Berneice Neumann-Wade

Early Friday morning, May 8th, 2015, our Lord called home his servant, Berneice Neumann-Wade, 87, Merrill, from the Hospice House under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

Berneice was born July 23rd, 1927 in Powell, WI to the late William and Winifred (Bazile) Marquardt. She graduated from Wausau East High School in 1945 and went on to graduate from the Teaching College in Stevens Point in 1947 with her Rural Teaching certification and later in 1964; she completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Berneice married Harvey Neumann on June 25, 1949. The couple was blessed with 3 sons; Allen, Gary and Roger. Sadly, after 42 wonderful years together, Harvey went home to be with his Lord on July 24, 1991. Berneice found love a second time when she married Neale Wade on November 15, 1996. The couple celebrated 18 years together before Neale also went home to be with his Lord on November 11, 2014.

Berneice was a good and hardworking Christian woman who dearly loved her church and family. She was a lifelong member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Maine; being confirmed there on April 6, 1941 and married there twice. Berneice had the heart of a teacher, not only for teaching others but also her own children. She spent a total of 34 years teaching first in the rural system for 5 years and 29 years at the Maine Elementary School. Free time often found Berneice working in her garden, tending her flowers and working on crafts.

Berneice is survived by her loving sons, Gary (Suzanne) Neumann of Cleveland, WI and Rev. Roger (Rose Marie) Neumann of Oskaloosa, IA; daughter-in-law, Lois ( Dennis) Gillingham; grandchildren, Corey (Debbie), Carrie (Andy), Ryan (Tracey), Lisa, Nicholas (Angelia), Jacqueline (Scott), Kristina (Jon), Katee Jo (Dave), David and Timothy; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Germaine (Krause) of Milwaukee, DuWayne Marquardt of Wausau, Clifford Marquardt of Ohio and Vernon Marquardt of Appleton; 4 step-sisters and extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her son, Allen; siblings, Margaret (Grim), Donald Marquardt, Doris (Tessmer), Betty Lou (Wade) and Evelyn (Fields).

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Maine. Rev. Nathaniel Biebert will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, May 12 at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau; continuing on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will be at the Town of Berlin Cemetery following the church service. You may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (6655 County Road A, Wausau, WI 54401) or to the Hospice House (Aspirus Health Foundation, 425 Pine Ridge Boulevard, Wausau, WI 54401).