Obituary: Kenneth E. Brochtrup

Kenneth E. Brochtrup, age 92, of Reedsville, passed away Wednesday afternoon, June 11, 2025 doing what he enjoyed, working in his yard. 

Ken was born on January 17, 1933 in Forest Junction, son of the late Edwin and Leona (Carney) Brochtrup. He was a graduate of Brillion High School with the class of 1950. Ken began working at Brillion Iron Works on July 21, 1950 and retired after 48 years in 1998. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest working employee ever at Brillion Iron Works. Ken also served in the United States Army from 1953-1955. On October 20, 1955 he married the former Bernice Schuh at St. Mary Catholic Church in Reedsville. 

Ken was a member of the Reedsville Volunteer Fire Department for 32 years and also a member of the Reedsville American Legion Gosz-Novak Post 199. He enjoyed his gardening, feeding the birds and yard work around his house. Ken liked to watch Packer, Bucks, and Brewers, and University of Wisconsin football and basketball as well as follow the high school sports teams. Ken helped his children deliver the Green Bay Press Gazette for 25 years. He read the newspaper every day and enjoyed reading while he exercised on his stationary bike at home. Ken enjoyed decorating his house and yard with thousands of Christmas lights every year.  He had a sharp memory, was witty, had a great sense of humor, always had a smile on his face and loved teasing his wife of 69 years, Bernice. Above all else, Ken loved spending time with his family. 

Survivors include his wife: Bernice Brochtrup, Reedsville; their children: Linda (Robert) Beyer, Reedsville, Jeffrey (Barbara) Brochtrup, Madison, Barbara (William) Lorrigan, Reedsville, Gary (Nancy) Brochtrup, Reedsville, Kathryn (Christopher) Audino, Sheboygan Falls, Mary (Bernard Wotachek) Gilsdorf, Reedsville, Jay (Natalie) Brochtrup, Cedar Grove, Tammie (Charles) Warzecha, Portage, Mark (Elaine) Brochtrup, Appleton, Scott (Geneva) Brochtrup, Sullivan, Craig (Jessica) Brochtrup, St. Charles, IL; 38 grandchildren: Jason (Vicki) Beyer, Dillon (Karley) Beyer, Nathan (Ashley) Beyer, Eleanor (Tim) Kachel, David (Allison) Brochtrup, Colin (Kelly Carr) Brochtrup, Andrew Brochtrup, Jacob Brochtrup, Jessica (Curtis) Schoonover, Ryan (Kristel) Lorrigan, Bridgette (Jesse) Schuh, Stephanie (Alex) Nelson, Stacey Brochtrup, Jennifer (Austin) Anderson, Jamie (Eric) Fuhrmann, Samantha Audino, Michaela (Chad) Dove, Danielle (Deven) Krepline, Michael (Carlee) Gilsdorf, Brock (Kaitlin) Gilsdorf, Erin (Don) Rabitz, Brandon (Michelle) Wotachek, Justin (Katie) Wotachek, Brent (Molly) Brochtrup, Kelly (Spencer) Starks, Ethan (fiancée Alexandrea Weiland) Brochtrup, Evan (fiancée Mysia Dye) Warzecha, Alexandra (fiancé Andrew Mengelt) Warzecha, Charlie Warzecha, Hunter Warzecha, Hannah Brochtrup, Megan Brochtrup, Jessica (Ben) Johnson, Steven (Jennifer) Putnam, Caleb Brochtrup, Cole Brochtrup, Austin Brochtrup; Grace Brochtrup; 40 great grandchildren. Three great grandchildren and the first great great grandchild are expected in fall; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Leon (Carolyn) Schuh, Edward Schuh, Donald Schuh, Irene (John) Nenahlo, Germaine (William) Hoyer, Florence Braun, Corrine Staudinger, Nancy (Bill) Mathes. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law: Dan Gilsdorf; two grandchildren: Frances Brochtrup and Jonathon Gilsdorf; two brothers: Robert (Jeanette) Brochtrup, James (Betty & Rita) Brochtrup; one sister: Mary Lou (Ronald) Thiel; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Edward and Ottilia Schuh; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Eleanore (Donald) Brunig, Alice (John) Maney, Harland (Gloria) Schuh, Kenneth Schuh, Mary Schuh, Theresa Schuh, Joyce Schuh, Norbert Braun, Paul Staudinger. 

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Whitelaw. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial was the Rev. Willard Van De Loo. Burial will take place at St. Mary Cemetery, Reedsville. 

The family greeted relatives and friends on Monday evening, June 16, 2025 at the Pielhop Funeral Home in Reedsville from 4:00 p.m. until the time of a Prayer Service. The visitation was Tuesday morning at church.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pielhop.com. 

The Pielhop Funeral Homes of Reedsville and Brillion are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.