Philip L. Brantner

Philip L. Brantner, age 88 of Pepin, formerly of Arkansaw, died Sunday, August 23, 2015 at the Plum City Care Center in Plum City with his family by his side.
Phil was born on July 5, 1927 in Lima, rural Durand. He was the son of George and Hannah (Berger) Brantner. Phil grew up in the Durand and Arkansaw areas. After school, he farmed with his dad for a short while, but mainly he was a bricklayer mason. Phil helped build many well-known buildings in the area; the St. James Hotel in Red Wing, MN, the dorms at UW-Stout in Menomonie and UW-Eau Claire in Eau Claire and Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. He also did a lot of brick and stone work for Glaus Bros. in Durand and built many fire places for people. Phil married Alice Foster on April 12, 1950 in the courthouse in Durand. Together they lived in Arkansaw and had four children. Alice passed away in 1997. Phil married Betty Hilman on June 22, 2004 at the United Methodist Church in Pepin, where he remained the rest of his life.
Phil enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and living off the land. He also liked music and played his mouth organ and button accordion. Most of all, Phil loved to spend time with family and friends.
Phil is survived by his wife, Betty, three children; Donna Cataract of Eau Claire, Raymond of Safford, AZ and Philip Jr. (Shirley) of Arkansaw, five stepchildren; Joan (Bruce) Peterson of Stockholm, Ronald (Tetsuko) Raethke of Warner Robins, GA, Roger Raethke of Pepin, Ralph (Tami Lecheler) Raethke of Pepin and Joyce (John) Stewart of Stockholm, 40 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, one great great grandson, one brother; John (Alice) of Pepin, two sisters; Rose Stewart of Durand and Margie Kuehl of Milwaukee, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife; Alice, one son; David, five brothers; Robert, Fred, Paul, Gale and George, four sisters; Margaret Davis, Frances Smith, Doris Sanders and Beatrice Anderson.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Community Church of Christ in Arkansaw. Pastor Dan Richardson will officiate. Burial will be in the Arkansaw Memorial Cemetery in Arkansaw. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM Wednesday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.
Condolences may be made online at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.