Doris Mae Brandl, age 88, a resident of Cato, entered eternal life with her family by her side on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at her residence.
Doris was born on December 21, 1931 in Cato to the late Gerhard and Elfreida (Fisher) Sickinger. She was a lifetime farmer. Doris and her family farm, Brandland Farms, were awarded the Century 100 Award recognizing farms in Wisconsin that remained in the same family for 100 years. On May 21, 1949, Doris married Harold Brandl at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Whitelaw. He preceded her in death on February 18, 1985. Doris was on the Board of Directors for Business and Professional Women of Wisconsin, Park Lawn Nursing Home, Manitowoc County Health Care Center, Wisconsin for Women Agriculture, and Manitowoc County Expo Center. Doris played significant roles and even went to Washington D.C. to lobby for benefits for farmers and women in agriculture. Her lobbying efforts led to a law that was passed which eliminated inheritance tax for Wisconsin farm wives. Later on, Doris was on the Board of Directors for the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin, where she was awarded a lifetime achievement award for her efforts in organizing horse events. She had an extreme love and passion for horses. Doris owned and operated DeEquus Stable where she passed on her love of horses to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She headed the Horse-A-Rama in Manitowoc for over 10 years. Doris was a 4H Leader for over 40 years.
Survivors include Doris’ seven children, Jeannie Baghdadi, Glenn (Barb) Brandl, Linda Brandl, Russell (Catherine Best) Brandl, Verlin Brandl, Karen (Fonzie Del Rio) Brandl, and Sheri (Mark Bodnar) Brandl; 11 grandchildren, Kori (Jeff Jansen) Brandl, Shannon (Jordan) Janis, Justin Brandl, Karen Baghdadi, Russell Baghdadi, Michalah Baghdadi, Bryce Baghdadi, Jessi (Shane) Renzelman, Luke Brandl, Noah Brandl, and Hadley Mae Novak; nine great grandchildren, Kendra Brandl, Johanna Janis, Liam Jansen, Ivy Jansen, Cale, Cadon, Corben, Cylvin and Cwyn Renzelman; brother, Ronald (Carol) Sickinger; three sisters, Joan (Bob) Waier, Charlotte Mezera, and Phyllis (Gary Smith) McCanna; also other relatives and friends. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Gerhard and Elfreida Sickinger; husband, Harold; son, Leon Brandl; brother, Jerome Sickinger; and grandson, Robin Brandl.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home with Rev. Pastor Al Raedel officiating. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel with burial of Doris’ cremated remains to be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarks Mills at a later date. Following the memorial service, a luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Friday, January 17, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The visitation will continue at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Doris’ name.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
