John Brandt
Jack was a lifelong resident of Juneau County, born to Charlie and Kitty (Dockstader) Brandt on April 11, 1939, in the township of Summit at the family farm.
He attended Mauston schools, farmed briefly, then started working in construction. He was a proud member of Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Local 599 of Milwaukee for over 40 years. During his last 29 years, he traveled the Midwest working for James Cape & Sons.
On August 5, 1961, he married Jerilyn (McClurg) Brandt. On a farmette outside of Mauston, they spent the next 20-plus years raising a few colts, breaking a few horses, and growing cows, pigs, chickens, puppies, and their 2 children. While the marriage ended, they remained friends through cards and phone calls.
In December 1990 Jack married Charmaine (Sherry) Popelier. They resided in Mauston with their beloved dogs Sam, Dusty, and Bear. They enjoyed traveling, home projects, neighbors’ visits, and family time.
Jack spent much of his retirement entertaining and being entertained by his 5 grandsons. He never missed a birthday. He shared with them a love of the outdoors. When he wasn’t outdoors, he was reading and sharing stories about safaris, hunting, and bear attacks. He later gifted them with his collector books. While he was able, he poured his energy into the restoration of outbuildings and other projects at his daughter and son-in-law’s century farm outside of Loganville.
Last, but not least to mention were the deer camp memories shared with Alden, Dan, Eddie, and others at the Bacon and Eggs café off Fessey Road. You could call your buck from there.
The latter half of Jack’s life was lived in sobriety and he didn’t waste any of the remaining time he was given. He made a promise his grandsons would only know him sober; it was a promise he kept. He lived a life of quiet gratitude and thankfulness to God.
Jack was preceded in death by his brother Charles (Buddy) age 3, parents Kitty and Charlie Brandt of Mauston, sister Marion (Russell) Buelow of Union Center, sister Mildred and brother-in-law Cyril Laridaen of Mauston, brother Carl and sister-in-law Vivian Brandt of Eagle River and the recent passing of his wife Charmaine.
He is survived by his son Todd Brandt, granddaughter Amara Brandt and her 3 children, of Mauston, Charmaine’s sons Fred Lassonde of Mauston and Shawn Frahm of Madison, daughter Tammy (Bradley) Schreiner of Reedsburg, and grandsons Jake, Nick, Joe, Sam, and Nate Schreiner of Loganville, Augusta, GA, Milwaukee, and Reedsburg. He is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, and his brother-in-law Russell Buelow.
A graveside ceremony is tentatively planned for April 11, 2024, at 1100 with a luncheon to follow. Roseberry Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.