Edward John Brenner, age 84 of Hudson, WI, formerly of Maiden Rock, WI, passed away on October 23, 2018 of congestive heart failure at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, MN. Edward was born on December 2, 1933 in Salem Township, WI to William and Florence (Johnson) Brenner. Ed was united in marriage on October 10, 1959 to Loretta Marion Kvapil. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Rebecca, Jeffrey, Brenda, and Steven. Ed spent his entire life on the family farm until a move to Hudson, WI one year ago.
Ed was a lifelong farmer and worked for 30 years at the Pierce County Highway Department. After retirement in 1995, he was free to pursue full time his love of logging, running his sawmill, and tending to a herd of beef cows.
Ever the resourceful, energetic farmer, he felled the oak trees, cut the lumber, and with his brother Jim, built his new home in 1980.
Late in life, he connected with his passion for the Hawaiian lap steel guitar and worked on teaching himself to play.
Ed took pride in his family, was kind to everyone he met, and was never happier than when he was working up a sweat in the sunshine on the farm.
Ed is survived by his wife of 59 years, Loretta; children, Rebecca “Becky” Brenner (Steve VanAllen), Jeffrey Brenner, Brenda (Nick) Schiefelbein, and Steven Brenner (Kristin Hauschildt); six grandchildren: Jesse, Rachel, Christina, Noah, Justin, and Sarah; one sister, Shirley Bishop of Prescott; brothers-in-law, Leo and Gary Kvapil of River Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, LeRoy and Jim Brenner; and sister Virgie Donnelly.
A Visitation will take place 2:00 – 4:00 PM Sunday, October 28, 2018 at the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 130 N. Grant St., Ellsworth, and one hour prior to the Mass at church on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 12:00 Noon Monday, October 29, 2018 at St. Francis Catholic Church, 264 S. Grant St., Ellsworth, with Fr. Eric Dadson officiating. Interment will take place at the Clayfield Catholic Cemetery in Hartland Township. In memory of Edward, memorials are preferred to St. Francis Catholic Church.
