Eileen Brandt

Eileen Helen Brandt, 75, Wausau, died Sunday, May 8, 2011 at Marywood Convalescent Center.

Eileen was born June 2, 1935 in the Town of Stettin to the late Norman and Esther (Zahn) Utecht. She met Lilas Brandt at a friend's birthday party and the two were united in marriage on September 13, 1952 at Saint Paul's United Church of Christ, Wausau. The couple worked together on the family farm, raising their ten children and teaching them a strong work ethic and many life lessons. As the children grew, Eileen began working outside the home in the ginseng farms with her daughters and granddaughters and later cooking for Wausau Manor and the Courtyard Marriot. Eileen and Lilas lived on the family farm at North 88th Ave for 35 years and then moved in to the city of Wausau. The couple celebrated 58 wonderful and loving years of marriage on their last anniversary.

Eileen was a wonderful mother to her children and delighted when grandchildren and later, great-grandchildren would visit. She was a wonderful cook and baker and no one ever left the home hungry. Eileen enjoyed tending to her plants inside, as well as out in her garden, growing many beautiful flowers. In her free time, she liked to play cards and listen to polka music.

Eileen is survived by her beloved husband, Lilas Brandt; brother, Donald (Elaine) Utecht of Green Bay; and children, Ruth Hemmrich, Mark and Jane (Gust), Dan and Lori (Pagel), Keith and Laura (Smith), Debra Raether, Thomas and Richelle (Chaignot), Jane and Matt Lueptow, Donna and Steve Goeden, Amy and Rich Metzner and Scott and Gloria (Gutknecht); and sister-in-law, June Utecht. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren whom she loved very much; and many extended family and dear friends. Eileen is preceded in death by her brother, Harold Utecht and son-in-law, Gary Hemmrich.

Funeral services will be 5:00 PM on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Stettin. Reverend Phil Bogen will be officiating. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM on Thursday at the church and last until services. There will be a private family burial at a later date in the Stettin Christian Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt word of thanks to the nurses and staff of the Marywood Convalescent Center for their compassionate care of Eileen. Also, a special thank you to Pastor Phil whose spiritual guidance and faith provided strength to Eileen and the family during her final days.