. She married James Burish (the love of her life) at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Marathon. They were married for 63 years before Jim’s death in 2019. Lillian was a loving wife and partner to our dad, who always called her “Lill.” In 1961, they bought a cheese factory south of Marathon. Jim was the cheesemaker and Lillian did all the accounting for their business. Later, she became the back-up milk truck hauler as well as hauling their cheese with another truck to Wausau. Early in the 1970’s, Jim and Lillian started raising ginseng. She did the spraying on their first garden and always helped with every aspect of growing ginseng. She never turned down a chance to drive a tractor or to drive her stick-shift Jeep Scrambler! Lillian loved her family more than anything. She took great pride in having her family over, preparing and serving a great meal. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother and Father’s Day, Jim and Lillian’s birthdays were always a reason to have a great feast! Lillian was a great cook and she took extra pleasure in seeing her 5 grandsons’ appetite grow as they grew older. It just meant she could make more. And always more than one dessert choice! Lillian is survived by her children: David (Marie) Burish and Kay (Randy) Voigt, both of Wausau; son-in-law, Dean Ruplinger, Mosinee; grandsons: Reverend Jesse Burish, Christopher (Kera) Burish, Jamison (Anne Rapp) Burish, Bennett (Megan) Ruplinger and Jordan Ruplinger; great-grandsons: JamesRuplingerandEmmettRuplinger;brother,Marvin(Kathy)Skrzypcak; brothers-in-law: Norbert (Barbara) Burish and Michael Burish; sisters-inlaw: Janet Skrzypchak, Shirley Reid, Dawn Mae Burish, Joyce Burish, Mary Jane Burish, LouAnn Burish, Shirley Burish and Kathy Burish. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James in 2019; daughter, Mary Lynn Ruplinger in 2006, brothers, Alex (Doris) Skrzypcak, Louis Skrzypcak; sisters, Dolores (George) Schueller and Cecilia Skrzypcak; father and mother-in-law, Edward and Leora Burish; sisters-inlaw, Margaret Burish, Sister Beatrice Burish, Beatrice (David) Wadzinski; brothers-in-law, Rueben Burish, Eugene (Donna) Burish, Marlen (Theresa) Burish, Elton Burish, Edward Burish, John (Susie) Burish, Clarence Skrzypchak, Roland Reid, Anthony Burish, Kenneth Burish and Thomas Burish. The funeral Mass was celebrated at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. The Very Rev. Jesse Burish and Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier co-presided. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Visitation was on Sunday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church or St. Mary’s School. The family would like to thank the staff at Pride TLC for their love and kindness in caring for our mom during her stay there. Peterson/KraemerFuneralHome,Marathon,isinchargeof arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 123041

Gerald “Jerry” Lee Werner, 78, Town of Wien, died Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on August 17, 1943, to the late Frederick and Hertha (Hoernke) Werner. Jerry was a graduate of Strupp School, Edgar High School and North Central Technical College. He was a lifelong resident of the Town of Wien. On August 12, 1972, he married Gayle (Miessner) Werner at St. John Lutheran Church, Hwy. N, Edgar. Jerry and Gayle purchased the Werner family farm and farmed until 1999. Jerry also bought Werner Insurance Agency from his father and proudly passed it on to his daughter upon his retirement. Jerry enjoyed playing softball, bowling and was an avid reader. Jerry served as Town of Wien treasurer for 17 years and was a charter member of the Fenwood Lions Club. He also ran the Fenwood softball leagues and tournaments for many years. Jerry was the recipient of the Lion’s Birch-Sturm Award in 2013 and was named the Edgar Lions’ Citizen of the Year in 2019. Jerry enjoyed sponsoring many bowling and softball teams where he treated the teams as family. Many of the ball teams referred to him as Dad, and his family would come to call the teams “Jerry’s Kids.” Jerry is survived by his wife, Gayle, Town of Wien; their three daughters: Lisa (Chad) Oelke, Merrill, Lynn (Mike) Czech and Lana (Chris) Strasser, both of Edgar. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Cassie, Ethan and Jaidyn Oelke, Valerie and Vanessa Czech, and Paige and Kaden Strasser; and all the rest of “Jerry’s Kids.” He is further survived by one brother, John (Betty) Werner, Edgar, and one sister, Susan (Kris Johnson) Werner, Madison. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Emily. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Hope Lutheran Church, 224556 State Hwy. 97, Edgar. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 22, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, and again on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Fenwood Lions Club or a charity of your choice. Pallbearers for the service will be “Jerry’s Kids.” Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 122869

Eileen A. Franke, 91, Marathon, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Copperleaf Assisted Living, Marathon, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. She was born September 21, 1930, daughter of the late Herbert and Edna (Andreas) Wolfgram. On October 16, 1948, she married Gilbert Franke at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. He preceded her in death on October 27, 1987. Eileen worked at Marathon Cheese Corp. for many years until her retirement. She continued working at several places in the Marathon area until age 83. Eileen was a 70 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 469, Marathon. For many years, she served her community on the Marathon Village Board. Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed traveling, crafting and was an excellent seamstress. She loved baking and cooking and made extraordinary feasts over the years. She overflowed with love for her family and friends. Survivors include two daughters: Theresa “Teri” (Michael) Bullington, Oregon, WI and Deborah Packard, Madison; daughter-in-law, Marilyn (Schmidt) Franke, Edgar; two grandsons: Gerrid (Sadie) Franke, Athens and Shannon Bullington, Parker, Colo.; two great-grandsons: Galen and Elliot Franke; one sister, Ruth Kurth, Wausau; one brother, Roger (Shirley) Wolfgram, Wausau; one sister-in-law, Ruth Franke, Wausau; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her parents and husband, Gilbert, she was preceded in death by her son, Michael; her son-in-law, Jim Packard; and three siblings: Donna Elliott and Dale (Peggy) and Howard Wolfgram. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon on Friday, June 17, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The family would like to thank the caring and supportive staff at Copperleaf in Marathon along with the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Memorials may be directed to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, C/O Aspirus Health Foundation, 425 Pine Ridge Boulevard, Wausau, WI 54401 and St. Mary Catholic Church, P.O. Box 7, Marathon, WI 54448. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 122033