Marietta Viergutz

Marietta Ann Viergutz, age 88, of Wausau, WI, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at the Prairie Home Assisted Living in Menasha, Wisconsin. Marietta was born on August 16, 1928 in Chippewa County, the daughter of the late Walter and Agnes (Zwiefelhofer) Bleskacek.

Marietta attended a one room school house, Sunnyside, graduated from Bloomer High School in 1946, and went on to attend St. Mary's School of Nursing in Wausau, where she graduated in 1949 as a registered nurse.

After graduation, she married Allen J. Viergutz on November 5, 1949. They made their home in Wausau and celebrated 45 years of marriage before Allen's death on January 15, 1995. Together, they raised a family of six in the Riverview area.

Marietta worked as a registered nurse at hospitals in Wausau until her retirement in 1991.

She and Allen attended numerous Army Reunions of Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Division throughout the U.S. and she continued attending these even after Allen's death. She loved to travel around the country with her family with a pop-up camper and later with a motor home.

She was active in the Girl Scouts with her daughters and hockey with her sons. She was an avid reader, bowled every Tuesday morning, went to church every Sunday, and enjoyed sewing, knitting, gardening especially with her neighbor, Deb Brown, cross country skiing, walking, and cross word puzzles.

She was an active volunteer at her church, St. Michael's, as well as at the local food pantry, The Neighbor's Place, the Marathon County Library, and the Pine Tree Quilters Guild.

Survivors include her children, John (Norma) Viergutz, Elko, Nevada, Mary Viergutz, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Allen (Kathleen) Viergutz, Normal, Illinois, Jane (Robert) Menghini, Plover, Wisconsin, Amy (Joseph) Ziemba, Neenah, Wisconsin, and Marla (Alan) Erickson, Northfield, Minnesota; nine grandchildren, Amy Jean Viergutz, Jared (Leshia) Viergutz, Michael (Brooke) Viergutz, Melissa (Nathan) Prasun, Michelle (Lou Davis) Menghini-Davis, Becci (Heather Hazelwood) Menghini, Benjamin (Sarah) Ziemba, Jacob Erickson, and Jonie Erickson; eight great-grandchildren; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Also survived by her sisters-in-law, Betty (Bud Machel) and Delaine Viergutz.

Marietta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brother, Walter (Elsie) Bleskacek; sister, Gloria (Tom) Hable; and cousin, Marilyn (Marek) (Bing) Day.

Special thanks to the angels of care from Prairie Home Assisted Living.

The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael Parish in Wausau on Monday, January 23 at 11:00 am with a short visitation at the church starting at 10:00 am. A luncheon will follow. Visitation will be held at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, on Sunday, January, 22 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Burial will take place in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Marietta was a big Packer fan, and the family will be gathering for the game at the Great Dane Pub, Sherman St., Wausau, and visitors are welcome.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated in Marietta's name to The Neighbor's Place (neighborsplace.org), The Marathon County Public Library (mcpl.us), or Pine Tree Quilters Guild (pinetreequilters.org).