Mark Bredael

Mark Lee Bredael, 82 years old, passed away peacefully December 6, 2024 in Denmark, Wisconsin.

Mark was born on August 27, 1942, in Luxemburg, Wisconsin to the late Harvey and Viola (Joppe) Bredael and shared many adventures with his seven brothers and sisters growing up. Mark’s amazing work ethic was instilled at a young age and began with setting pins at the family-owned Luxemburg Bowl. He learned patience and precision – skills he would carry with him throughout his life as a son, sibling, husband, father, grandfather and lineman. He worked hard, played hard and loved hard every day.

Mark was a graduate of Luxemburg High School and also served as an Army Reservist at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

On October 2, 1965, he married the love of his life, Lana Lazansky, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. They shared more than 59 years together, raising four children in the Cooperstown area.

Dad recently said, “I’ve never used the words ‘I can’t’ in my life.” There’s no doubt he lived a life filled with a can-do spirit. Left-handed bowling? Can do. Work loyally for the same company for 35 years? Can do. Eagerly take four kids to Kelly Lake in a small trailer for two weeks during the summer with no air conditioning and call it a fun family vacation? He did that, too.

Mark was one of the best left-handed bowlers in the area, averaging in the 190s. He had the Bredael bowling gene and loved the game his entire life. He enjoyed bowling leagues, teaching his kids to bowl, and rolling in late with Mom from Friday Night Leagues at 20th Century.

Mark was a lineman and repairman for General Telephone & Electronics (GTE) across northeastern Wisconsin for the majority of his work life. His early years were spent away from home during the week laying phone lines across the Door County Peninsula. When he got home on Friday nights and wanted to rest, Mom, who had been home all week with four young children, was ready to hit the town. Mark’s response: Can do. And out they went!

We have priceless memories of those years at Kelly Lake with Mom and Dad, and for over 20 years reinstituted them with family vacations to Dam Lake in northern Wisconsin. Precious memories were made up north and Dad savored the slow boat rides, hot weather, fish fries and playing games with the grandkids.

Dad’s work ethic was inspiring. He was always looking for something to do. After retiring from GTE in 1994, he worked part time for Kolstad Plumbing, making for the perfect transition into his favorite role as a devoted grandfather. Grandpa spent countless hours playing games, hanging out in the pool, attending school events ranging from field trips to concerts, soccer games and dance recitals. He was always eager to treat the grandkids to McDonalds and to catch up on what they were doing as young adults.

Mark was an outdoors guy through and through. He loved being outside for any reason and any season, including grilling in the backyard (the cold beers were almost as good as the hot dogs and hamburgers!) plowing snow, and cutting his lawn. Putzing in his garage was also a good reason to be outside. His precision---a place for everything--included designated homes for tools, lawn supplies, bird seeds/feeders and more. In early summer, Dad could be seen walking on Zander Road scouring ditches for asparagus with his dog Jasper, in his garden or tending to his bird feeders.

Mark was a lifelong sports fan, from participating to competing, then coaching his son’s baseball teams and enjoying Brewers, Bucks, Packers games. Mark was a long time Packers season ticket holder and attended the famous Ice Bowl at Lambeau Field. Go to one of the coldest football games ever played? Can do.

Dad shared his love of music with his family, and the stereo was always playing vinyl records, especially country and rock. He attended live concerts every chance he got with Mom, including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Don Williams. What about polka? Can do, and Mark did, as a polka dancer and member of the Happy Hoppers Dance Club.

For Dad, card playing was a close second to bowling. He was an avid and wicked good player at Sheepshead, especially Jack of Diamonds Partner, 500 Rummy and cribbage. He saw to it that his grandkids learned to play Sheepshead at a young age, and regardless of age, only showed mercy when Lana kicked him under the table.

Dad’s can-do spirit was at its best at Christmas, his favorite time of the year. A 50-year member of St. James Catholic Church in Cooperstown, Dad served in multiple roles including as an usher and singing in the choir. Special memories include taking his children to sing at Christmas midnight mass, and the epic Christmas Eve when he and Mom piled the family into the car for an emergency trip to Wauter’s General Store for cat food. Little did we know it was all a ruse so the neighbors could play Santa. We returned home to a tree filled with gifts and an empty whiskey shot glass – left by Dad to ensure Santa stayed warm on the sleigh ride home. We will hold those memories especially close this year when we celebrate our first Christmas without Dad.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lana; four children, Sue (Don) Schuh, Valders; Linda (Jeff) Mason, Sheboygan; David Bredael, Eau Claire; and John (Annie) Bredael, Aurora, Colorado; six grandchildren, Katie and Alex Schuh; Abbey Machtig; Ben Mueller; Josh Bredael; and Clae Rountree.

Additionally he is survived by his brother Tommy (Eunice) Bredael; brother-in-law David Lazansky; special niece Kim (Keith) Philippi and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Harvey and Viola Bredael, father and mother-in-law Alvin and Evelyn Blahnik, his siblings, Monty Bredael, Lloyd (Eileen) Bredael, Julie Michiels, Gloria Cleereman, Raymond Bredael, Judy Baierl and Jim (Laverne) Bredael, his brothers-in-law Roger Lazansky and Earl Baierl.

Family and friends may visit on Sunday, December 15 from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at Cotter Funeral Home- Denmark (536 County Road R), with a prayer service to follow at Noon with the Rev. William O’Brien officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com

A special thank you to the staff at Unity Hospice, Denmark neighbor Oliver Kushto and Family, dear friends Gerald and Diane Steinberger and the team at Susters who always recognized Mark’s voice when he called in for a bucket of chicken to go.