Brian David Thomsen, 64, of Valders died unexpectedly on March 24, 2024, at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, surrounded by his family.
The funeral will be on April 6 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Valders, with the Rev. Dan Lyman officiating, with burial to follow at Valders West Cemetery.
Friends and family may call at the church from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 5 and again on April 6 from 9 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow in the church’s fellowship hall.
Brian was born on Aug. 20, 1959, in Manitowoc, son of Marlene Brockman Thomsen and the late Glenn Thomsen.
He attended Valders schools, graduating in 1977 from Valders High School. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1981.
Brian grew up helping his grandparents, Fred and Marion Brockman, publishers of the Valders Journal, contributing as a reporter and photographer during high school and college. He assumed the role of editor soon after graduation and eventually became co-owner and publisher, succeeding his grandparents, who founded the newspaper in 1940.
He took great pride in his work with the family business, including job printing, and was meticulous about details and accuracy. He was particularly passionate about photography and sports writing. He won many awards from both the Wisconsin and National newspaper associations for his writing, photography and other journalistic skills.
As dedicated as he was to his business, devoting countless hours each week to cover events and produce the newspaper, Brian was more passionate about his family and took great pride in his children’s accomplishments.
As busy as he was, he tried to attend every athletic, Scouting and other event in which his kids participated.
He was a quiet man of integrity and dry humor that dearly loved the community in which he has always lived, and it showed in his work.
On April 17, 1999, Brian married Mary Dunnington at St. Gregory Catholic Church in St. Nazianz. They worked together for the rest of his life, producing the Valders Journal.
He was a lifelong member of Faith Lutheran Church in Valders, where he did ushering, greeting and formerly played in the brass band. He also was a member and former longtime treasurer of the Valders Lions Club and longtime member and former president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
In the past, he was a board member for the American Red Cross and a member of the Valders Jaycees.
He loved the University of Wisconsin Marching Band and attending the varsity band concerts each spring. Brian also enjoyed Big Band music, golfing and World War II history. To wind down from his busy schedule, you could find him watching sports or “Everybody Loves Raymond” or playing “Iron Force” on his iPad.
He was also a Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fan, and was the biggest fan of all Valders High School sports, which he expertly covered and photographed throughout his career.
Brian is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Mary, of Valders; his children, Eric Thomsen of Manitowoc and his girlfriend, Beth Liermann, and Katherine Thomsen of Valders and her boyfriend, Zach Snow; his mother, Marlene Thomsen of Valders; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jon and Debbie Thomsen of Germantown and Bruce and Bernadette Thomsen of Sun Prairie.
He is further survived by two special nieces, Hannah Schalla and her husband, Michael, and their daughter, Charlie Ann, and Isabelle Thomsen and her boyfriend, Taylor Ripplinger; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debbie and Brad Aumann; and three brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dennis and Pam Dunnington, Doug and Carrie Dunnington and Jim and Rae Jean Dunnington.
Other survivors include two “bonus children,” Madison Scharenbroch and Colton Harrington, and several more nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn Thomsen; and his grandparents, Fred and Marion Brockman and Peter and Helen Thomsen.
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes–Christianson & Deja location–is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
Memorials may be made toward a future scholarship in Brian’s name or to Faith Lutheran Church, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation or the Valders Lions.
The family appreciates the Valders Ambulance Service and Aurora BayCare Medical Center, especially the ICU nurses who cared for him so compassionately.
