All Obituaries

Roger Herman Kniess, 78, passed away at his home on October 22, 2020. Roger was born on March 5, 1942, to the late Herman and Hilda (Seager) Kniess. He married Margaret “Marge” Ann Wegner on August 17, 1963, at Trinity Lutheran Church in the town of Berlin. Together, they shared 53 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on June 24, 2017. Roger was employed with Urban Construction in Wausau, retiring after more than 36 years of service. He loved traveling; a special...

John L. Durkee, 78, of Wausau, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at home. He was born to the late Kanter and Enid (Roloff) Durkee in Wausau on October 10, 1942 and grew up in Mosinee.  He met his future wife, Suzanne Dey, while attending U.W. – LaCrosse.  They were married on April 14, 1962 in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. John excelled in sports, playing basketball, football, and running track in high school.  He played softball for many years in his adult...

Lillian B. Zenner, age 92, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. Lillian was born on April 15, 1928 to the late Elmer and Bessie (Skinner) Schwantes.  She married Donald A. Zenner on October 1, 1948 in Pine City, Minnesota.  He preceded her in death. Lillian is survived by her children James (Kaye) Zenner and Linda Larson and granddaughter Alexis (Tim) Schleusner. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran...

One minute they were waiting for Dad to come home from bow hunting — and the next minute they were rushing to a hospital four hours away, praying a massive heart attack could be healed. With family at his side, Mike passed into the arms of his loving Father in Heaven. Our dad, husband, son, brother, and friend has moved to a heavenly ‘relocation’. Anyone who knows Mike ‘knows’ that he doesn’t mince words. His direct orders would be, “I love you and...

On Friday, October 16th, 2020, Gary L Gavin, lovingly known as “Opa” to his grandkids, passed away at the age of 59 from COVID-19. Gary was born on November 26th, 1960 in Greenfield, WI to the late Frances (Herb) and Elaine (Olson) Gavin. After graduating from Greenfield High School, and while working full time, he received his associates degree in Accounting and went on to become the Controller of the Country Springs Hotel for over 15 years. Gary found his love of living in...

Verna H. Schuett, 88, departed this life to be with her Heavenly Father and her beloved husband Chuck on Thursday, October 15, 2020. She died peacefully in the comfort of the earthly home she created and loved, five days shy of her 89th birthday. Verna was born on October 20, 1931 to the late Frank and Irene (Stubbe) Goebel. She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, attended Trinity Lutheran School through the sixth grade, and then transferred to Zion Lutheran School to complete her...

Marc Christopher Olson, 36, of Rothschild, passed away unexpectedly at his home on October 14, 2020. Marc was born September 29, 1984 in Winfield, Illinois to Douglas and Marilyn (Rutherford) Olson. They survive him. Marc was a graduate of DC Everest H.S. and attended Chippewa Valley Technical College. He worked as a sous chef for many years in Eau Claire, then moved back to Wausau, where he was a Production Manager at Applied Laser Technology in Weston. Marc will be remembered for his...

Jeff Matzke, affectionately known as “Animal,” passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at the age of 58. He was born on March 21, 1962, to Dean and Germayne (Borner) Matzke in Oconomowoc. At the age of 16, he began a lifelong career of snowplowing in the Wausau area. He graduated from Wausau West High School in 1980. Jeff and his wife Amy owned Countryside Fence in Wausau until their retirement in 2019. Jeff formerly worked at County Concrete and the...

Janet E. Burns, age 90, of Wausau died on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  Janet was born on June 10, 1930 in the Town of Maine to the late Otto and Alma (Radtke) Imm.  She married James Burns on November 8, 1954 in Waukegan, Illinois.  Together they had 6 wonderful children.    Growing up with immigrant parents and working on the farm, Janet learned what hard work was from a young age.  She was employed as a bartender at the VFW but...

Dale Aleckson, 91, of Weston, Wisconsin, who spent his entire career in public education, died on October 2, 2020. The son of the late Halvor and Nellie (Jensen) Aleckson was born September 30, 1929 in St. Cloud, MN.  He married Donna Johnson on June 5, 1952. A graduate of Clear Lake Minnesota High School in 1947, he earned his undergraduate degree in education from St Cloud State Teachers College in 1952.  He also earned his Master’s Degree in Public School Finance from...