LeiLonie Thresher

LeiLonie Thresher, age 75, went to be with her Lord July 10, 2022, at Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff, WI. LeiLonie was born on January 19, 1947, to Violet and Clifford Woodward.

LeiLonie was baptized on February 22, 1947, at Peace United Church of Christ in Schofield, WI by Reverend Carl Nagel. As this was a special day for the family, her cousin Christine, Uncle Harvey Woodward, and her father Clifford Woodward were also baptized into Christ. On May 14, 1961, Lonie was confirmed at the same church she had been baptized in, Peace United Church of Christ by Reverend Vernon Dolde. This day also happened to be her parents 29th wedding anniversary.

Lonie attended and graduated from DC Everest High School and attended University of Wisconsin Marathon County Campus, as well as Nicolet College in Rhinelander, WI. Lonie earned a degree and graduated from the Bureau of Business Practice, Waterford, Connecticut.

Lonie married the love of her life, Barry Thresher, on August 15, 1970, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Schofield, and remained with Barry until he passed away on March 15, 2015.

Lonie worked at Smith Barney in Rhinelander as a financial secretary for many years until her retirement. When she was not working she enjoyed several different activities. She was an avid reader, loved classic horror movies from the 1940’s and 50’s and loved music. Lonie played clarinet and keyboard and loved to sing. She sang at many weddings and funerals, was in her church choir and until she could no longer, was a member of the Birchwood Highlands Chorus. One of her other passions was astronomy, and she had her own telescope to stargaze with. In addition, Lonie loved teaching Sunday School to the children and did so for 32 years between Peace United Church of Christ in Schofield, Zion Evangelical Church in Rhinelander, and St. Peter Evangelical in Schofield.

LeiLonie is preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Violet Woodward, her sisters Beverly (Corazalla) Steg, Geraldine (Woodward) Paszek, brother Earl Corazalla, infant brother Ray Woodward, her husband Barry Thresher, nephew Ivan Corazalla, cousins Tina Woodman and Sandra “Toots” Ryan, and special nephew Danny Steg.

Lonie is survived by nieces Debbie Stough of Boulder Junction, WI and Julie Steg of Wausau, WI, great niece Jennifer Stough of Woodruff, WI, great great nephew Zachary Stough of Duluth, MN, and great great niece Samantha Eldridge of Woodruff, WI. She is also survived by niece in-law Tammy Steg of Woodruff, WI, sister in-law Jeanine Preboski of Spring Valley, AK, goddaughter Rev. Rebecca Immich of St. Paul, MN, and godson Joshua Preboski of Pierre, SD, along with nephew in-law Darwin Kufhal.

Lonie is further survived by her very special friends Marilyn Schoenick, Rita Webster, Sally Scheel, and Jim and Laura Skubal all of Rhinelander, WI. As well as Susan Immich of Plymouth, WI, and Marie Doepke of Weston, WI.

The family wishes to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to the staff of Seasons of Life for the wonderful care they gave to Lonie in her last days with us. The care and compassion that was shown will never be forgotten.

Services for Lonie will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wausau Campus, 2822 N 6th St, Wausau, WI 54403. With visitation from 9:30AM-11:00AM, and service beginning at 11:00AM. Burial will follow at 1:30PM at Pine Grove Cemetery. Brainard Funeral Home will be assisting the family.