Helke Funeral Home and Cremation Services

04/06/2026

Richard "Dick" K. Wick

Richard Kay Wick passed away April 1, 2026, at age 87.

He was born May 5, 1938, in Merrill, WI, to Percy T. Wick and Viola (Polivka) Wick. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1956, and received his Electrical Engineering Degree from UW Madison in 1960. He put his degree to good use designing controls for the Command Module of the Apollo space program. When the Apollo program ended, he became an engineering instructor at NorthCentral Technical Collage, a position he held until his retirement.

On June 12, 1965, he married Sharon Rose Goetsch at Trinity Lutheran Church. They enjoyed 60+ years of marriage.

Dick loved playing cards. He was a avid Cribbage player and passed his love of the game to his children and grandchildren. His sons-in-law and grandchildren learned the game upon becoming members of the family. Skunking Dad/Grandpa was a badge of honor in the family.

Dick enjoyed traveling with family and friends, especially camping along Lake Superior. After retirement, he and Sharon traveled extensively. Their retirement trip was a summer-long road trip to Alaska that they took in their pickup truck equipped with a topper camper. (And they were still married when they returned home.) Over the years they enjoyed many trips in the US and Europe, and a trip to Australia and New Zealand holds a special place in their memories.

Dick and Sharon were snowbirds for 19 years, spending their winters in an RV park in Rockledge, FL. They enjoyed watching dolphins and manatees, attending old car shows, watching rocket launches, and reading their books on a beach.

One of Dick's favorite places was the family cabin. He and Sharon spent as much time there as possible during the summers, and his kids and grandkids love to swim, kayak, and fish on the lake. The Hazelhurst Pub and Minocqua Pizza Company were favorite places for meals.

Dick is survived by his wife, Sharon Wick; daughters Patty (Alan) Harper and Julie (Jeff) Kania; grandchildren Amy (Nathan) Gunderson, Matthew Harper, Gregory Kania (Joely Baxter), and Jacob Kania (Olivia Keating); brother Gerald (Anne) Wick; sister-in-law Yvonne (Herbert) Meshun, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; father- and mother-in-law Arnold and Mable Goetsch; infant daughter Jennifer Lynn; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2026, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Wausau. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Donations may be made to the St. Mark's Lutheran Church "Built in Love" building campaign or a charity of your choice.

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04/06/2026

Susan "Sue" E. Bousley

Susan “Sue” Elmira Bousley, age 85, of Wausau, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Our House Senior Living in Wausau. She was born on September 4, 1940, to the late Benjamin and Mildred (Pratt) Rossenbach, in Schofield, WI. She attended and graduated from Everest High School in Wausau. Sue met the love of her life, Robert Bousley, and the two were united in marriage on June 18, 1960 in Schofield, WI. Sadly, he preceded her in death on November 2, 2010.

Sue was an organized and caring person that worked as a CNA and Unit Clerk for some time, before worked for Aspirus at the switchboard, which she went on and did for over 30 years, until her retirement. She looked forward to camping trips with her family and spending the day out on the lake fishing in Phillips or Boulder Junction. Sue was very crafty and creative, and would crochet and knit many items, including prayer shawls and hats for cancer patients. She also enjoyed snowmobiling, and spending time with her “Texas Moonlighters”, friends and neighbors. Sue would take in some relaxing time around the bonfire and spending time with her family. Later in life, she enjoyed putting puzzles together and coloring. She is remembered as a caring woman, that was generous and had a forgiving, warm soul. She will be missed dearly and never forgotten.

Sue is survived by her children: Michael (Elaine) Bousley, Tina (Kris) Graefe and Timothy Bousley, grandsons: Benjamin (Kaylee) Graefe and Tyler (Cheyanne) Graefe, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Robert Bousley, brother: Delbert (Helen) Rossenbach and sister: Barbetta (Al) Passow.

The memorial service for Sue will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Helke Funeral Home in Wausau. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service, also at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank the devoted and caring staff at Our House Senior Living in Wausau. Because of their compassion and support, family was put at ease knowing that Sue was being well taken care of.

Helke Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Wausau is honored to be assisting the Bousley family with arrangements. Online condolences may be may be made at www.helke.com.

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04/05/2026

Easter offers a moment of renewal, reflection, and the celebration of enduring hope. We extend our warmest wishes for a joyful and peaceful day to all who observe.

04/02/2026

Jess Patrick Wakely

There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date for Jess Patrick Wakely, age 54, who passed away on April 1, 2026 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Jess was born on February 18, 1972 in Rhinelander, WI to Thomas and Katherine (Hankey) Wakely.

