Rae Joanne Theresa (Wolff) Bryant, Pittsville WI, formally of Marshfield WI, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 25, 2024 with her family by her side.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, January 29, 2024 at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Marshfield, WI with Rev. Daniel Naumann officiating. The service will be streamed on the church’s YouTube page (www.youtube.com/@trinitylutheran1543/streams). Burial will follow in Brooklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Town of Richfield, Wood County. Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Sunday, January 28, 2024 and from 9:30 am until service time on Monday, all at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Marshfield, WI.
Mom was born September 3, 1936 in Marshfield WI to Otto and Rozella (Nelson) Wolff, the youngest of three girls. She attended Cameron Pride School and graduated from Marshfield High School in 1954. On January 3, 1959 she married her neighbor boy, James (Jim) Bryant, when he came home on leave from Germany (Army). Dad was transferred to Ft. Riley KS, that is where they made their first home and had their first son, Steven in April of 1960. In July 1960 Dad was discharged from the Army then he & Mom made the move back to Wisconsin. They started out next to Grandma and Grandma Wolff, then moved to rural Chili, Spencer and Loyal where they had three more children, Theresa, Joseph and Peggy. During that time they fostered eight teenage boys. They bought their farm in Lindsey and had five more children, Edwin, Mary, Sally, Richard and Jane.
Mom was baptized, confirmed and married at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Richfield. She was an organist for the church for 45 years and also, 4-H Leader in Clark County and General Leader for Lindsey 4-H, Wood County. Mom worked a few various jobs while raising her family. A stroke in 2004 forced her to retire, her favorite job, after 17 years, as Secretary for Trinity Lutheran Church and School. Dad passed away in September 2011, then two years later, she moved into an apartment in Pittsville. Daughter, Mary, was her main caregiver, checking on her at least three times a day.
Mom always loved family gatherings, especially her yearly “Grandma Bunny” Easter Egg Hunt, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Birthday parties. Mom’s loves were the 3 F’s; Faith, Family and Friends. She was an avid reader, spent many years sewing for family and friends, playing and singing music and thoroughly enjoyed a game of Solitaire or Smear. Dad and Mom used to enjoy square dancing or to a favorite polka.
Rae Joanne is survived by her children, Theresa (Roger) Werstovshek, Joseph (Laurie LaSee) Bryant, Peggy (Bryan) Hoffarth, Edwin (Michelle) Bryant, Mary (Corey) Kurz, Sally (Eric Thums) Bryant, Richard Bryant and Jane (Mathew) Huber.
Grandchildren: Amanda (Jason) Koopman, Heather Prust, Elisha (James) Weinfurtner, Dakota Knetter, Charlotte Suda, Brandi (Chad) Fox, Joshua Werstovshek, Lindsey Bryant, Ashley Bryant, Caryn (Matthew) VanPietersom, Evan (Sarah) Hoffarth, Zachary (Katelyn) Hoffarth, Taylor Bryant, Christina Kurz, Naomi (Kevin) Kissane, Natasha (Jake) Shafer, Dylan Rudie, Trenton Bryant, Dustin Manlick, Anna Bryant, Kari Bryant, Eric (Cassandra) Huber and Miranda Huber. She is also survived by many Great Grandchildren, a couple more on the way and also a Special Son, Patrick Shulist.
Preceded in death by husband, James, son, Steven, her parents Otto and Rozella Wolff, her in-laws Ernest and Madeline Bryant, Sisters; Beverly (Robert) Brooks and Ila (Walter) Theisen.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice team for their care and guidance. Also to our sister Mary for her ever patient care for Mom over the years.
Memorials can be made in Mom’s name to Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church and School.
Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com
Author: News Desk
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