MADISON - Earyl A. Brabender, age 80, of Madison, passed away peacefully at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, Wis., on Thursday, March 2, 2023, after a courageous nearly three-year battle with cancer. He was the son of Hubert P. and Rosalia M. (Friedl) Brabender, born at St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, on Jan. 2, 1943, on a typical winter day in Wisconsin - a high of 25 degrees, snowy, and windy.

He grew up with five siblings on the family farm in Ashton, Wis., where he did his share of chores and field work, though he never cared for cultivating corn, picking up stones, fixing fences, and cleaning up after the cows, pigs, and chickens. In winter, he’d go sledding with his siblings and, in summer, play baseball. For a few weeks, he tried playing the cornet, but didn’t like to practice and gave it up, much to the relief of his family.

He graduated from St. Peter’s Catholic Elementary School in 1957 with his eight Ashton classmates, including his best friend, Jerry Goeman. He then attended Middleton High School, where his white-suede shoes and long hair clashed with the flat-top culture of the time. We believe Earyl had outlived all the bullies who thought he should change. Of course, Earyl, ever the maverick, never did change. He didn’t care what anyone thought about his life choices. He never apologized for marrying young or for his years working at the Mazomanie Egg Plant, McKay Nursery, Treasure Island Department Store, the City of Madison, Berman’s, Old Dutch Potato Chips, and finally Madison Coffee and Vending, from where he retired and got to meet such notables as actress, Eva Marie Saint, and comedian, George Carlin, as Earyl filled vending machines at The Edgewater Hotel in Madison. They were genuinely nice people, Earyl said.

For recreation he played fast-pitch softball and then slo-pitch softball in Madison and area leagues for decades. He admitted he was only an adequate first baseman and a singles hitter, not a power hitter. His softball highlight was hitting one home run. When you hit only one, he said, you remember it. Earyl loved his food and drink. His favorite establishments were Village Lanes, Leske’s Supper Club, and Avenue Bar.

As cancer ate at his throat and it became harder for him to swallow, Earyl fell in love with the pancakes - smothered with strawberry sauce and whipped cream - served at Denny’s and The Monona Gardens.

As for music, Earyl had his favorites, too - “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey; “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” by Rod Stewart; and anything by Elvis, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, Conway Twitty, and Dolly Pardon. But, Earyl said, nothing could beat the sound of the Buckinghams, a pop group formed in Chicago in the 1960s and famous for its No. 1 hit of 1967, “Kind of a Drag.” Earyl had befriended George Legros, one of the original members of the band, which re-grouped in the 1980s and still tours today. Earyl was hooked and seldom missed a show when the group played in southern Wisconsin. He was too frail to attend the latest one. And like most guys and gals born in Wisconsin, Earyl loved watching his Badgers, Brewers, and Packers. You can imagine that Earyl’s life philosophy would be a simple one - don’t worry about it, he’d say. When he learned he had terminal cancer, he said, you gotta die of something. Over the last year of his life, Earyl, his wife Angie, and the families of his siblings gathered regularly at their Ashton farm to play cards, eat, drink, relive old times, and laugh. Mostly laugh. Earyl had this gift for bringing people together. Earyl also enjoyed his visits to Arizona to see his grandkids and great-grandkids, and to sun himself around their warm family swimming pool. Earyl’s family will miss his honesty, his courage, his smile, his laugh, his sense of humor, and his playful baby blue eyes.

Earyl leaves his wife of 28 years, Angela (DiPiazza) Brabender; son, Earyl Jr. of Beloit, Wis.; daughter, Krystal and her husband, Troy Mooney; grandson, Aaron Mooney; granddaughter, Brittany (Mooney) Roberts and her husband, Logan Roberts; and great-grandkids, Madison and Jackson Roberts, all of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandson, Blake Brabender of Texas; sister, Joyce Mulhern and her husband, Joe of Madison; sister, Debbie Tracy of Ashton; brother, Jerry and his wife, Susan (Lowe) Brabender of Oregon, Wis.; brother, Wayne of Ashton; sister-in-law, Tracy DiPiazza of Princeton, Wis.; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, Hubert C. (Sonny); sons, Cody and Matthew; parents-in-law, Frank and Rose DiPiazza; and brothers-in-law, Frank DiPiazza and Jeff Tracy.

Earyl’s ashes were interred during a private family ceremony at Roselawn Memorial Park, in Monona, Wis., on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Please join us for a celebration of Earyl’s life at VFW DAY POST 7591, 301 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Earyl’s family wishes to thank the staff at University of Wisconsin-Madison Carbone Cancer Center for extending Earyl’s life as long as possible and Agrace HospiceCare for making Earyl’s last days as comfortable as possible. And finally, Angie extends a big thank you “to all the family members and friends for their help and support throughout these trying times.” Memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences may be made to www.gundersonfh.com.

When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Earyl A Brabender Sr.

January 02, 1943 - March 02, 2023

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