1913
Sylvia
2015
Sylvia Fehlhaber
August 2, 1913 — February 25, 2015
Sylvia B. Fehlhaber, 101, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Cedar Creek Manor Assisted Living, Kronenwetter under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Sylvia Mewes was born August 2, 1913 in Shebobygan, WI to Elsie Jeske Mewes Dobrenz and her first husband. Her mother later married Fred Dobrenz.
The family called her "Slivers", the name she acquired when her brother couldn't pronounce Sylvia.
She attended Sheboygan schools and was a graduate of the Vocational High School, after which she moved to Wausau and lived with her Uncle Rich. She found work as a housekeeper.
Sylvia met Erwin G. Fehlhaber in Wausau and they were united in marriage on November 11, 1931 in the parsonage of Zion Lutheran Church. Erwin preceded her in death after battling Alzheimer's disease for more than a decade.
She was employed at the Hotel Wausau for over 30 years, first as an elevator operator, then in housekeeping. In addition to the hotel, she usually held a second job, mostly waitressing. After work ended at the hotel, she waitressed at the American Legion for several years. Sylvia then spent her final 21 working years waitressing at the VFW, retiring at 84!
In addition to being a hard worker, she was a giver. She was kind, generous and loving. She cared for Erwin throughout his illness, volunteered at Kennedy Park for several years, faithfully visited shut-ins, and was involved with the Pilgrim Lutheran Church Busy Bee Quilters for many years.
Before macular degeneration robbed Sylvia of most of her sight, she was an avid reader and master at crossword puzzles (doing them in ink!). She was grateful to Dr. Thaddeus Krolicki for his efforts to preserve the limited vision she had and felt blessed he was her doctor.
She loved cleaning, organizing and keeping her yard well groomed. She enjoyed her flowers, cutting grass and raking leaves into her mid-90's!
Sylvia was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Wausau for nearly 66 years. She and Erwin joined in April 1949 when services were still held in the pastor's home. For many years they served as the church custodians.
Slivers was afraid of dogs most of her life, but that changed dramatically at Cedar Creek Manor when she met Linda's "canine daughters", Zoey and Maisy. Maisy formed a special bond with her, and while she loved them both, she would say "Zoey and I aren't quite as close, but Maisy is my best friend." The girls brought her much joy, comfort and unconditional love.
Slivers is survived by nephews, nieces and their extended families; Tom (Susie) Krueger, Lake Villa, IL, John (Dawn) Miller, Glenbulah, WI, Beverly Baumann, Maria Houthys, Kathleen "Kitty" Miller, Jeff Miller and Janet L. Krueger all of Sheboygan, WI. Fehlhaber-in-laws, most notably; Marion Fehlhaber, Wausau and Alice Fehlhaber, Kronenwetter; other survivors include dear friends, LaDonna Soukup and her son, Douglas, Weston, as well as her beloved Maisy, Zoey, their "mom" Linda, and the entire "extended family" she gained through Cedar Creek Manor.
She was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, husband, infant son, and her siblings, Ray Mewes, Pat Mewes, Shirley McCauley, Betty Miller, Elaine Krueger and Fred Dobrenz Jr.
Respecting Sylvia's wishes, a private service will be held at the time of burial in the Lutheran Cemetery, Sheboygan, WI. Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, is assisting the family with the arrangements and you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Janet would like to thank Dr. Michael Umland and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Also thanks to her former neighbors for their kindness through the years; Elaine, Arden, Joan and Randy. Heartfelt thanks to the Pilgrim Congregation for their prayers and special thanks to Pastor Paulette Creswell for her visits, prayers and support. Many thanks to Kathleen Hackel for everything she did for Sylvia. And a tremendous thank you to Linda Fosick and her mother Cathy at Cedar Creek Manor, to their entire staff and past staff who loved and cared for Slivers, and Zoey and Maisy for their love. You are my Rock Stars! Maisy may have been the apple of her eye, but she loved and truly appreciated all of you! My Aunt Slivers thanked me often, but I feel I need to thank her – the journey we had together has made me a better person.
