Elizabeth Vehlow

It is with sadness that the family of Elizabeth ("Liz") Elaine Vehlow announces her passing on August 14, 2024. Born on December 23, 1947 to Elaine (Hunger) and John Vehlow, Liz spent most of her life in Wausau.

A voracious reader and student, Liz devoted her life to healthcare, studying nursing at the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing. After graduating she worked as a Registered Nurse for 17 years. Starting in 1991 she held the position of Patient Education Coordinator at the North Central Health Care center until she retired. A favorite of staff and patients, she was always greeted warmly when out and about.

Liz also had a passion for history, completing her Bachelors of Arts degree in History and Broad Field Social Sciences and two years of postgraduate study in history at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Throughout her life she worked on tracing the Vehlow and Hunger family history back to the 1800s.

In addition to her years of work and study, Liz took pride in volunteering. She was a regular at Grant Elementary where she read to students, popped popcorn and helped with the winter dance and spring carnival. She also volunteered at the Marathon County Public Library and Bethany Baptist Church.

Family might have been what Liz loved and cherished most. Nothing was more important than when her niece and nephews were telling her about their interests, she would listen with rapt attention, making mental notes so she could surprise them later with trinkets or anecdotes related to these interests. She had all the time in the world for her family and loved showering them with attention and affection. At Christmas she hid the infamous pickle ornament in her tree for her nephews to find. When her niece graduated from both high school and college in Alaska she made the trip up to celebrate with her.

Listening to the stories, it was clear she was the trickster of the family since childhood, relishing the opportunity to play a lighthearted trick on her siblings, whether it was sneaking up and startling them with a quick tickle or goofy noise, she wanted to make people smile and laugh.

Throughout the years Liz adopted many cats and dogs, giving them a warm and happy home. Her couch was indented on the edge because her pets would inevitably plant themselves behind her while she watched tv or read, pushing her to the edge, where she stayed, keeping them comfortable.

Liz is survived by her siblings Diane Anderson, Susan (Bo) Aaron, and John (Marion) Vehlow; niece Nichole (Michael) Miller; nephews Matthew (Destinie) Vehlow, Andrew (Emily) Vehlow, Brenden (Elizabeth) Vehlow, Nathan (Xong) Vehlow; and her great nieces and nephew Linnaea Miller, Charlotte Vehlow and Jeydon. Liz is preceded in death by her mother and father.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Azura Memory Care Wausau and Aspirus Hospital Palliative Care for taking such good care of Liz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Liz's name may be made to Portage County Humane Society.

Per Liz's wishes, there will be no service. Her family will hold a private celebration of life to honor her memory.  Brainard Funeral Home is assisting Liz's family.

She will be forever missed.