Betty Pasnecker

Betty Jane (Schlueter) Pasnecker, 82, Wausau, died Thursday, January 13, 2011 at her home surrounded by her family under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

Betty Jane Burns was born January 7, 1929 to the late Ernest and Emma (Lodholz) in Wausau. She married Gordon F. Schlueter on September 16, 1950 and they celebrated 28 years together prior to his death on August 25, 1978. Betty worked for Wausau Insurance in their custodial department to help provide for her seven children and stayed with Wausau Insurance until her retirement. Betty remarried to Charles A. Pasnecker Sr. on November 1, 1986; sadly he died February 8, 1988. Through it all, Betty's strength carried her and she held her family together.

Betty spent her entire life in the Wausau area and was a lifelong member of First English Lutheran Church. She was also the longest serving member (all 82 years of life) at First English. Betty always thought of others before herself, this was never more evident than with her children whom she always had time for. The most important time of year was Christmas because it meant that the family was together and Betty looked forward to having all of her children, grandchildren and later great-grandchildren with her. The homemade breads, buns, biscuits and noodles that her children grew up with were treats for the next generations as they visited.

Summers for the last 22 years meant going up north in the summer to spend time with her many friends at her camper at North Forest Camp Grounds. In her free time, Betty enjoyed playing bingo and sitting for hours watching the birds outside of her window.

Betty is survived by her children, Donald (Bonnie) Schlueter, Ronald (Melana) Schlueter, Dawn (Gary) Merriam, Debra (Joe) Fochs, Donna (Matthew Brusoe) Mantz, Susie (Dean) Lewitzke and Peggy (Tim) Tessmer; 18 grandchildren, Shawn Schlueter, Shane (Angie) Schlueter, Tracy (Matt Lemieux) Krueger, Hope (Dave) Linki, Ron (Michelle) Schlueter, Michelle Siebert, Shawn (Jessie) Siebert, Gloria Merriam, Michael (Jenny Stencil) Merriam, Scott Merriam, Teri (Wally) Kaminski, Anna Fochs, Joshua (Sarah) Schlueter, Tammy (Gerry) Krueger, Stacy (Paul) Seefelt, Allen Lewitzke, Kyle (Brittney Flory) Tessmer and Shelby Tessmer; and 18 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Adeline Reinecke, Geraldine Cartwright, Gerald Burns, Elmer Burns and Raymond Burns; and son-in-law, Donald Mantz.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Monday, January 17, 2011 at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Reverend Eric Olson will be officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of services at 1:00 PM at the funeral on Monday. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. You may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.

The family would like to extend a word of thanks to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and especially to Rachel Lutze, RN for her compassionate care for Betty and the family during the final months of her life.