Calvin Nass

Calvin "Butch" Lynn Nass, 64, of the town of Marathon, passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. After 25 years of medical challenges, the Lord came and took him home to heaven.

He was born on May 4, 1953, in Wausau, to the late Rueben and Diana (Voigt) Nass. Calvin attended local schools and was a 1972 graduate of Wausau East High School. Following graduation Calvin entered the military.

The military was an important part of Calvin’s life as he served in the United States Navy. Beginning in 1972 until 1975 Calvin was a part of the Naval Construction Battalion also referred to as the Seabees. He was stationed in several locations including Japan, the Philippines, and Diego Garcia. In April of this year he was able to travel with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. and he was honored to make the trip.

He met the former Debra Beilke on a blind date and they were later married on October 8, 1976 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wausau and spent over 40 years together.

Calvin was a devoted husband and father to his family. He was proud to be a Boy Scout leader for his son for many years. He had a great sense of humor through all his medical challenges that he faced in his lifetime. He enjoyed watching the Packers, NASCAR, the Brewers, Star Trek, old movies and listening to country music. He also loved his Doggie Daycare for his Grandpaws. There was always a dog around as a companion. He took many memorable family trips to Florida, the Smokey Mountains, Dollywood, Branson, Missouri, and Canada. Calvin was a member of the American Legion Alois Dreikson Post #469 in Marathon for over 40 years.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie of Marathon; children, Jeremy (Linda) Nass of Wausau and Jamie (Jacob) Heil of Wausau; brother and sisters, Nancy Parker of Kenosha, Carolyn (Wally) Zernicke of Wisconsin Rapids, Dale (Barbara) Nass of Wausau, Chris (Tony) Shebenik of Wisconsin Rapids, and Deborah Nass of Irving, TX; brothers-in-law, Randy Beilke of Marathon, Rusty (Lenore) Beilke of Appleton, and Ron (Nancy) Beilke of Marathon; sister-in-law, Denise Beilke of Milwaukee; father and mother-in-law, Stanley and Bettye Beilke of Marathon; many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews; his dog, Buddy; and grandpaws, Bernie and Budda.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Marvin Long; and his grandparents.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 31, 2017 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 426 Washington St., Wausau, with Rev. Philip Schneider officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, and again at the church on Monday beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, village of Maine, with military honors provided by the American Legion Alois Dreikson Post #469.

You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.

Memorials can be directed to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Sunday School and Media.

The family would like to thank the Marshfield Medical Center for the kind and caring services they provided throughout the years to Calvin. We would like to personally thank, Dr. S. Gilbert, Pulmonary, and nurse Dawn for all their many years of great service.

The family would also like to thank everyone involved in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight for getting Calvin on the April 24th flight. It was a memory of a lifetime for him.