Brian Brandstedter

Madison - Brian J. "Boru" Brandstedter, age 53, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 while at UW Hospital with family present after a long illness. He was born on August 5, 1957, in Reedsburg, WI, the beloved son of John and Yvonne (Donnelly) Brandstedter.

Brian was a self-taught Artist who spent hours and hours working on detailed graphite drawings of Western scenes, Ships, and Lighthouses and creating original designs for beautifully hand crocheted blankets. He loved music, Cowboy movies and he loved animals. His passion was horses and in his early years he spent time working at BelMar Ranch in Lake Geneva, and as an assistant horse trainer at The Horse Quarters in East Troy. He then went to Madison to work for Mermaid Car Wash for several years and was promoted to manager before becoming a proud Union member during the years he worked for Rock Ten, but later his greatest joy in life was the outdoors and his years spent managing the vast grounds and wetlands of "The Derry Farm" in Lyons, WI.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gary and Jack, his sister, Sheryl, as well as his beloved horse "Stormy".

He will be sadly missed by his three sisters, Judy (Pat) Sebranek of Madison, Beverly (Jim) Smith of Elkhorn, Patti (Don) Prechel of Stoughton; a brother, Michael (Denise) of West Chicago, IL; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, dearest old "Maggie Maude" the dog, and his best friend, his cat named "Puppy", who vigilantly gave him great comfort and care.

A private graveside memorial service will be held at a later date at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Eau Claire along side his preceded family members.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all the compassionate caring people at UW Hospital, and special thanks to ER staff, and the D6/4 Neurosurgery folks. Memorial donations in Brian's name may be made to Dane County Humane Society at: https://www.giveshelter.org/make-a-donation.html

"Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the time, and not be discouraged at the rests. The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life."--John Ruskin