Jess is survived by his wife, Tammy; daughter, Jade; brothers, Mike, Mitch, Chris, and John; sisters, Christine, Jessica, Ana and Vicki; and many nieces and nephews.

Jess will be missed by all who knew him.

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04/02/2026

April marks National Donate Life Month, a time to honor the families and individuals who have chosen to give the extraordinary gift of life through organ donation. We are privileged to support many of these families, whose loved ones’ generosity has offered profound hope and healing to those in need. If you are considering becoming a donor, your decision could save lives and change the future for many.

Learn more today: https://hubs.la/Q046r6RK0

04/02/2026

Donald Francis Lenzner

Donald Lenzner, age 72, of Weston, passed away on March 28, 2026, surrounded by his three loving daughters, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and Rennes Health and Rehab Center.

Donald was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, to the late Roy and Victoria (Krall) Lenzner. He graduated from Wausau West High School in 1972 and went on to earn his Associate Degree in Marketing from Northcentral Technical College. He was known to many as Don or Donnie.

Donald had a deep love for the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was known for getting up early—often before sunrise—to head out for a day of fishing or hunting. He cherished time spent with his good friends and family, traveling on hunting trips throughout the United States and fishing on Lake Superior. He also enjoyed going for drives, taking in the quiet and simple moments along the way.

Donald had a playful side and could be quite the jokester at times, bringing laughter to those around him. He also enjoyed playing bingo and the simple joy of being around others. He loved going for walks and was known for his friendly nature, often greeting those he passed with a warm “Have a good day.” A loyal fan, Donald loved watching the Green Bay Packers and rarely missed a game.

Above all, Donald was a protector at heart—steadfast, strong, and devoted to his three girls, always looking out for them with unwavering love.

Donald is survived by his daughters, Jaime Kelly, Staci (Paul) Kamke, and Tiffani (Chris) Plautz; grandchildren, Maizi and Emma; siblings, Carol Jean Krummel, Dale (Lauren) Lenzner, Gloria Lenzner Ruether, Sharon (David) Larsen; sister-in-law, Karen Lenzner; companion, Marilyn Moser; nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Lenzner; his mother, Victoria Lenzner; brother, Roger Lenzner; and his brother-in-law James Krummel.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 700 W. Bridge Street, Wausau, WI 54401, with Fr. Tom Lindner officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

His legacy of love and protection will remain with his family always.

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03/28/2026

Arleen Claire Wurman

Arleen Wurman, 82, of Wausau, Wisconsin

Arleen Claire Wurman, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister, passed away March 26, 2026 at the age of 82. She lived a life full of love, laughter, and a fierce devotion to the people she held dear.

Born in New York City on September 28, 1943 to Milton and Paula Edelman, Arleen was the youngest of their three children. She met Len in 1961 and they were married in 1963. When Len's career took them to a few cities, including Minneapolis, they both fell in love with the upper Midwest and they settled in Wausau in 1975 where they have lived ever since.

First and foremost, Arleen was a dedicated wife and mother. Over the years, she discovered a love of knitting and excelled at it; each of her grandchildren treasures the beautiful, elaborate baby blankets she created to celebrate their births. She worked at The Knitting Nook with her best friend, Evie Rosen, where she was a fixture, sharing her passion and skill to inspire and teach dozens of fellow knitters.

She also loved to cook, and collected recipes as well as kitchen tools and gadgets-her family often joked she could open her own kitchen store with her impressive collection. From heaps of latkes to enormous holiday turkeys to all types of wild game, she mastered recipes of all kinds to share around a table full of family and friends.

Arleen was a woman of faith, and honoring Jewish traditions was a cornerstone of her life. She and Len have been members of Mount Sinai for 50 years, during which she held numerous leadership and board positions.

Whether cheering as a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan or starting a new knitting project, Arleen brought joy, enthusiasm, and a tremendous sense of humor to everything she did. A voracious reader, she kept a steady stream of books coming into her house and back out again to friends- yet another way in which she kept closely connected to her community and family.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Len; her sister, Charlotte Kardos; her three children, Peter (Nancy), Nancy, and Scott (Jill); grandchildren Tim (Jordan), Erik (Sam), Ben, Matt (Julie), Becka, Tucker, and Piper, and her adorable great-granddaughter, Tessa.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and remembered with love and joy.

Services: A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 30th, at 10:00 a.m. at Mount Sinai Congregation in Wausau, followed by the burial at 11:15 a.m. at Wausau Hebrew Cemetery and a shared meal back at the synagogue at approximately 12:30. Friends are warmly invited to join.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Mount Sinai Congregation or a charity of your choosing.

