MADISON - Dale J. Brasser died peacefully January 13, 2025, in Madison, Wis., three days shy of his 93rd birthday, with his children near.

Dale was born on January 16, 1932, in Gibbsville, Wis., son of the late Lewis and Florence (Eernisse) Brasser, and was raised on the family farm in the Town of Lima, Sheboygan County. He graduated from Oostburg High School in 1950 and attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dale married the late Judith (Mentink) Brasser on April 16, 1952, in Oostburg. He spent 27 years as the Business Manager for the Manitowoc Public Schools, retiring in 1992.

Retirement provided Dale the opportunity to concentrate on his passion for history and particularly the Civil War for the next 30 years. He was an active contributor to Civil War Roundtables in Manitowoc and Milwaukee, a frequent reenactor around Wisconsin and the Midwest, a member of the Civil War Singers, and a willing speaker to elementary schools, high schools and college history classes, often making his presentations in full Union Army uniform, carrying the musket his great-grandfather had brought home from the war and which sparked his curiosity about that period.

Dale was extremely active in his community, committing himself to numerous organizations and their charitable work, often taking leadership roles. Most notable were his contributions with the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and First Presbyterian Church.

Dale was an avid musician throughout his life. He played piano, played tenor saxophone in the National Guard 32nd Division Band and the Green Bay Packers Band, and sang in the church choir and as a cast member of several Masquers, Inc., musical productions. You could also frequently find him on a baseball diamond, or a football field, and he proudly played softball well into his fifties.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses: Dean (Barbara) Brasser, Madison, Bob (Peggy) Brasser, Denver, Colo., and Julee (Tim) Barnett, Madison; seven grandchildren: Dr. Andy (Breanna) Brasser, Eden Prairie, Minn., Kyle (Amanda) Brasser, Eden Prairie, Minn., Jason Brasser, Chicago, Ill., Tyler Barnett, Minneapolis, Minn., Molly Brasser, San Francisco, Calif., Ben (Raeanna) Brasser, Minneapolis, Minn., and Clayton Barnett, Madison; nine great-grandchildren: Lila Brasser, Gavin Brasser, Elsie Brasser, Lucy Brasser, Grace Brasser, Magdalena Brasser, Madeline Brasser, Jack Brasser, and Ambrose Brasser; his brother, Carl Brasser, Franklin, Tenn.; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Ann (Don) Draayers, Oostburg, Wis.; sister-in-law, Linda (Mentink) Vander Wheele, Oostburg, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and loved ones.

A gathering for family and friends will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Dale’s memory.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of UW Hospital and Oakwood Village University Woods for their care and support. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Dale Brasser

January 16, 1932 - January 13, 2025

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