Grace T. Brandl, age 95, a resident of Manitowoc, died Friday, December 11th 2020 at Felician Village in Manitowoc.
Grace was born on March 3rd 1925, in Manitowoc, daughter of the late Paul and Clara (Dirkman) Holschbach. Grace was a graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School, class of 1943. On November 3rd 1945, she married Arnold J. Brandl at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Manitowoc. He preceded her in death on October 29th 1989.
Grace was employed with the Manitowoc County Social Services and the Catholic Apostolic for many years. She was the Emergency Management Director of Manitowoc County for 15 years and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Civil Defense and Disaster Association. She served on the Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Commission. She was the manager of St. Paul Parish/Holy Family Credit Union. After her retirement, she co-owned and operated the Gift Shop at the Holiday Inn, Manitowoc. Grace volunteered her time as a teacher’s aide in the Manitowoc Parochial Grade School System. She also volunteered for many years at Felician Village and received from them a volunteer award which she was very proud to accept. Grace was a past member of the Holy Family Hospital Guild, St. Paul Parish Council, St. Clare Society, Catholic Women’s Club and served as lecture and Eucharistic Minister at the St. Francis of Assisi Parishes.
Grace loved watching the Packers and Badgers, and playing sheepshead. She loved “Happy Hour”, no matter where or when it was. When the party got going, sometimes she’d entertain with her accordion. Her life centered around her immediate and extended family, and God. She loved life and got everything out of it that she possible could. She lived a loving and spiritual life and everyone who knew her learned valuable lessons from her, especially the value of hard work, a positive attitude, prayer, and having fun.
Grace is survived by five children: Joy Bole and special friend, Bob Prest, Janice and Al Brunner, Greg Brandl, Philip and Marcia Brandl, Steven and special friend Laurie Howard, and nine grandchildren: Shane and Laura Brunner, Corey and Tina Brunner, Melissa and Mike Finnel, Sarah and Travis Deathrage, Nathan Bole, Alison and Chad Person, Brad and Jordan Brandl, Kate and Jonathan Stepp, and David Brandl. She is also survived by 14 great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Dorothy Holschbach, and many treasured nieces and nephews.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Clara Holschbach, her husband Arnold Brandl, two sisters and a spouse, Bernice and Donald Barta, Eunice Mella, six brother and four spouses, Jerome Holschbach, Harvey and Corrine Holschbach, Donald and Delores Holschbach, Paul and Rose Holschbach, Marvin and Pat Holschbach and Vernon Holschbach. She was further preceded in death by her special friend Frank Bremser.
The family would like to thank the staff at Felician Village and caregivers at the Villa for the care and concern they provided to our mother. A special thank you to Shanna Kubsch, RN, at Felician Village who was our lifeline thoughout the COVID restrictions. A loving thank you to Tim Reinemann, Quality of Life Supervisor at Felician Village, who was our mother’s sunshine while she was living at the Villa. A heartfelt thank you to our mother’s goddaughter, Mary Schleis, and niece, Linda Brandl, who offered their support, assistance and care to our mom. And a prayerful thank you to the Home Care Health Services and Hospice who provided loving care and who were always there when we needed them.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of Grace’s life will be held at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.pfefferfuneralhome.com
The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
