Rita Brandt

A visitation will be held Friday, September 16^th from 9:30-10:45AM at St. Gregory the Great Church, 3160 S. 63^rd St., Milwaukee, WI 53219.  A Catholic Funeral Mass will follow at 11AM. 

Dear mother of Cheryl (George Dyer) Brandt, Deborah (the late Thomas Gray) Brandt, Laurie (Michael) Nolan, Judith Brandt, and Jill (Mark) Schley.  Proud grandmother of David and Thomas Dyer, Sierra Brandt Gray, Gregory Avello, and Erin (Joe) Refsland.  Loving great grandmother to 6 great grandchildren.  Sister of Mary (the late Robert) Herwig.  Sister-in-law of Susan (the late Thomas) Brandt and Richard(the late Carolyn) Brandt.  Preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 60 years Charles Brandt and her brother John(Sylvia) Dietz.

Rita was a person that genuinely loved people, and this was reflected in many aspects of her life. As a young woman she chose a “helping profession” in the medical field, working as a Dental Hygienist for 50 years. She worked into her early 70’s, because, she said, she loved her patients, and they loved her. Everyone the family brought home, and the extended family, were always welcome at her Sunday or Holiday table, regardless of how well she might have gotten along with them. She was very accepting of those different from herself.

Rita’s love extended to her Catholic community. After she retired, she spent many hours volunteering for St. Gregory’s Parish fund-raising events, and was in charge of organizing the annual rummage sale for a number of
years. She made sure the volunteers for that event had home-made meals to sustain them through the long days. When she moved into the Village of Manor Park, she volunteered for the Board and helped organize numerous
events for the residents. She also gave time to help out the nursing home residents when the opportunity arose.

Rita’s biggest love, of course, was her five daughters, her grandchildren and her husband, Chuck. She worked full time to save money for her daughter’s education and taught them how to cook with joy and eat healthy.  She wanted to give them the best opportunity for success in careers, health and happiness. She contributed in these same loving ways to her five grandchildren. Rita was a devoted wife of nearly 60 years. She and Chuck had many happy years together, traveling and socializing with friends, and volunteering together after they retired. In the last years of his life, as he struggled with kidney disease, she was completely committed to helping him with all aspects of his diet and activity, trying, in vain, to hold back the disease.

Finally, Rita was a most skilled and passionate bridge player. Up until the very end of her days, she maintained her seat at the card table, running up the score and depriving the opposing teams of their wagers.