Mary Josephine Brochtrup

Mary Josephine Brochtrup, 90, passed away Wednesday, November 20th after a battle with dementia. She was born on January 6, 1934, at home, the oldest daughter of Carl and Nell Oberthur. Mary attended St. Francis School in Hollandtown and Kaukauna High School. On September 25, 1952, she was united in marriage to Fred Brochtrup at St. Francis Church, Hollandtown. They shared 68 years of marriage until his passing in April 2021. 

Over the years, Mary made a name for herself through her love of painting and drawing. It was not uncommon to see her armed with camera in hand ready to take a photo of whatever caught her interest and turn it into a beautiful painting regardless of the medium of paint from oil to ink. Her paintings ranged from her grandkids to a beautiful setting over a lake. As a proud member of the Appleton Art Center, Green Bay Watercolor Guild, Kaukauna Creative Arts Group, and the Appleton Art Critique Group, Mary displayed her artwork in many galleries throughout the Fox Valley and participated in Art in the Park and the 1,000 Island Nature’s Images Art Fair for many years. Her uncanny ability to transform a photograph into a stunning painting amazed all who saw her work, yet Mary remained humbly modest about her endless talent. 

Mom’s greatest pride was her family. She enjoyed sharing stories about her children and grandchildren and always had her camera in hand to capture a special moment. She loved bringing her family together tempting them with her apple, banana cream, and strawberry rhubarb pies and always had a fresh batch of cookies on hand and ice cream in the freezer when one of us came to visit, especially the grandkids. Mom also loved gardening and took pride in her flowers fiercely protecting the flower bed from unwelcome naps by the family dog! Summers were spent enjoying time with family and friends in Eagle River at the family cottage and winters in Punta Gorda, Florida, where she became very competitive on the tennis court! Most importantly, she took immense pride in her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren's sporting, musical and academic events! 

Mary will forever be missed by her children: Mary Brochtrup (wife of her late son, Dennis), Tom (Barb) Brochtrup, Lori (Joe) Haen, Chunk (Jeanne) Brochtrup, Peggy Brochtrup (and special friend, Tom), Patti (Troy) Giordana, Jane (Dale) Mahnke, Dave (Sharon) Brochtrup; Grandchildren: Eric, Jenna Brochtrup (special friend, Wesley), Erin (John) Van Rooy, Brad (Sarah) Brochtrup, Sara (Miles) Weber, Kristin (Tommy) Myers, Jesse (Melissa) Haen, Joshua Haen, Michael (Kara) Brochtrup, Jim (Megan) Brochtrup, Lisa (Tyler) Van Kauwenberg, Nick (Justine) Brochtrup, Andrew (Ashley) Mahnke, Alex Mahnke, Megan Brochtrup (Bryce Weigert) and Ben Brochtrup (special friend, Grace); Great-Grandchildren: Finnegan, Declan, Madigan, Luke, Adam, Kate, Alethea, Waylon, Charlette, Petronella, Josephine, Lincoln, Nolan, Savannah, Kendyll, Caiden, Bentley, Kayla, Caroline, Ava, Weston, Clark, Libby, and Bryce; sister, Ann Paulsen, and sister-in-law Doris (Brochtrup) Vandenheuvel; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. 

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, and her son, Dennis, along with her parents, Carl and Nell Oberthur; sister, Loretta Oberthur, and brother-in-law, Gene Paulsen, in-laws Ben and Olga; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane (Wilbur) Srnka, Pat (Matt) Backus, and Diane (Vic) Haen; brother-in-law, Donald Brochtrup. 

The funeral liturgy for Mary will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church (St. Francis site), 433 County Road CE, Kaukauna at 11:00 am with Fr. Willie Vandeloo officiating. Interment will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Hollandtown at a later date. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church (St. Francis Site) from 9:00 am until the hour of the mass. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in her name. 

The Brochtrup family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the amazing caregivers of Aspire and Desiree and Lana at Moments Hospice for their exceptional compassion and care of our dear mother. 

Mom – You taught us so many things over the years—but the value that you placed on family is at the forefront. The close-knit family that you’ve fostered doesn’t just happen, you’ve nurtured our relationships with one another—a gift we can never thank you for enough. We will forever miss you, but we will always be grateful for all you have given us. We love you!