Richard “Rich” Wanta, age 85, W8518 Cty. Rd. O, Tomahawk, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2012 at his residence.
Rich was born May 28, 1926 in the Town of Callen (Marathon County), the son of Edmund and Esther (Zilisch) Wanta. He married Marjorie Jaecks on Aug. 6, 1955 at St. Stevens Church in Wausau.
Rich worked with his dad as an auto mechanic at Wanta Service Station in Wausau for many years, later taking over the business as owner in partnership with his brother. He moved to Tomahawk in 1977, and had a hobby farm for many years. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, shooting trap, going to his cottage in Mercer, and spending time with his family. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Tomahawk.
Survivors include his wife, Marge Wanta of Tomahawk; children, Dale (Loretta) Wanta, Tomahawk, Julie (Darold) Hess, Tomahawk, Debra (Lonnie) Dahl, Tomahawk, Tim (Penny) Wanta, Tomahawk, and Sherri (Ken) Johnson, Tomahawk; brothers, Frank (Betty) Wanta, Weston, and Roger Wanta, Weston; sister-in-law, Donna Wanta, Weston. Rich is further survived by 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Michael, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Funeral services for Rich Wanta will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, at Grace Lutheran Church in Tomahawk. Rev. Mark Ziemer will officiate. The family will receive friends at Krueger Family Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 17th from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour services at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Tomahawk.
View the obituary and send online condolences at: www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com.