Deane H. Brabender, age 74, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Lake Wisconsin on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.  Deane was born Feb. 16, 1949 to the late Bernard and Cecilia (Meier) Brabender.  Deane was a graduate of Wisconsin Heights High School; class of 1968.  Following High School; Deane operated his own excavation business, clearing lots, farm fields and right of ways.  He also worked as a carpenter in residential construction for himself and a few other local builders.  His attention to detail could be seen in his finish carpentry skills; he later went on to work at the Madison School District as a carpenter and maintenance worker until he was injured on the job in the mid 1990's

Deane met Kathy Burkard while working as a Draftsman in the shipyards at Sturgeon Bay; they married in Green Bay in Oct. 1977.  Deane and Kathy settled on Lake Wisconsin, just outside of Prairie du Sac to raise their children and opened their home to 32 foster children.  Dean saw this as his job and it kept him on his toes.  As a young man, Deane was athletic and enjoyed sports, playing baseball football, and basketball.  He loved his time outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and of course cheering on his favorite Wisconsin Sports Teams.  Deane was able to fix just about anything in his neat and organized garage, from the windmill at home, to helping out his friends, he was a jack of all trades.  He was also a creature of habit; and in the past, frequented the Eagle Inn sometimes more than once daily.    Living on the lake, he enjoyed pontoon rides with his family; but somehow was terrified of the water if it was more than waist deep. His quick wit, humor and smart quips and his enjoyment of PBR and Brandy will be remembered by his family.

Deane is survived by his wife, Kathy; his children, Clayton Brabender, Kelsey (Nik) Newgard; foster son, Tom Tourdot; grandson, Landon Dean Brabender; siblings, Darrell Brabender, Cheryl Lucey, Karyn (Alan) Lord; in-laws, Jeanine Stewart, and  Bonnie (Tom) Zelzer.  He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Eugene Brabender, Caryl Zander, Charlene Furda, his longtime high school buddy, Denny Aeschlimann; and his "shadow" and beloved golden retriever, Buck.

A visitation for Deane will be held at Hooverson Funeral Home, 251 Water St., Sauk City on Jan. 3rd, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 1:00- tree planting and toast at 3:00. At our lake house at E12030 Sunset Drive, PDS. come share memories, laughs, tears, and celebrate Deane's life.

as Deane often said, "thanks for stopping by."