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Obituary: Shirley Ann (Peterson) Brandt

August 9, 1936 ~ August 14, 2022

Shirley Ann Brandt, age 86, of Sturgeon Bay, died peacefully on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Trempealeau County HealthCare Center in Whitehall, Wisconsin.

She was born August 9, 1936 in Sturgeon Bay, third youngest of fourteen to Hans and Mary (Burlo) Peterson. Shirley’s mother passed when she was just six years old and her father passed when she was 15, leaving her to be raised by her older siblings. She did her schooling at Sturgeon Bay High School. Shirley worked as a housekeeper at Bridgeport Resort for many years until she retired. On May 26, 1955, Shirley married James Joseph Brandt and together, they raised their five children. Having lost her parents at such a young age, family meant everything to her. Shirley truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures – spending quality time with her loved ones, friends, nature, animals, resale shopping and traveling with her daughters on girl’s weekend getaways. One of her favorite traveling pleasures was touring the Elvis Presley Estate in Tennessee. In her younger years, Shirley would plant vegetables and can them. She always made homemade soups, pies, and fudge at Christmas time.

At age 79, Shirley moved to Trempealeau County Health Care Center and loved to stay busy, whether she was doing arts and crafts, playing Bingo, playing the card game, Skip-Bo, or going on an outing, usually to get butter pecan ice cream. Her plan was never to move several hours away from her children and was proud to say she was from Door County, but she knew she needed the care Trempealeau County could provide for her.

Shirley will be sadly missed by her five children, Vicki (Rick) Hannemann II, Sturgeon Bay, Randy (Michelle) Brandt, Sturgeon Bay, Kathy (Timothy) Good, Algoma, Lori (Kevin) Wodack, Sturgeon Bay, and Linda (John) Kurz, Colorado; two grandchildren, Crystal Brandt and Derek Hannemann; six great-grandchildren, Taylor, Seth, Bryce, Brandt, Dylan, and Emmitt; sister, Rita Wartner; sisters-in-law, Gloria Peterson, Janice Peterson, and Alice Peterson; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 12 siblings; and former husband, James Brandt.

In honor of Shirley’s wishes, she was laid to rest during a private graveside service at Bayside Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Trempealeau County Health Care Center for their extraordinary care, compassion, and friendship shown towards Shirley.

Huehns Funeral Home of Sturgeon Bay is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Shirley may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.