Sylvia Mewes was born August 2, 1913 in Shebobygan, WI to Elsie Jeske Mewes Dobrenz and her first husband. Her mother later married Fred Dobrenz.
The family called her "Slivers", the name she acquired when her brother couldn't pronounce Sylvia.
She attended Sheboygan schools and was a graduate of the Vocational High School, after which she moved to Wausau and lived with her Uncle Rich. She found work as a housekeeper.
Sylvia met Erwin G. Fehlhaber in Wausau and they were united in marriage on November 11, 1931 in the parsonage of Zion Lutheran Church. Erwin preceded her in death after battling Alzheimer's disease for more than a decade.
She was employed at the Hotel Wausau for over 30 years, first as an elevator operator, then in housekeeping. In addition to the hotel, she usually held a second job, mostly waitressing. After work ended at the hotel, she waitressed at the American Legion for several years. Sylvia then spent her final 21 working years waitressing at the VFW, retiring at 84!
In addition to being a hard worker, she was a giver. She was kind, generous and loving. She cared for Erwin throughout his illness, volunteered at Kennedy Park for several years, faithfully visited shut-ins, and was involved with the Pilgrim Lutheran Church Busy Bee Quilters for many years.
Before macular degeneration robbed Sylvia of most of her sight, she was an avid reader and master at crossword puzzles (doing them in ink!). She was grateful to Dr. Thaddeus Krolicki for his efforts to preserve the limited vision she had and felt blessed he was her doctor.
She loved cleaning, organizing and keeping her yard well groomed. She enjoyed her flowers, cutting grass and raking leaves into her mid-90's!
Sylvia was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Wausau for nearly 66 years. She and Erwin joined in April 1949 when services were still held in the pastor's home. For many years they served as the church custodians.
Slivers was afraid of dogs most of her life, but that changed dramatically at Cedar Creek Manor when she met Linda's "canine daughters", Zoey and Maisy. Maisy formed a special bond with her, and while she loved them both, she would say "Zoey and I aren't quite as close, but Maisy is my best friend." The girls brought her much joy, comfort and unconditional love.
Slivers is survived by nephews, nieces and their extended families; Tom (Susie) Krueger, Lake Villa, IL, John (Dawn) Miller, Glenbulah, WI, Beverly Baumann, Maria Houthys, Kathleen "Kitty" Miller, Jeff Miller and Janet L. Krueger all of Sheboygan, WI. Fehlhaber-in-laws, most notably; Marion Fehlhaber, Wausau and Alice Fehlhaber, Kronenwetter; other survivors include dear friends, LaDonna Soukup and her son, Douglas, Weston, as well as her beloved Maisy, Zoey, their "mom" Linda, and the entire "extended family" she gained through Cedar Creek Manor.
She was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, husband, infant son, and her siblings, Ray Mewes, Pat Mewes, Shirley McCauley, Betty Miller, Elaine Krueger and Fred Dobrenz Jr.
Respecting Sylvia's wishes, a private service will be held at the time of burial in the Lutheran Cemetery, Sheboygan, WI. Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, is assisting the family with the arrangements and you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
Janet would like to thank Dr. Michael Umland and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Also thanks to her former neighbors for their kindness through the years; Elaine, Arden, Joan and Randy. Heartfelt thanks to the Pilgrim Congregation for their prayers and special thanks to Pastor Paulette Creswell for her visits, prayers and support. Many thanks to Kathleen Hackel for everything she did for Sylvia. And a tremendous thank you to Linda Fosick and her mother Cathy at Cedar Creek Manor, to their entire staff and past staff who loved and cared for Slivers, and Zoey and Maisy for their love. You are my Rock Stars! Maisy may have been the apple of her eye, but she loved and truly appreciated all of you! My Aunt Slivers thanked me often, but I feel I need to thank her – the journey we had together has made me a better person.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sylvia Fehlhaber, please visit our flower store.