Melvin Herbrand

Melvin L. Herbrand, Waunakee WI

Mel Herbrand, age 91, a proud WWII Veteran, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend peacefully passed away on Thurs Aug 11, 2016 at a Madison Hospital

He was born: September 14, 1924 to Anton & Frances Herbrand, on Herbrand Road in Roxbury township, in Dane County, WI. Mel was one of eleven children and went to school at St. Norberts in Roxbury, WI. Mel was drafted into the army in July 1943 and volunteered for paratrooper training in Fort Benning, GA , then on to Auxierre France and joined the 13th Airborne, which became part of the 82nd Airborne, and after two close calls with jumps in Germany and Japan, he got his orders to go home in June 1945. Mel proudly displayed his ETO (European Theater of Operations) ribbon with 2 stars (for two alerted jumps) in his shadow box in his living room. After the war, Mel worked on a farm and then at Oconomowoc Canning company's Waunakee plant.

Mel married Casey Ziegler in 1947, and the next year they moved to Main Street in Waunakee. In 1957 Mike Simon built them a house on North Division Street. He & Casey had 8 children, three of whom are veterans: Brian in Desert Shield/Storm and 13 years Army Reserve, Rick was Active Army and Full Time Army Reserve, and Jack was Active Army during the Vietnam War. Mel also has 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was commander for the Waunakee Legion Post 360 in 1966, was Sergeant at Arms, and the Legion's bar manager for many years. Memorial Day had long been a favorite holiday for Mel and his family - the parade, roll call, a few refreshments, a nice lunch, and a game of softball. Mel was also a Knights of Columbus member, and donated 9 gallons of blood - a small repayment to the American Red Cross for their kindness when he was overseas. Mel retired after 38 years at Stokely, then worked another 10 years at Germania including 8 years with Meals on Wheels before officially retiring.

Mel lost his wife Casey after 56 years of marriage to cancer in 2004, and their son Jim died as a result of a car accident in 1966. Mel leaves behind to cherish many great memories, his family: Jack & Leslie Herbrand, Katie, Damien, Taylor, and Aubrey; Dan Herbrand & Cheryl O'Keefe, Danielle, Kristopher & Katie & Sloane; Rick & Kathy Herbrand, Michael, Michelle, and Amanda; Diane Herbrand, George, and Ava; Marie Lange and Tighe Bronaugh, Samantha, Cidney, and Maxim; Mag & John Larson; and Brian Herbrand & Kim Olson, Josh, Karissa, and Adam; In-laws: Lucy Herbrand, Marge & Vic Piffl, Ken & Aggie Endres, Joe Ziegler, Don Heyroth, and Jerry Haglund; as well as many other close family and good friends.

A special thanks to Drs. Dowling and Thompson at the Dean Clinic Waunakee for all of their care when Mel had a mild stroke in February 2009 and since; Dr. Matsumura and his team at the UW Hospital for saving Mel's life in January 2013 with emergency AAA surgery; the staff at St. Mary's Hospital and Comfort Keepers; and our sincere thanks & appreciation to Sarah Thoman from Excellence in Care for her amazing care & friendship the past 3 � years.

We will truly miss Mel's sense of humor and wit, cheering on the Packers, Badgers and Brewers, and the trips with him to the Roxbury Tavern for Roxburgers and to the Waun-a-bowl for Waunaburgers. He will also be missed at the Herbrand & Ziegler family reunions.

Dad, you were an amazing Father and you are an outstanding role model. Rest in peace, you've earned it.

Funeral services will be held at St. John the Baptist Church 209 South St in Waunakee on Tuesday Aug, 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends may call at the church on Tues. from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. John the Baptist church in Waunakee, WI.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, WI