Our Staff

Scott Brainard

Licensed Funeral Director

    Scott has been a licensed Funeral Director since 1973. He leads a staff dedicated to helping families honor their loved ones in the most respectful and loving way possible. Scott is an active member of the Wausau area community who has served as President of numerous organizations including: Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Exchange Club of Wausau, and Big Bull Falls Lions Club. Scott has an active personal life that includes downhill skiing, scuba diving, and motorcycles. He has two sons, one daughter-in-law, and a grandson and a granddaughter.

Lucas Gajewski

Licensed Funeral Director

    Lucas is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer who manages the day-to-day operations at Brainard. He is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, where he was acknowledged by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, the National Funeral Director’s Association, and the Cremation Association of North America for his dedication and commitment to mortuary studies. He received The American Institute of Embalmer’s Award and The Jack Adams Dodge Award in regards to his ranking in his class, as well as the Karlton A. Koball Award; an award presented to the student demonstrating an unwavering professional attitude and behavior, selected by his peers.

     He currently serves as Vice President on the Wisconsin River Valley board of the Wisconsin Funeral Director’s Association. He is also serving as the Community Outreach Advisor on the Board of Directors for the Central Wisconsin Educational Theatre Alliance. Lucas was the Class President of the D.C. Everest Class of 2013 and is a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schofield where he serves as an Outreach Board Member. He also is a member of the Worship Band at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Weston. While attending UW-Eau Claire, Lucas was a member of The Singing Statesmen and is now a member of the Wausau Lyric Choir. He enjoys getting involved on stage and off with various community music and theatre groups.

    Lucas feels honored to return to his hometown and blessed to be using his talents to serve the families of this community.

Email: lucas@brainardfuneral.com

Shannon Rhyner

Licensed Funeral Director

    Shannon is pleased to return to Brainard Funeral Home, after serving her apprenticeship with us in 2000. A graduate of Milwaukee Area Technical School’s mortuary science program, Shannon has worked in funeral homes in Southern Wisconsin, Texas, and California. She is happy to return to her hometown and meet with the families we serve to help them arrange a personalized service tailored to their loved one.

Email: shannon@brainardfuneral.com

Nick Ficken

Licensed Funeral Director

Nicholas is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, who received his degree in Mortuary Science from Milwaukee Area Technical College in 2014.  After Mortuary School, Nick worked for Beste Funeral Home in Mosinee for three years as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, he is proud to return and serve the Wausau community where he apprenticed with Brainard Funeral Home starting back in 2010.  He is currently serving as the President for the Wisconsin Valley Funeral Directors Association.  Nick, his wife Megan, and their two sons Jase and Hunter live in Nick’s hometown of Mosinee, WI.  A US Army Veteran, Nick occupies his time outside of work with his family and friends.  An avid outdoorsman and hunter, Nick also is a member of the Mosinee Sportsman’s Alliance.

Email: nick@brainardfuneral.com

Sarah Zuelke

Licensed Funeral Director

Sarah grew up in Tomahawk, Wisconsin with aspirations of being an Athletic Trainer. After attending college at UW Eau Claire for Athletic Training for four years, she discovered that her heart was elsewhere. Much to her family’s surprise, she changed her major to Mortuary Science and received her degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College in 2009. Sarah has been serving families in the Wausau area since then. Being able to meet so many wonderful people and helping them at one of the most difficult times in their lives has been very fulfilling. Sarah and her husband Nathan, a police officer with the Rothschild Police Department, live in Wausau with their two kids Lianna and Will.  They are members of The Village Church in Kronenwetter.

Email: sarah@brainardfuneral.com

Debbie Maly

Advance Funeral Planner

    Debbie is happy to join the Brainard Funeral Home family and is committed to helping families plan for their future needs as our Advance Funeral Planner. She has two married sons and four beautiful grandchildren. An avid traveler, Debbie loves to fill her passport with new stamps by exploring new places and learning different cultures and traditions.

Email: debbie@brainardfuneral.com

Ryley Dunn

Administrative Assistant

    Ryley is the Administrative Assistant in our Wausau Chapel. Ryley graduated from UW – Stout with a Bachelors degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. She lived in the Menomonie, Eau Claire area for 8 years after school before moving back to her hometown of Wausau. Ryley spends her free time with her friends, family and cats. She enjoys her interaction with the community on a daily basis and takes pride in assisting our funeral directors with the families who walk through our doors. She is most likely the voice you will hear when you call Brainard Funeral Home, so drop a line and help us welcome her!

Email: ryley@brainardfuneral.com

Roger Kohn

Funeral Assistant

    Roger retired from Emmons Business Interiors after a career that spanned almost 46 years. Roger is married to Jan, and they have four daughters, four grand daughters, and one grandson. Roger served 4 ½ years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jan & Roger are members of the Elks Club Lodge #248. He loves spending time with his family, traveling and fishing. When not working Roger is involved with his church, Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary Jarvis

Funeral Assistant

    Mary is serving as a Funeral Assistant. She graduated from UW-Stout with degrees in Psychology and Counseling, along with a Master's Degree in Education from UW-Stevens Point. Mary is a retired educator from the Wausau School District after 35 years of service.

    Mary and her husband, Dick, enjoy sharing time with their two sons, one of whom lives in the Wausau area and the other in Denver, Colorado. They enjoy volunteering in the community with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, their church-St. Andrew Lutheran Church, and various other volunteer opportunities. Their small hobby farm keeps them busy, but in Mary's spare time, she enjoys gardening and horseback riding.

Paul Missett

Building & Grounds Assistant

    Paul retired from Federal Mogul in 2011, is Chairman of the Wausau Veterans Committee, Past Commander of Wausau American Legion Post 10, Co-Commander of American Legion Honor Guard and served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Married for 39 years to Sue and they have 3 daughters, 2 grandsons, and 2 grandaughters. He enjoys spending time with family, golfing, hunting fishing and helping family and friends when they need things fixed.