Walter Rueben "Sonny" Bramschreiber, 93, was welcomed into the loving arms of our heavenly Father the morning of Friday, November 29, 2024 with his wife of 68 years, Marilyn, at his side in their home on the bay in Little Suamico, just as he desired.

Sonny was born to Walter H. and Susan Bramschreiber in his only other home above his parents' general store in Little Suamico on January 12, 1931.  He attended grade school in Little Suamico, graduated from Oconto Falls High School in the class of 1948, and proudly served our country from 1951 – 1953 as a member of the U.S. Army where he was deployed to Trieste, a disputed territory along the Adriatic Sea near Italy, after World War II.  He often spoke fondly of his time overseas, exploring places such as Rome, Venice, and the Vatican City.

Sonny married the love of his life, Marilyn Barrett, at St. Pius Catholic Church in Little Suamico on June 23, 1956.  They were blessed with five children (Cindy, Colleen, Todd, Jeff, and Beth Ann) all of whom were raised in living quarters above the General Store which was previously owned and operated by Walter and Susan since 1923.  Sonny and Marilyn owned and operated the store for over 40 years, until its closure and their retirement to their home on the bay on January 31, 1997.   In addition to operating the store for seven days a week, Sonny was a rural mail carrier for 31 years, retiring from that job in 1986.  He was blessed to have worked alongside his father, Walter, and sister, Lucille, in the store business for many years.  Since the post office was located in a corner of the store until the late '70s, Sonny also worked alongside his mother, Susan, as well as his sister, Grace, who both served as postmasters for the U.S. Postal Service.  Being with his family was an important part of his life.

In retirement, he worked part-time driving used cars for both VanBoxtel Ford in Green Bay and Koehne Chevrolet in Oconto.  Sonny enjoyed shooting trap league at the Brown County range with his nearly all-women team.   He also continued to hunt ducks, geese, and pheasants in and around Little Suamico, and whitetail deer at camp in Athelstane.  He fished for perch and walleyes on the bay of Green Bay, and salmon and trout on Lake Michigan.  He fished in Canada for several years with the Koehne family, hunted ducks in Canada with the Malingowski family, and shot pheasants with his sons in South Dakota.  He was always happy to be in the outdoors pursuing some kind of fish or game.

Sonny was elected to serve as a Supervisor for the Town of Little Suamico for 12 years.  He and Marilyn, along with several others, were founding members of the Little Suamico Recreation Association.  They helped to make the community a better place by constructing the ball parks and recreation facilities as donors and volunteers.  He was a long-time member of the Little Suamico Sportsman Club, he served on the St. Pius Church Council for 24 years, and he belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council #6764.  Last, but not least, Sonny and Marilyn were part of the informal (and infamous) "Misfits" group that included several couples from Little (and even "Big") Suamico.  Together, they enjoyed many great parties and activities bringing their families together for fun and laughs.

Sonny is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 68 years, 5 children, 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, his younger brother Tom (Carol) Bramschreiber and many nieces, nephews and relatives.  Daughter Cindy (Pat Yirkovsky) Wright, with grandchildren Aaron (Becky) Wright and Jason Wright, and great-grandchildren Darcin, Owen, and Aspen; daughter Colleen (John) Thompson, with grandchildren Derek (Jess) Thompson and Nathan (Ashley) Thompson and great-grandchildren Landon, Caleb, Jack and Parker; son Todd Bramschreiber, with grandchildren Zachary (Blake) Bramschreiber, Emily (Peter) Schrankler, Olivia (Adam Langford) Bramschreiber, and Ali (Caleb) Hurt, with great-grandchild Oliver; son Jeff (Mary) Bramschreiber with grandchildren Casandra (Bryce) Crocker, Taylor Bramschreiber, and Alec (Hannah) Bramschreiber, with great-grandchildren Addison, Kensington, Bryson, Maaran, Emerson, and Avery; daughter Beth (Todd) Koehne, with grandchildren Ashley (Rick) Kust, Mitchell (Stephanie) Koehne, Kelsey (Brian) Burkel, Drew Koehne, with great-grandchildren Layla, Lennon, Harlow, River, Ellie, Memphis, Barrett, and Callen.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Susan and Walter, sister Grace and husband Milan Stiller, sister Lucille and husband Harold Marks, nephews Kenny Marks and Karl Bramschreiber, niece Mary Lemirande, sister-in-law Nancy and husband Jim Kellam, brother-in-law Al Barrett, and brother-in-law Jim (Patty) Barrett.

The family thanks Bailey, Kelly, Lori and all the staff of Unity Hospice as well as Amanda from Comfort Keepers for the care and compassion shown to Sonny during his final days.  You are all truly angels here on earth.

Friends and family with gather at St. Pius Catholic Church, at 1211 County J, Little Suamico from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 7; Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m.  Sonny will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery at a later date. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that friends and family consider a donation to Unity Hospice, a 501(c)(3) organization in memory of Sonny Bramschreiber at www.unityhospice.org.