Carole Brandt

Madison / Surprise, AZ - Carole Brandt awakened from a long, fitful nap to check out of Agrace Hospice on Sunday June 16th and begin her residence in eternal gloryland. A model of vigorous health for three-quarters century, Carole had been in recent years beset by a series of mostly vascular-related conditions and complexes that eventually made deliverance merciful, though yet a final courageous step.
Carole Joan was born of Rose (Mills) and Arnie W. Agnew on Dec. 15, 1931 in Janesville. She grew up with older brother Bill on the family Lone Pine farm just west of Milton. Childhood summers were spent frolicking with friends and cousins on Clear Lake. Carole graduated from Milton Union High in 1949 with the distinction of having never missed a day of school.
Pursuit of secondary education led Carole from Lawrence in Appleton to Milwaukee State Teaché�ers College and a B.A. degree with History major from UW-Madison. Carole pledged the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and was courted by Psych 120 classmate William E. "Bud" Brandt. For two years Miss Agnew served as a third grade teacher at Keith Country Day School in Rockford.
Bud and Carole were wed on June 11th, 1955 at the Methodist Church in Milton and honeyé�mooned in Quebec. In an era when being a stay-at-home mother was a preferred, honorable, and respected occupation, Carole and Bud raised three children (Scott, John, and Linda) according to a strict division of labor which saw husband bring home the bacon from his successful business (Madison Appliance Parts) and wife wield the frying pan, broom, and stroller with aplomb. Carole relished her multifarious roles as always-there mom and homemaker and was an active member of the Wisconsin Extension Homemakers Council and Dane Co. Homemakers. The Brandt family occupied a succession of households from Hilltop Dr., Coney Weston Place, and Woods End, to Bryn Wood in Seminole Hills. When the kids were all of school age Carole volunteered at House of Thrift, as a docent for the State Historical Society, and Sunday School teacher at Midvale Lutheran. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, needle crafts, floral arranging, swimming, and socializing with bridge club and a special group of friends who have held regular pot luck gatherings for fifty year's plus.
In the 80's and 90's Bud and Carole travelled extensively and in style - highlighted by trips through-out Europe, Turkey, Brazil, Costa Rica, Australia, and China. In 1999 they had a house built for them in Sun City Grand outside of Phoenix and spent a wonderful year furnishing and decorating it before Bud suddenly passed in late 2000. Carole continued to winter in the Arizona desert, enjoying visits from her many beloved friends and family.
Carole is survived by her children and teenage granddaughters Sara and Christina, offspring of Linda and her husband Conrad Kirmis, who reside in Brookfield.
A Funeral Service will take place at Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd., Madié�son on Thursday, June 20, 2013, at l:00 p.m. with Rev. Katie Baardseth presiding. There will be a visitation prior to the service starting at 11:00 a. m. Luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to Midvale Lutheran or Agrace Hosé�piceCare whose staff provided extraordinarily kind ministrations to Carole in her waning days for which we are extremely grateful.