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03/27/2026

Florence M Beese

Florence Marie (Reed) Beese went to Heaven to be with Jesus on March 25th, 2026. She was 94 years old. Florence was the second child of The Late Henry and Laura (Clark) Reed, born on April 8th, 1931, at St. Mary's Hospital in Wausau. She received her grade-school education in one-room-schools, attending both Olsen in the Town of Mosinee and Hardwood Ridge in the Town of Marathon. She graduated from Mosinee High School with the class of 1949, and went on to college at North Central Technical College (NTC). Florence graduated in 1970 with a degree in Business Administration, majoring in accounting.

Florence married the love of her life, Friedrich (Fred) Beese at St. Stephen Lutheran Church Parsonage on October 17th, 1953, and had one child. Fred proceeded her in death on February 16th, 2002. She stayed at home as long as she could in the house that Fred built back in 1956.

Florence worked in various places before she started working at Wausau Insurance (now Liberty Mutual) where she worked for 15 years, retiring in 1986.

She loved to travel, having been to most of the 50 states, as well as Europe and South Africa; as well as working in her Rose Garden. Florence was also very fond of the genealogy of the Beese / Bramer families, even completing a Beese Genealogy Book.

Florence was a very active member of the community, and will be remembered for being a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church for more than 60 Years; Elder for Social Concerns Committee Council (4 yrs); Women of the ELCA Secretary and Treasurer; Dorcas Circle/Women of St. Stephen helping with funeral lunches; Jolly Friends/Young at Heart Member program coordination; Marathon County Genealogical Society Program Coordination; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Membership; and Retired Women of Wausau Insurance and the Retired Good People of Wausau Insurance. She was also a member of the Franklin School Mother's Club and took part in their “Stunt-night” several times.

Survivors are a beloved son David Beese, Two Grandchildren: John Beese (Heather) of Florida; Jeannette Mueller (Troy) of Appleton, Four Great-Grandchildren: Jonathan and Justin Beese of Florida and Natalie and Zachery Mueller of Appleton WI; Two Sisters: Anna Tanck of Wausau; Martha Walters of Kronenwetter; Brother: Edward Reed of Eldron, WI; Sister-in-Law: Esther (The late Charles Reed) of Wausau, WI and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by her Husband Friedrich (Fred) Beese, Parents Henry and Laura (Clark) Reed, Brother Charles Reed, Grandparents Joseph and Delia (Anderson) Reed; Charles and Ella (Durkee) Clark; Parents-in-law Edward and Laura (Bramer) Beese; Brothers and Sisters-in laws Emil and Edith Beese, Otto and Myrtle Beese, and Arthur and Florence Beese.

A Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church at 12:00 pm (512 McClellan Street, Wausau, WI, 54403) Pastor Karoline Schwantes will be officiating. A Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

The Family would like to extend a special Thanks to Wood Aven Health and Rehab for taking care of Florence the past two years.

Florence loved animals, especially her cat, so in Memorial please direct donations to the Humane Society of Marathon County.

The Helke Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to be assisting The Beese family with arrangements. Condolences may be made below.

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03/26/2026

Helen V Busch

Helen Busch (nee Rauschelbach), 93, a long-time resident of Stevens Point, Lake DuBay, and Wausau, died peacefully on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Wausau.

A memorial service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2291 Church Road, Dancy, WI Wednesday, April 22 with the Reverend Doctor Timothy Roser officiating. Visitation will commence at 12:30 PM with the service following at 1:30 PM. A reception and reflection of Helen’s life will follow the service.

Helen was born in Sheboygan on September 10, 1932 to Hugo and Martha Rauschelbach, the second of four daughters. She grew up in Mount Clemons, MI until the family returned to Wisconsin, moving to Cedarburg in 1946.

Helen attended Concordia Teachers' College in River Forest, IL in 1952. While studying at Concordia, Helen met her future husband, Robert W. Busch. They married in June, 1953 and remained together until his death in 2015.

In 1967, Helen and her family moved to Stevens Point, where she returned to her studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. She graduated with a B.S. in Education in 1970. She also earned a Master's degree in Education from the same university.

A lifelong educator, she spent most of her career teaching at Kennedy Elementary School in Junction City.

Helen was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

Helen is survived by her sisters Martha Doepel, Yukon, OK and Claire Hilgendorf, Appleton; her three sons: John (Kathy), Stevens Point; Kurt (Katharine), Seattle, WA; and Paul (Kris), Weston; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Helke Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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03/24/2026

Roger Lee Stasko

Roger Stasko, 68, passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2026. Roger was born in Stevens Point, WI to the late Roger and Kathryn "Kitty" (Strike) Stasko.

