Jerry Brandt
Jerry Brandt, 69, a beloved husband, father, brother and friend passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 after a long and challenging battle with cancer. Jerry was born on March 13, 1955, to Mary and Mervin Brandt. He died at the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, supported by his wife of 38 years, Susan (Hamler) Brandt and daughter, Allison.
Jerry’s childhood was spent in Pewaukee WI where he attended St Mary’s Elementary. After graduating from St. Bonaventure’s High School in Sturtevant WI in 1973, he used his baseball scholarship to attend Cal Poly Tech in San Luis Obispo, CA. Jerry’s love of sports, especially baseball, bowling and golf persisted throughout his life. A fan of all sports, Jerry maintained a subscription to Sports Illustrated since grade school. His other passion was music and he maintained a vast collection of just about every musical genre and enjoyed sharing his favorites with others.
Jerry had a talent and personality that provided him with sales and marketing positions for hotels, resorts, and golf clubs throughout the Midwest making it possible to combine business and pleasure. He believed in giving and was most proud of raising significant funds for non-profits such as Toys for Tots ($70,000) and Breast Cancer Research ($50,000).
Jerry was a dedicated member of AA and always credited it with saving his life. He recently celebrated 14 years of sobriety. He valued the lessons on one day at a time, do onto others as you would want done onto you and don’t take anything for granted. They were more than cliches to Jerry – they were his guideposts for life.
The family would like to especially thank the SSM Cancer Center and the Hospice Home of Hope for their care. The nurses at the Cancer Center loved talking sports with him. The hospice nurses were kind and provided such gentle care. Also thanks to Father Ryan and Father Kevin for their comforting visits.
He is survived by wife Susan, daughter Allison, brothers Dennis, Francis (Mary Ann), Paul, Joseph (Ginny Manning) and sisters, Genevieve Kirchman, Mary Beth (Meng Kong Tham) Brandt and Philomena Sucharda and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Peter.
A Celebration of Life for Jerry will be held on Sunday, June 30 at Naga-Waukee Park, Picnic Area #2, Delafield, WI from 1:00 to 4:00 pm with a program at 2:00 pm. In appreciation of Jerry’s passion for sports, people are encouraged to wear their favorite sports gear.
Donations in Jerry’s memory can be made to the Salvation Army of Fond du Lac https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/fonddulac/ or the Gratitude Club Fund https://gratitudeclub.net/.
“What we once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” Helen Keller