Leona M. Brantmeier

Leona M. Brantmeier, age 93, of Menasha, passed away on April 18, 2025. Leona was born on September 4, 1931, in the Town of Stockton to the late Julius and Regina (Ostrowski) Rzentkowski. Leona spent her early years helping on the family farm with chores and tending to her younger siblings. She moved to Menasha in 1950 and started working at Marathon. While in Menasha she met her true love, Russell. They were married on June 14, 1954, and spent 62 years together until Russell’s passing in 2016.

Leona enjoyed traveling, especially after Dad retired, seeing the country. She also enjoyed her Packers and Brewers and rarely missed a game on TV. In addition to travel, spending time at the cottage in Three Lakes was a highlight, pursuing her true passion for fishing.

Leona is survived by her son Dan (Donna) Brantmeier, her step-grandchildren: Melissa (Jason) Watkins, Nichole (Adam) Pugh, and Natalie (Casey) Theissen; 7 step great grandchildren: Gavin, Chase, Raegen, Harlow, Braxton, Kyler and Emmett. She is also survived by her two sisters Rita Demski and Germaine Borski along with two sisters-in-law Diana (Richard) Rzentkowski and Myrna (Merle) Brantmeier along with countless nieces and nephews.

In addition to Russell and her parents, Leona was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law Barb; brothers: Victor (Lorraine) Rzentkowski, Myron (Vera) Rzentkowski, Leaonard (Kathy) Rzentkowski, and Richard Rzentkowski; sisters Wanda (Ray) Disher, Virginia (Tony) Isherwood, Bernice (Richard) Gawinski, Edwina (Edward) Glisczinski; brothers-in-law Ron Borski, Robert Demski, Reynold Brantmeier, Lloyd Brantmeier and Merle Brantmeier as well as many other relatives.

A funeral liturgy will take place on Thursday May 1, 2025, at 11:00am at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 528 2nd Street, Menasha. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:45 am until mass begins. In addition, there will be an evening visitation on Wednesday April 30, 2025, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home-Laemmrich Chapel, 312 Milwaukee Street, Menasha. Leona will be laid to rest at St Mary’s Cemetery, Menasha.

Leona’s family would like to thank the staff at Dimensions Living in Appleton for their care and help along with the ThedaCare Hospice team.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.