WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — A member of the Wausau media passed away over the weekend.
WAOW TV morning anchor Neena Pacholke died unexpectedly on Saturday.
Management at WAOW released the following statement on Sunday night: “the entire team at News 9 are devastated by the loss as we know so many others are as well. Neena loved this community and the people who lived here. She was a kind person with a big heart and a contagious smile and we will miss her greatly.”
Pacholke joined the WAOW team in the spring of 2017 after graduating from the University of South Florida, where she played basketball for three years while majoring in journalism with a leadership studies minor. She began as a reporter and quickly became a staple of the Wausau community, telling a wide range of stories both on the day and night beats.
She eventually worked her way into a fill-in anchoring role and in February 2019 was named co-anchor of Wake Up Wisconsin, WAOW’s morning program. In April of 2021 she announced she had signed a contract extension with WAOW, saying she would be “here to stay.”
Signed, sealed, & its official, I’m here to stay
It has been such a joy getting to be a part of this community by starting every weekday morning with you, interacting on social media & meeting you out in public! Let’s keep the fun going
@WAOW pic.twitter.com/5mm4e4dvNW
— Neena Pacholke (@neenapacholketv) April 9, 2021
WAOW TV announced her passing during Sunday’s 10 PM newscast. Funeral arrangements are pending.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please utilize the numerous resources that are available in Central Wisconsin. WAOW TV has compiled a list of those here.
WAOW TV is a news and weather partner of WSAU Radio, and we send our deepest condolences and prayers to the WAOW TV family along with the Pacholke family.
