Larry and Vicki Brandt

Middleton - Larry Brandt, age 78, and Antoinette ""Vicki"" Brandt, age 76, died together in a car accident on April 11, 2018.

Larry was born on Oct. 5, 1939 in Lincoln, Nebraska, son of Wilburn and Hazel (Webster) Brandt. Vicki was born on Dec. 15, 1941 in Madison, Wisconsin, daughter of Kenneth and Agnes (Ulvestad) Stevenson.

Larry graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1957 and from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1964. Vicki graduated from Lodi High School in 1959 and attended Platteville for one year, where she met Larry. They were married on Jan. 25, 1964 in Lodi, Wisconsin, and they raised two daughters together.

Taking advantage of his friendly personality and people skills, Larry had a successful career in sales. After college, he worked for Stanley Home Products; Braeger Chevrolet in Milwaukee, and Zimbrick, Inc. in Madison and did auto sales training and consulting before retiring in 1992. Vicki worked at Cuna Credit Union after college before settling into her favorite roles as mother, homemaker and, later, grandmother.

Larry was a loving and loyal husband, father and grandfather. He was outgoing and fun but also deep and sentimental - often reminiscing about cherished moments from earlier in his life. He was fiercely protective and proud of his family, and his idea of a perfect afternoon was sitting on the porch with his loved ones with a cold drink in his hand and a favorite song on the radio. He loved playing a good game of euchre, taking care of his perfectly manicured lawn, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, playing with his ""granddogs"" Coco and Bruno, and - above all else - spending time with Vicki.

Vicki was known for her quiet strength and eternal optimism, always looking on the bright side of things and often reminding her daughters to ""keep their chin up"" during rough times. She was caring and compassionate, always on hand to listen to a problem and going out of her way to help loved ones in need. She was an utterly devoted wife and the quintessential homemaker whose skills as a hostess were unparalleled and whose chocolate cake - Larry's favorite - was unrivaled. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, drawing and Skyping or playing with her granddaughters. She was amazingly patient and giving with her grandchildren, and she'll forever be known as ""Pajama Grandma.""

Above all else, Larry and Vicki had a deep love for their family and for one another. Soulmates who were married for 54 years, they were rarely apart and referred to one another as their ""rock."" While their family is heartbroken over the accident and this great loss, they're grateful that Larry and Vicki will always be together. ""God has truly blessed us,"" Vicki said on more than one occasion.

They are survived by their children, Sandra Brandt of Middleton and Michelle (Jonathan) Brandt Browdy of San Francisco and two grandchildren, Zoe and Avery Browdy of San Francisco. Larry is also survived by his sisters, Cheryl (Charles) Yonts and Carole Brandt; Vicki is survived by her brother, John Stevenson; and sisters, Roselyn (John) Skopek and Joanne Sprecher.

Together they were preceded in death by their parents. Larry was also preceded in death by his brother, Ron Brandt, and his beloved uncle and aunt Joe and Norma Kratchovill; Vicki was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Dorothy Stevenson; and a brother-in-law, Al Sprecher.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM on Wednesday April 18, 2018 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton. A joint memorial service will follow at 11 AM with Pastor Heather Hayward presiding. They will be laid to rest at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Lodi.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation (www.scleroderma.org) or St. Luke's Lutheran Church.