Mary Brandemuehl

Mary I. Brandemuehl, age 94, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center, in Dubuque, IA, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 26, 1922, the daughter of Herbert and Fern (Miles) Schwantes. Mary graduated from Lancaster High School in 1940. She married James C. Brandemuehl on March 10, 1941, in Clinton, IA. Together they farmed all of their lives. In 1950, they purchased a farm in Liberty Township that became the Brandemuehl family farm. Mary was a member of the Grant County Cattlemen and Cowbells, West Grant Saddle Club, Rebecca Lodge, Lancaster United Methodist Church, and Grant County Pork Producers. She dedicated more than fifty years as a Grant County 4-H leader and member of the Livestock Facility Trust. Jim and Mary were founding members of the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association and were members of the Southwest Wisconsin Regional High School Rodeo. She also assisted Liberty Township during election season. Mary was a proud steward of the land and was a great matriarch of her farm. Mary's daily routine of caring for her livestock was her happy time.

Survivors include her children: Larry (Jean); John (Linda) Brandemuehl; Cathy (Steve) McPhail; Sue (Jeff) Funk; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Linda Saunders; a sister, Carol Graney; a brother, Alan (Dolores) Schwantes; many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James; son, David; a daughter-in-law, Sandra; a great-grandson, Bradley Millin; two brothers: Miles and Norman (Erma) Schwantes; a brother-in-law, Rex Graney.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 23, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lancaster United Methodist Church with Pastor Jean Schmitt officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Sunday, May 22, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the church and on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Mary I. Brandemuehl memorial fund has been established. Martin Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Lancaster is assisting the family.