Henry Wokatsch

Henry J. Wokatsch was born September 10, 1934, in Wausau to the late Henry and Edna (Bartelt) Wokatsch. Henry grew up a true man of the land on the family farm. In his youth he and his dad operated the neighborhood threshing machine moving from farm to farm with the crew. He restored his father's sawmill and he loved logging, sawing firewood, and working and building with wood. The farm has been in the family since 1901. Henry graduated from Marathon High School in 1952. Henry married Caroline Zunker at First English Lutheran Church, Wausau, on July 22, 1961. Together Henry and Caroline operated and expanded the Town of Marathon dairy farm until 1997. He was awarded a Wisconsin Valley Fair Certificate of Achievement for his farm operations. He planted crops, grew ginseng, harvested maple syrup, and milked dairy cows. Henry enjoyed painting and time in his machine shop and he could fix or build just about anything out of metal. He was proud of his John Deere machinery, especially tractors, and appreciated their reliability. He showcased his tractors at the local tractor pulls.
Henry enjoyed deer hunting with his family and neighbors and fishing. He loved to listen to Polka music and enjoyed traveling, including trips to Alaska and Europe. He played sports with his children including volleyball, basketball and horseshoes. Henry also loved to satisfy his sweet tooth with chocolate.
On Thursday, January 20, 2011, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease, Henry passed away at the age of 76, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau. Survivors include: Caroline Wokatsch, Marathon; three sons, Randel (Kerry) Wokatsch, Marathon, and their family, Ryan, Kyle, Ross, Kory; James (Sue) Wokatsch, Marathon, and their family, Nicholas, Jordyn, Allison; Kenneth (Ruth) Wokatsch, New Berlin, and their family, Kenneth, Jr, Gabriella, Gavin; one daughter, Theresa (Ryan) Wetzsteon, Wausau, and their family, Malaya and Elise; and one sister, Dorothy Morgan; and one brother, Lawrence (Bonnie) Wokatsch, all of Wausau.
Visitation will be at the Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, on Tuesday, January 25th from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Additional visitation will be at First English Lutheran Church, Wausau on January 26, 2011, from Noon until the service at 1:00pm. Reverend Erik Olson will officiate. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Henry's pallbearers will be Raymond Zunker, Todd Zunker, Robert Gresens, Timothy Lemmer, Gordon Stieber, and Jonathon Wokatsch. You may sign family guest book at helke.com.