Obit: Baltus, John R. (1923 – 2009)
Contact: History Buffs

Surnames: Baltus, Schultz, Kleiber, Susa, McKay, Wilder, Brice, Fechtner, Novak, Hess, La Perriere, Benzinger

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) Wednesday, 3 June 2009

----Baltus, John R. (11 Sept. 1923 – 1 June 2009)

WAUSAU -- John R. Baltus, 85, passed peacefully into eternal life on June 1, 2009, at Wellington Place Assisted Living in Rib Mountain.

John was born to John and Emma (Schultz) Baltus on Sept. 11, 1923, and grew up on Silver Lake in Laona. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a seaman on the USS Atascosa. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison before entering the service, and graduated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a bachelor of science degree in forestry. He married Rita Kleiber on Sept. 14, 1946, at St. Joseph's Parish in Perkins, Mich. She preceded him in death Feb. 7, 2004.

John was employed by the state of Wisconsin as a forester and area supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources in Wausau and Antigo until the time of his retirement.

He is survived by his three daughters, Mary (Lee) Susa, Wisconsin Rapids, Maggie (Derek) McKay, Nokomis, Fla., and Therese Wilder, Janesville; and two sons, John J. Baltus, Wausau, and Joseph Baltus, Rhinelander. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Jon (Gusty), Kyle and Matthew (Angie) Susa, Joseph and Kristin Baltus, Charlie (Lindsay) and Courtney Wilder, and Caitlin Baltus; three great-grandchildren, Maya, Melanie and Mark Susa; special sister, Judy Benzinger; a sister-in-law, Shirley (Richard) La Perriere; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Rita; parents, John and Emma Baltus; three sisters, Ella (Reno) Fechtner, Anne (Stanley) Novak and Marion (Leonard) Hess, all of Laona; two brothers, George (Evelyn) Baltus, Shorewood, and Charles (Ethel) Baltus, Laona.

John loved to be in the woods, especially at the "40," where he picnicked with his family and friends, hunted, logged, planted and cut Christmas trees, roasted corn, made maple syrup, gardened and drove his tractors. He will best be remembered for all of the good times at the "40." His grandchildren loved to go with him to "water the tomatoes" but grimaced at his plans to always move the wood piles.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2009, at the Church of St. Anne, 700 W. Bridge St. Wausau. The Rev. Steven J. Brice will officiate. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Wausau.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and again Thursday from 12:30 until the time of service, all at the church.

Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau, is assisting the family with arrangements.