Donald Bruendl

Donald A. Bruendl, age 87, of Green Lake, WI, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2018, at Prairie Place in Ripon.

Don was born September 10, 1930, in Port Washington, WI, the son of Joseph and Marcella (Buchholz) Bruendl. He graduated from Port Washington High School in 1948. Don then enlisted in the United States Army. He took his basic training with the 101st Airborne, Army Ordinance School in Baltimore, Maryland. From January 1949 until September 1952, he served his country as a Master Sergeant with the 127th Infantry with the occupation forces in Germany during the Korean War. When he returned, Don worked as Unit Administrator with the Hq 127th Infantry National Guard in Ripon for the next three years.

On October 15, 1955, Don married Joan Henning in Ripon. Then he served as Vice President and sales person for Van Metres, Inc. auto dealership in Ripon until 1964 when he became owner and operator of Bruendl Pontiac Buick, Inc. until 1972.

Don served Green Lake County in numerous ways. He worked as special deputy with the Sheriff’s Department and 10 years part-time with DNR local warden. He was a member of the Riot Squad and a radio operator and Jailer, investigator for the county, Tri-County drug enforcement and Undersheriff. Don was elected sheriff in 1987, a position from which he retired in 1992.

Don was a member of many avenues. He was director and life member of Wisconsin Rifle Pistol Association, as well as team captain of Wisconsin State Civilian Rifle Team. He was a member of the Green Lake Rotary Club and served his term as president and was awarded the “Paul Harris Fellow” award, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Izaak Walton League of America and Ripon Rifle and Pistol Club as well as Green Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officer’s Association and Wisconsin Sheriff’s and Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

He won many awards for rifle shooting including Distinguished Marksman. Don won the US Civilian High Powered Rifle Championship in 1963, the National Guard High Powered Rifle Championship in 1958 and the State Rifle Championship in 1963.

Don loved hunting and fishing, especially in Montana and Alaska.

Survivors include close friends, Jane and Shane Kollin of Ripon, WI; Don’s special helper, Kathy Ratering of Green Lake, WI; a cousin of Port Washington, WI and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Henning of New Glarus, WI. Don was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Marcella Bruendl; wife, Joan Bruendl; mother and father-in-law, Herbert and Myrtle Henning, brother-in-law, Kenneth Henning.

Visitation for Donald will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at American Legion Post 306, 518 Water St., Green Lake, WI 54971.

Celebration of Life for Donald will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at 2:00 pm at American Legion Post 306 in Green Lake Full Military Honors following the service. A private interment will take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Port Washington, WI. Memorials may be directed to Green Lake Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 86, Green Lake, WI 54941 or American Legion Post 306, P.O. Box 448, Green Lake, WI 54941.


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