Emogene Brandau, 88, of Onalaska, Wis., and formerly of Wilton died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
She was born Oct. 18, 1921, to Ernest and Pansy May (Worthington) DeWitt in the town of Forest, Vernon County. She graduated from Wilton High School in 1939. She worked at the Wilton Public Library and at the Heilmans and Polstin grocery stores in Wilton. She was united in marriage to H.R. “Dick” Brandau on June 18, 1941, in Janesville. He preceded her in death Oct. 30, 1995.
Emogene was a faithful member of St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and a member of the ladies aid. She was a very caring woman who was a foster mother to many; her home was open to everyone, and she never turned anyone away. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially spending her time camping and snowmobiling. Her leisure time was spent knitting.
She is survived by three sons, Richard (Carol) of Holmen, Wis., David (Cathy) of Wilton and Paul (Kristi) of Sparta; a daughter, Mary Ellen of Arcadia, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Sara, Emily (Brode) Mashak and children Haley, Ricki, Camryn and Rudolph, Chad (Patty) and children Chase, Clint (Hanna) and Chance, Cade (Heather) and children Brianna, Mayzee and Dakota, Kacy (Phil Schulz) and children Haydn and Hadly, Kory (Aaron) Lueck, and Katy (Scott Brown); a sister, Irene Timmerman of Viroqua; two sisters-in-law, Ella Mae Brandau of Onalaska and Peg Brandau of Tomah; a special family friend, Verdell (Mary) Beier of Tennessee; her step family; and many other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew; a sister, Leona; four brothers, William, Otis, Glen and James; six brothers-in-law, Otto, Harvey and Carl Brandau, George Rynes, Delbert Timmerman and Mahnard Buchholz; and three sisters-in-law, Edna Buchholz, Doris DeWitt and Hazel DeWitt-Marshall.
A graveside service will be at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery, South Ridge.
Following the graveside service, a memorial service will be at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge. Pastor Fred Fedke will officiate.
Relatives and friends are invited to call one hour prior to services Sunday at the church.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
The family requests that memorials be given in Emogene’s name to South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery or St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
