Avila Valerian Tolk

Avila V. Tolk, age 95, of Schofield, formerly of Athens, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Traditions/Pine Meadows in Schofield, WI. She was born June 24, 1929 in Hamburg, WI to Arnold Grell and Martha (Brunow) Grell. On September 23, 1950 she was united in marriage to Ervin Tolk in Hamburg, who preceded her in death in 1993. They lived on the Tolk family homestead (est. 1905) where they ran the dairy farm and raised their family. After the cows were sold, they operated Tolk Trucking Inc. from the farm. She then married Melvin Buetsch of Marathon in 1999, where they built a house and gardens that she helped design.

Avila (Ah-vi-lah) because people always got it wrong – attended Barney School in Hamburg speaking only German when she went to first grade. She also attended Merrill High School and graduated from Wausau High School. She worked as a dental assistant after graduation before her marriage. 

Mom had a love of gardening and decorating, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She had a taste for the finer things in life and especially enjoyed decorating her house for Christmas and other holidays. She painted some beautiful rosemaling pieces and other paintings. She loved dancing to the German polkas and was a member of the Central Wisconsin Pommerscher Verein. She also enjoyed singing in the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. Mom had an entrepreneurial spirit and sold Stanley Home Products in her early years of marriage. She was a 4-H Club general leader for the Halsey Hawks 4-H Club for several years and a member of the Red Hat Society. Later on, she joined the Marathon County Republican Women’s Group and worked at the elections for the township of Rib Falls. She also worked on the Marathon County canvass board recounting ballots. She loved talking to people, campaigning for the candidates, and attended the Republican state conventions where she met Governor Dreyfus and Governor Thompson.

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Zimmermann, Wausauand son Dwight (Diane) Tolk, Athens, and one sister, Joan Marg, Waterford, WI. Avila’s grandchildren include Chris Zimmermann, Amy (Matt) Jaecks, Ben (Lora) Zimmermann, Nicole Tolk, Ryan (fiancé Kenzie Zimmerman) Tolk, Tricia Ostrowski and Trever (Amanda) Ostrowski; step-grandchildren,Craig (Keri) Johnson, Lisa Johnson, Sara Johnson, Meghan (Christopher) Dick and Jessica Lecher. Great-grandchildren, Olivia, Brady, Reuben, Ethan, Evelyn, Keenan, Jace and Riley; step-great-grandchildren, Cortland, Graci, Gretchen, Kipp, Kacey, Molly, Haylee, Myla, and Gabreyl, along with many nieces and nephews. 

Avila was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Ervin, second husband Mel, a sister, Corinne Grell, infant son Sherwin, daughter Corrine Ostrowski and grandson Travis Ostrowski, son-in-law Patrick Ostrowski, brothers and sisters-in-law Lillian (Art) Gall, Clarence (Ethelyn) Tolk, Walter (Betty) Tolk, Erma (Alfred) Becker and Roger Marg.

Avila will be missed by all who loved and knew her. May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand until we meet again.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens, WI. Pastor Mark Schwarz will officiate. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 am until the time of service. Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery, County Road A, Athens. Live stream will be available for those unable to attend on the Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens, WI Facebook page.

We wish to thank Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services for their support and the staff at Traditions/Pine Meadows, especially Sam, Sierra, Sami, Erik and Kenzie for taking such good care of our mom.