William Wilde

William F. Wilde, 79, of Wausau, passed away on Friday morning, August 10, 2012, at North Central Health Care-Gardenside Crossing under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. He was born to the late Paul and Erna (Lodholz) Wilde on July 12, 1933 in the town of Hamburg. William attended school at DeCourcey School in Rib Falls. He later married the former Lorraine Mootz in the town of Maine on August 21, 1954.
William will be remembered most for his love of the woods and nature. His love of the outdoors was reflected in the different jobs he had over the course of his life. He worked for Acme Tree Surgery, Marathon County Parks Department, City of Wausau Parks Department, City of Wausau Electrical and Sewer Departments, and most recently worked for the City of Wausau Water Department, from which he retired in 1997. He continued to work as a tree trimmer in his own business as well.
He was an active member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Wausau. William held memberships in the Central Wisconsin Polka Club, Wausau-Merrill Deutscher Klub, Pommeranscher Verein, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, AFSCME Retiree Subchapter 115, and was a former board member of the Wausau Labor Temple. William enjoyed playing the Accordion and Stump Fiddle as well.
William is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children, Kay Wilde (Burton Palmer), Kathy (Jim) Krzmarcik, Randy (Susan) Wilde, and Jamie (Bryan) Tackes; grandchildren, Jennie (Jack) Zastrow, Bill (Mandy) Krzmarcik, Heather (Nathan) White, and Matthew Tackes (Taylore Turney); step-granddaughter, Tammy (Joe) Neu; great-grandchildren, Finley Zastrow, Faith Lemmer, Carson, Jasmine, Preston, Mason, and Brandon White, and Jacob Neu; sisters, Ruth (Elroy) Brandt, Jean Wilde, and Virene (Arlis) Cramer; sisters-in-law, Margaret Wilde and Jean Wilde; and brothers-in-law, Bob Wade and Elgart Thurs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Erna Wilde; in-laws, Harry and Leona Mootz; and brothers, sisters, and in-laws, Bernhardine and Louis Ohde, Myrtle Sluga, Viletta Wade, Shirley Thurs, Clarence and Doris Tobalsky, Earl Wilde, Arden Wilde, Marvin Wilde, Lucinda Gaskins, Harold and Elda Wilde, Gilbert Wilde, Edward Wilde, and Dale Wilde.
A funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 600 Stevens Dr., Wausau, with Deacon Bill Metter officiating. Family and friends may call on Monday, August 13, 2012, beginning at 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, and on Tuesday, beginning at 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church. Entombment will take place following the service in Restlawn Memorial Park-Gardens of Eternal Rest Mausoleum, Wausau.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
The family requests memorial contributions to the Robert W. Monk Public Gardens, www.rwmonkgardens.org, or to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org/gwwi.