Grief Education through Wings: Wings offers a variety of grief education opportunities. Nan is a Certified Grief Educator through the Center for Loss and Life Transition, Dr. Alan Wolfelt. Nan is a survivor of 7 sudden deaths in her family and a history of coping with complicated grief experiences that span 5 decades. Wings programs offer insight of how one grieves physically, emotionally, cognitively ,and spiritually as well as providing emotional support that extends beyond the textbook through personal life experiences. Each SERIES or SINGLE SESSION program is designed with a theme, content, and focus for the participants. Each program has a set begin and end date. The program is a facilitated, certified instructor-led group . The goal is to help bereaved understand the process of grief and teaches them how to deal with the challenges. Personal connections and bonds often develop during the series and continue . Wings offers in-person and virtual (ZOOMGRIEF) programs. Nan and her husband, Gary, began these programs in 1993 as professional volunteers offering a Ministry of Hope. Programs are generally free of charge unless noted. Tax deductible, charitable donations are appreciated to support this ministry.
Registration Forms Below for Current Classes—
ZOOMGRIEF and In-Person
not in any particular order. Scan through the list.
Note: All in-person groups are held at
The Landing, Wausau, WI YMCA-707 3rd Street
All groups are open to YMCA members and non-members.
Free of Charge (unless otherwise noted).
Refer to the Program Descriptions at the bottom of this page. Check back frequently as we add new classes and programs periodically.
New Program
The Grief Slump
NEW single session program
In-Person: August 18: The Landing, Wausau
3:30—4:30 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom): August 20
6:00-7:00 p.m. CST
Are you feeling lazy or do you have that “Blah” feeling that just doesn’t go away? You might be in a “grief slump”. This is a period of unexpected fatigue and physical exhaustion following significant loss. You may feel overwhelmed by the energy required to grieve. Sometimes our best intentions for getting through grief don’t go as expected. It doesn’t help when society expects us to move on. It’s natural to feel sadness and resistance around anniversary dates, holidays, as well as any other day when your energy and desire fade. This may cause you to question if you are stuck. You are not stuck. You are adjusting to irrevocable life changes. In this program, learn how the slump may affect you and how to manage it with a new perspective. Nothing can change the reality of loss but there are ways to make it tolerable. Even making one small change can bring you one step closer to getting out of your slump and healing your grief.
New Program
Don’t Let Grief Have the Last Word
2026 This is a 5-week series.
In-Person: Sept 22, 29 and Oct6, 13, 22 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Virtual: Sept 24, and Oct. 1,8,15,22 6:00 p.m.CST
Grief reshapes everything: how you see yourself, how you move through the world, and what you believe is possible for your future. It changes your perspective in ways no one fully prepares you for. The shadow of loss can feel overwhelming, yet within that pain lives a quiet truth—your grief is yours alone, and no one can grieve it for you. Understanding what grief does to your life is the first step toward reclaiming it. This series is for anyone touched by loss, whether it happened recently or long ago. It’s about finding a way forward. Together we explore grief strategies for coping in your daily life. This will help you recognize personal strength that emerges when you face it honestly. You life may not be the same life as before, but it can be filled with renewed purpose and resilience that give you the power to live again.
I Shouda, Coulda, Woulda…but I Didn’t
This is a single session program
In person- The Landing (Wausau-YMCA)
Tuesday,Nov. 17, 2026 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Virtual—Zoom-
Thursday , Nov. 19, 2026 | 6:00—7:00 p.m. CST
Gently caring for the What-if’s in grief’
After someone we love dies, it is natural for our minds to return to moments we wish had been different. Thoughts such as “If only I had…” or “I wish I would have…” can bring sadness, guilt, or regret, even when we were doing the best we could at the time. This gentle, supportive session offers a safe place to understand these common feelings without judgment. Together, we will
explore ways to soften self-blame, practice self-compassion, make peace with
what cannot be changed, and remember the love, care, and meaningful choices
that were present along the way.
New Program
How to Become a
Dream Catcher-after loss
Zoom-Virtual
PRESENTATION- Dream Catcher
Thursday, Dec. 10, 2026
6:00—7:00 p.m.
New this season… This program will also be offered as Social Event
To register for the Social Event on Saturday, Dec. 5th, please use the section below this one. See the details abaout the Event on the Flyer on the Wings Home Page.
ZOOM-VIRTUAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Join us for a program designed to help individuals and families navigate the emotional complexities of the holidays after the loss of a loved one. Through personal insight and practical strategies, we will introduce the idea of becoming a Dream Catcher—someone who intentionally shapes holiday experiences to reduce stress, honor memories, and create meaningful traditions. The program will focus on three gentle but important parts of reimagining holidays that feel manageable and meaningful: making choices about which events` and traditions to keep or change, allowing for joint communication to share needs, hopes, and limits. This also shows that compromise may be necessary. Grief often changes “the way it was,” but it can also invite families to thoughtfully redesign favorite traditions so they better meet current needs. This program affirms that while the holidays may never feel exactly the same, it is possible to move forward with intention—honoring the past while creating space for comfort, new ideas, and even moments of joy.
Social Event
When The Holidays Hurt
In-Person SOCIAL EVENT
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026
1:00—3:30 p.m.
No Charge. Free Will Donation.
Location: St. Marks Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
300 Stevens Drive, Wausau, WI (near Wausau West High School)
Please RSVP (register) to help us plan seating and refreshments.
A SOCIAL GATHERING for those Grieving During the Holiday Season
Holidays after loss of a loved one can be incredibly tender and challenging. You may feel intense grief triggered by memories of the way it was. We warmly invite you to join us for our When the Holidays Hurt casual, social gathering.
AGENDA
• Presentation: How to Become a Dream Catcher (strategies for planning, coping, and managing expectations
• Bingo (entertainment)
• Memorial Candle Lighting Ritual
Come as you are. No pressure to speak. No cost to attend. Free will donation accepted.