Barbara Brantner

COTTAGE GROVE-Barbara Joan (Emberts, Running) Brantner passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday October 7, 2017, at her residence in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Alfred and Lona Emberts, born on May 1, 1934, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She grew up on Eau Claire's north side graduating from Eau Claire High School in the spring of 1952. She married Carter A. Running on November 29, 1952, and together they had three children, daughter, Debra and two sons, Steven and Brian. They later divorced in 1974; and she remarried in the summer of 1986 to George F. Brantner from Arkansas, Wisconsin.

Over her career life, she was an Avon representative, worked at Presto Industries, was a cook at North High School in Eau Claire and, for 25 years, was a CNA and Director of Activities at three nursing homes in Northwest Wisconsin. She had such compassion and respect for all the residents she cared for and always encouraged them to do as much as they could to maintain their quality of life which also included an occasional fishing trip. She lived in many places throughout her life with living on the prairie south of Durand and in the Northwoods by Siren being her two favorite places.

She was a kind-hearted soul and would always light up a room with her humor, her smiles, and a sprinkling of sarcasm thrown in for good measure. She always used the phrase, "God loves you and so do I". Her most enjoyable time was spent with her family, especially her three great-grandchildren, who referred to her as "Grandma GG". She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, quilting, gardening, bowling, playing cards, long walks, and enjoyed hunting and fishing with her late husband.

She is survived by her daughter, Debra (Dale) Bauerkemper; granddaughter, Rian (Brian) Uelmen; great-grandchildren, Brady, Blake and Sloane; her brothers, David Emberts, Mike (Betty) Emberts, and Tom (Bonnie) Emberts; her sisters, Shirley Anderl and Pat (Gene) Moe; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Connie and Joe Tuschl. She is preceded in death by her husband, George; sons, Steven and Brian Running; granddaughter, Jamie Bauerkemper; parents, Alfred and Lona; sister-in-law, Shirley (David) Emberts; brother-in-law, Herb (Shirley) Anderl; niece, Sue (Emberts) Roberts; and nephew, Scott Emberts.

A Visitation will be held at Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, Wisconsin from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 on Saturday, October 21, 2017, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 noon. Interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire, Wisconsin at a later date.

The family expresses a special thank you to all the staff at Aster Assisted Living, Heartland Hospice, and Oak Park Rehabilitation for her care.

Winn-Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
5785 Highway Q
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608)849-4513