Obituary of Marlene Claire Brunner

MARLENE C. BRUNNER age 85 of Jefferson died peacefully at her home on Sunday June 21, 2020. Born in Watertown, WI on November, 27, 1934, she was the eldest daughter of John Pitzner and Lydia Bergmann Pitzner of Jefferson. 

She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1952 and attended Carroll College in Waukesha, WI.  Marlene was a 58 year employee of the W.D. Hoard and Sons Company, working in the Hoard’s Dairyman editorial department as editorial coordinator and contact person between editorial and marketing and the Hoard’s West.  She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.  On February 14, 1964 Marlene married Jack Brunner.   He died on September 10, 1995.  She and Jack were instrumental in reorganizing the Humane Society of Jefferson County in 1974 at which time she started the “Pets of the Week” column in the Jefferson Advertiser, Jefferson County Union under different authorship.

Marlene also worked with the Bureau of Land Management’s Adopt a Horse and Burro program from 1985 until the mid-90’s, writing the scripts and participating in the BLM’s accomplishments was the adoption and taming of both a wild horse (Cheyenne) and a wild burro (Bullfrog), who shared her love with three domestic horses, Rebel, Ginger, and Travis, the latter two of which she both rode and drove on a cart and an old-time cutter.

Travels through the West were among her treasured memories, also trail riding on a mustang (former wild Horse) in Missouri and Montana.  She rode a mustang in the 1990 Ronald McDonald Christmas parade in Chicago and in various other parades.

Marlene was known for her compassion and love for all living creatures, especially her beloved horses, burro, goats, dogs, and cats and was a supporter of animal care and anticruelty organizations and a promoter of land conservation and environmental protection.

She is survived by her family, sisters Miriam (John) Steinke of Illinois, Mary Foskett of Jefferson, sister-in-law Sue Pitzner of Jefferson.  Nieces and Nephews, Steve Steinke of Fort Atkinson, Chris (“G”) Foskett of Cambridge, Cyndi (Bob Buske) Pitzner of Jefferson, David (Kathy) Pitzner of Jefferson, Cathi (Randy) Knaus of Chilton, Jennifer (Jeff) Ihlenfeld of Jefferson, Barb (Dooner) Simdon of Jefferson,  great nieces and nephews and  great-great nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, brother Ronald Pitzner, half-brother Douglas Pitzner, and most recently preceded by her faithful companion “Buddy”, also preceded by her other dogs, Mike, Butch, Cindy, Tuffy, Troubles, Bailey, Shylo, Rosie, Otis, her horses Rebel, Ginger, Travis, and Cheyenne her burro Bullfrog her goats Buttons and Melbourne, her cats, to many to name.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday June 26, 2020 at Bethany Lutheran church in Fort Atkinson with the Rev. Ethan Steinbrenner.  Visitation will be at the Church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Touched by a Paw in Whitewater, the Humane Society of Jefferson County, Return to Freedom (a wild mustang rescue) 4115 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436, Peacefull Valley Donkey  P.O. Box 926 – Lompoc, CA 93438 P.O. Box 926 – Lompoc, CA 93438 Or to Bethany Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.

The family would like to extend a Special thank you to Rainbow Hospice, and her devoted in-home caregivers who helped make her final year special.

Visit;  www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence.