Loretta A. Brzezinski, age 95, of Sun Prairie, Wis., passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024. She was born on March 4, 1929, in Wausau, Wis., daughter to the late Anton and Agnes (Halminiak) Nowak. On Sept. 17, 1949, she married Steve Brzezinski, her partner in life. They shared almost 70 years together.
Loretta and Steve raised four children in the Schofield/Rothschild area. She worked as a crossing guard for St. Therese Catholic School after moving to Schofield from Rib Mountain in the early 1960s. She later went to work for the D.C. Everest School District as a Teacher’s Aide and continued that work until her retirement. Between 1955 and 1975, she and Steve built five homes in Rib Mountain, Schofield, and Rothschild. Much hard work was put into those homes. After retiring, she and Steve moved to Tomahawk to their retirement home. Loretta continued to be active at the Senior Center serving meals and at St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she helped teach religious education.
Loretta’s faith was always important to her. She was never far from her prayer book or rosary. Her bread making was well known and a treat for many, especially Steve. Loretta was always ready for a game of Sheepshead and usually came out a winner. She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed their visits so much. Loretta’s last year was spent in Sun Prairie at Talamore Senior Living. She appreciated the visits, the calls, and the messages, and wished she had been better able to respond to the many family members and friends who kept her in their thoughts and prayers during the last year of her life. She endured a lot but never complained.
Survivors include her sons, Francis (Anne) Brzezinski, of Oconomowoc, Wis., and Scott (Judy) Brzezinski, of Tomahawk, Wis.; and her daughter, Stacie (Marc) Swiggum, of Sun Prairie, Wis. Loretta is further survived by her grandchildren, Clifford Brzezinski, Sarah Stonbely, April Brzezinski, Caroline (Todd) Moering, Erin (Ryan) Kutz, Adam (Briana) Augustine, Abby (Michael) Marx, Katie (Jason Raisbeck) Howe, and Rachel (Nick) Neefe. She had 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was also blessed to have two step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.
Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Steve; her daughter, Janean (Chris) Howe; her parents, Anton and Agnes; her in-laws, Anton and Anna (Feltzkowski) Brzezinski; her brother, Joe Nowak; her sisters, Leona Champine and Lottie Soper; and her step-granddaughter, Lauren Swiggum. She was also preceded by many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.
A special thanks to the Agrace staff for the support they provided during her last months of life, particularly Hospice RN Melissa Lendborg, for the care she provided and the stories she listened to, and Hospice Nurse Practitioner Aaron Hoekstra, whose face immediately brought comfort to Loretta.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomahawk, or Agrace, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wis., 53711.
Funeral services for Loretta Brzezinski will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 11 a.m., at St Mary’s Catholic Church, located at 320 E. Washington Ave. in Tomahawk. Rev. Louis Maram Reddy will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Generations Funeral Home of Tomahawk is assisting the family. You may view Loretta’s obituary and leave online condolences at www.generationsfuneral.com.