Lilas Brandt

Lilas Albert Brandt age 92, died Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Ripon Medical Center with his family by his side.

Lilas was born November 18, 1926 in the Town of Rib Falls to the late Bernard and Emma (Huehnerfuss) Brandt.  He met Eileen Utecht 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. Lilas also worked at Silcrest and Schuette’s Warehouse.  Lilas and Eileen lived on the family farm at North 88th Avenue for 35 years and then moved into the City of Wausau.  The couple celebrated 58 wonderful and loving years of marriage on their last anniversary before Eileen’s passing.  Lilas enjoyed doing woodworking projects for the Talent Shop, helping family and friends with butchering, and cooking maple syrup with his sons and grandchildren.  He was an avid Brewers and Packers fan and enjoyed fishing.  Lilas was a wonderful father and grandfather. He enjoyed family celebrations and visiting with family and friends.

Lilas is survived by his sisters, Sylvaline Pickruhn, Athens and Pearl Sekorski, Wausau; sister-in-law Elaine Utecht, Green Bay; and children, Mark and Jane (Gust), Dan and Lori (Pagel), Keith and Laura (Smith), Debra Raether, Thomas and Richelle (Chaignot), Jane and Matt Lueptow, Donna Goeden, Amy and Rich Metzner, and Scott and Gloria Gutknecht. He is also survived by 28 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren whom he loved very much; and many extended family and dear friends. Lilas was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen; his daughter, Ruth and son-in-law Gary Hemmrich; his brothers and their wives, Lewellyn (Mabel) Brandt, Lawrence (Anita) Brandt, Levi (Ethel) Brandt, Marvin Brandt, Milton (Arlene) Brandt, Ervin (Helen) Brandt, and Walter (Marion) Brandt; his sister and her husband Clarice (Harold) Kopplin; his brother-in-laws Harley Pickruhn and John Sekorski; as well as his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Harold and June Utecht; and his brother-in-law Donald Utecht.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1008 No 120th Ave, Town of Stettin. Reverend Phil Bogen will be officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce Street, Wausau, and Thursday at the church beginning at 9:30 AM until the time of services. Burial will be in the Stettin Christian Cemetery. Please sign the family guestbook at helke.com.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt word of thanks to the staff and residents at Maplecrest Assisted Living for their care and friendship to Lilas during his time there.