Exhibit 99.1


                        WAUSAU PAPER COMPLETES PURCHASE
                               OF MISSOTA PAPER



MOSINEE, WIS...OCT. 21, 2004...Wausau Paper (NYSE:WPP) announced
today that it has completed the purchase of the assets of Missota Paper
Company, LLC, a specialty manufacturer of high-quality uncoated freesheet
paper, for $9.6 million.  The assets will become part of the company's Printing
& Writing business segment.

The acquisition includes Missota's facility in Brainerd, Minn.  The Brainerd
mill contains two paper machines and finishing equipment capable of producing
approximately 170,000 tons per year of uncoated freesheet paper.  Wausau Paper
is targeting a mid-November start-up of the mill's largest paper machine,
capable of producing up to 90,000 tons per year of premium printing and writing
paper.  No timetable has been established for the start-up of Brainerd's second
paper machine.

"We are committed to putting Wausau Paper on a growth track and will continue
to target higher-margin niche and emerging markets," said Thomas J. Howatt,
president and CEO.  "The Brainerd acquisition is consistent with that strategy,
bringing with it the capability and scale to expand our sales of higher-margin
premium printing and writing papers."

Wausau Paper produces fine printing and writing papers, technical specialty
papers, and "away-from-home" towel and tissue products.

SAFE HARBOR UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:  The
matters discussed in this news release concerning the Company's future
performance or anticipated financial results are forward-looking statements and
are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Reform Act of
1995.  Such statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results
to differ materially from those set forth in these statements.  Among other
things, these risks and uncertainties include the strength of the economy and
demand for paper products, increases in raw material and energy prices,
manufacturing problems at Company facilities, and other risks and assumptions
described in Item 1 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2003.  The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-
looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.