Roger began his career in 1979 with Wausau Insurance, later Liberty Mutual, where he worked as a Software Engineer in the Information Systems Department. Over 40 years, he found his work both challenging and rewarding, with a particular passion for designing and developing software applications. He retired in 2019.

In 1982, he married Lois Edwards after meeting while working on a systems project. Their marriage was defined by enduring love and partnership, and they would have celebrated their 44th anniversary in September 2026.

Roger had a lifelong love of sports. He played football and basketball in high school and college and later enjoyed softball with coworkers in a Wausau Insurance league. He was also an avid cross-country skier and completed the American Birkebeiner twice. An accomplished tennis player, his greatest passion was golf. He enjoyed playing courses throughout the state, was a member of the Stevens Point Country Club, and took memorable golf trips to destinations including Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Springs, California; Gulf Shores, Alabama; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

He and Lois also shared a love of travel, especially annual spring trips to warm destinations such as Cozumel, Cancun, and Ixtapa, Mexico; Punta Cana; and Puerto Rico. Roger especially valued time spent with close friends, enjoying conversation, laughter, and shared experiences.

Roger will be remembered for his warmth, wit, and appreciation for life's simple pleasures. He will be deeply missed.

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Lois; sister, Donna (Gary) Plahmer, Stevens Point, WI; sister-in-law, Judy (Bobby) Morgan, Reidsville, NC; brother-in-law, Mark (Laine) Edwards, Carrollton, TX; nieces and nephew, Zach (Nataly) Morgan, Deforest, WI, Hannah Morgan, Reidsville, NC, Faith Edwards, The Colony, TX, Karalyn Plahmer, Stevens Point, WI, and many other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday March 28, 2026, at First English Lutheran Church, 402 N. 3rd Ave, Wausau, WI 54401. Reverend Mary Zupansic will officiate. Visitation will be held at church from 10:00 AM until the time of services. For those unable to attend in person the services will be livestreamed. Helke Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

A special thank you from the family to the staff of Rennes Health and Rehab Clinic for the support and care they displayed to Roger.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First English Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

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03/24/2026

Jeffrey Vincent Smith

Jeffrey V. Smith, age 91, of Wausau, formerly of the United Kingdom, passed away on March 21, 2026, at Marshfield Medical Center in Weston, WI.

Private services will be held at a later date.

The Helke Funeral Home and Cremation Services (715-842-3993) is honored to be assisting the Smith family.

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03/23/2026

John Lewis Rakow

John Rakow, 82, passed away peacefully at home on March 20, 2026.

Born on December 17, 1943, in Wausau, Wisconsin, John was the son of the late Lewis and Ella (Jansean) Rakow. He grew up in Wausau and attended Wausau High School. On September 5, 1969, he married the love of his life, Susan Mildbrandt of Sturgeon Bay, in Madison. They shared 56 years of devoted marriage.

In 1969, following the passing of his father, John took over the family farm-a role that became one of his greatest lifelong passions. After selling his cows in 1993, he spent 14 years driving milk truck for Mullins Cheese until he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. True to his resilient spirit, John fought his illness with determination. Never one to sit still, he later worked for the Village of Maine, handling road maintenance and snow removal. When he wasn't needed by the Village, he could often be found helping neighboring farmers with fieldwork, driving tractor, or mowing yards around the community. Generosity came naturally to John; he was always ready to lend a hand without hesitation or complaint.

John proudly served the Town of Maine Fire Department for more than 40 years. He also groomed trails for the Trailmates Snowmobile Club, where he was a longtime member.

In his free time, John enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, hunting, traveling, restoring model trains, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose happiest moments were spent gathering loved ones for holidays, birthdays, or any reason he could find to celebrate. Known for his warm laugh, easy conversation, and unmatched old fashioneds, John made everyone feel welcome. After retiring, he especially cherished day trips with friends to fish, snowmobile, or discover new restaurants.

John is survived by his wife, Susan (Mildbrandt) Rakow; his four children, Mike (Shelley) Rakow, Lori Rakow, Debbie (Jamie) Loiz, and Amy Rakow; and his three grandchildren, Alex Rakow, Adysen Loiz, and Skyler Loiz, all of Wausau. He is also survived by a large and loving extended family, including sisters and brothers in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Thomas; his sister, Ruth; his niece, Kristin; his brother in law, Jerry; and his sister in law, Sherry.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (5304 N. 44th Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401). Pastor Maggie Westaby will officiate. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of service, with lunch to follow. Burial will be held at a later date at Berlin Cemetery.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated and compassionate staff at Aspirus, and a special thank you to the team at Aspirus At Home - Hospice for their exceptional care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of Wausau, a charity of your choice, or you may plant a tree in John's memory.

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