Michael J. “Mike” Brunner, age 84 of Shawano, passed away peacefully Monday evening, January 3, 2022, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, following a brief battle with lung cancer.

Mike was born January 27, 1937, in the Town of Belle Plaine, a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Dillenburg) Brunner. He attended country schools and later Shawano High School, graduating with the Class of 1955. Following high school, Mike farmed with his brothers on Brunner Gold Star Farms in the Town of Belle Plaine. On October 14, 1961, Mike was united in marriage to the former Darla Ebert at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Gresham. Following their marriage, Mike continued farming with his brothers. The couple moved to Shawano in 1983. Mike worked at the Shawano County Farm as the manager before retiring in 1999.

Mike is a good and faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mike enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his wife, children, and grandkids. He was an avid sheepshead player and enjoyed bowling in his younger years.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Darla Brunner of Shawano; his children, Eileen (Regan) Haulotte of Sheboygan Falls, Paul (Valerie) Brunner of Glenbeulah, Teresa (Scott McAnally) Brunner of Elizabethtown, KY, Nancy Wolff of Shawano, Jason (Aimee) Brunner of Cedarburg, Frank (Nikole) Brunner of Prescott Valley, AZ, Matthew (Tanya) Brunner of Oshkosh, and Steven (Tracy) Brunner of Friedens, PA; twelve grandchildren, Serena, Jezel, Adam, Samuel, Brady, Malia, Nolan, Laura, Kiyah, Lillian, Cyrus, and Octavian; and many nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by five brothers, Anton, John, George, Martin, and an infant brother, Frank; and six sisters, Frances Lieg, Elizabeth Jeske, Magdalen Bartz, Anna Brunner, Margaret Adams, and Mary Stieber.

A private Funeral Mass for Michael J. Brunner will be celebrated.