Elizabeth 'Bette' Kunze

Elizabeth 'Bette' J Kunze, 88 of Wausau passed away on August 16, 2024. She was born on July 18, 1936, to Floyd and Angeline (Bielen) Gierl in Athens, Wisconsin.

Bette was united in marriage to Albert J. Kunze, Jr on June 8, 1954, at St Anthony's Catholic Church in Athens. Together they raised 2 sons. They were later divorced but reunited after a few years. Albert died on February 25, 2021.

Bette was employed for many years at Marathon Cheese and owned and operated Bette's Skogmo store in Athens. She was also employed at a few other places and liked to volunteer at the St Anthony Retreat Center in Marathon.

She is survived by her sons, Glenn (Sandra) Kunze and Randy (Laurie) Kunze, grandchildren Wes (Jacki) Kunze and their children, Autumn and Sienna, Amber (Andrew) Johnson and their children, Annaliese and Aaryan, Megan Kunze and Jaclyn (Eric Hopp) Kunze and their daughter, Paisley, Brett (Alernie 'Nheca') Kunze and their children Jericho, Brittanie and Arianah Kunze, Jennifer (Chris) Witkowski and their children Joshua and Alyssa. She is further survived by her sister Marian Schemenaur, sister-in-law Delphine Gierl, brother-in-law Donald (Lucianne) Kunze and sister-in-law Mary Weiler and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her former husband Albert Kunze, her brother James Gierl, her sisters Donna Zettler and Arlene Zettler, brother-in-law Pete Schemenaur and brother-in-law Elroy Weiler.

The family would like to thank everyone involved in Bette's care, especially Stacey Duberstein and Chris Erdman.

A private family service will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens, with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Athens at a later date.

Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS