Leonard "Bud" Englert Sr.

Leonard “Bud” C. Englert, Sr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on April 13, 2021. He was born on January 25, 1926, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Elsie (Goetzke) and Leonard C. Englert.

Bud graduated in early 1944 from Wausau High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps before graduation and left for basic training in January, 1944. He served in the South Pacific. After the Japanese surrender, Bud spent thirteen months as part of the occupational forces in Sasebo, Japan. He served in the Marine Reserve beginning in 1946 until he was called back to active duty for the Korean War in 1951. He completed his military service in March, 1953.

On June 17, 1950, Bud married the love of his life, Evelyn Joyce La Vick, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wausau. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2020. Bud and Joyce are the proud parents of Lenny, Anne, John, and Tom.

Bud became the manager and eventually the owner of the Modern Shoe Repair from 1947 to 1962 and finished his working career as a proud employee of the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation retiring in 1991.

Dad lived his life centered around his love for our dear Lord, his family and the United States Marine Corps. He was an eternal optimist. No matter how many challenges life sent his way, he always looked at the bright side of things.

He loved military history, books, and trains. He was an expert military collector and dealer. He spent hours researching at the Marathon County Library. He authored a number of articles for both military publications as well as beer stein collector’s journals.

Bud and Joyce explored the world for pleasure and to further his love for military history. Their favorite destination was Europe. Dad’s passion was the French Foreign Legion. The highlight of all his travels was a personal invitation by the commandant, to tour the Legion base in Aubagne, France.

Dad’s sense of humor was second to none. He had that twinkle in his eye and was always quick to tease or tell a joke. His compassion towards people and animals defined who he really was.

Dad served as a Boy Scout leader, sharing his love of nature and his knowledge of wilderness survival, camping, and outdoor cooking with dozens of young men over the years.

He was the heartbeat of our family whose constant smile cheered everyone that met him. He knew no strangers. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him but, we are so grateful that his suffering is now over and he can enjoy his reward for a life well lived.

Dad’s motto was the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fi which means “always faithful”. That applied not only to the Marine Corps, but to God, his wife, his family and his many cherished friends.

Bud is survived by his loving wife and soulmate Evelyn Joyce; his son, Len Englert (Mary) of Wisconsin Rapids, daughter, Anne Jones (Tom) of Wausau, son, John Englert (Lisa) of Missoula, MT, and son Tom Englert (Pam) of Weston. His is further survived by his grandchildren, Katie Jones, Ben Jones (Emily), Christina Laduron (Chris), Jenny Englert, Ryan Englert, and Bailey Roslawski and great grandchildren, Caleb Fallon, Layla Laduron, Evan Laduron, and Evan Jones.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister, Dode Waters; his in-laws, Charles and Anna La Vick; and brothers-in-law, Kermit and Chuck La Vick.

Services for Leonard (Bud) Englert Sr. will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at The Church of the Resurrection, in Wausau. The Reverend Joseph Richard will preside. Visitation will begin at the church at 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11:30 am. Facemasks and social distancing will be observed for the visitation and funeral mass at church.  The funeral service will be livestreamed beginning at 11:30 am at brainardfuneral.com on Bud’s obituary page.  Burial will take place with full military honors in St. Joseph Cemetery in Wausau.  Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at brainardfuneral.com.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff of Interim Healthcare of Wausau for the loving care given to Bud. Our family would like to express our appreciation to Tim Moe, Shannon Gore, Roseanne Keen and Jen West of Interim Health. We’d also like to thank Jeanette and the staff at TLC Healthcare for the love and kindness given to our husband, dad, uncle, grandpa, and great grandpa.

Although we are saddened that he is gone we are so very thankful for what he has left behind.

“To live in the hearts of those who loved you, is to never die”