Joseph "Joe" W. Brunner, age 65, a Manitowoc resident, passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday evening, April 22, 2023.

He was born on February 20, 1958, in Manitowoc, son of the late William and Nina (Smith) Brunner. Joe graduated from Valders High School in 1976, where he participated in Band and FFA, and was an avid football, wrestling and track & field athlete – holding records in both discus and shot put for many years. On December 30, 2012, he married Amy Moss-Stegall. For most of Joe's life, he worked in carpentry and construction, both as an owner and operator of Brunner Distributing in Manitowoc, and later he worked on projects such as Miller Park, Chicago skyscrapers and renovations at Lambeau Field – where he could also be found working on the field during games. In addition, Joe had worked as a millwright, a leather crafter and was passionate about helping people as a hypnotherapist. He loved to spend time coaching high school track & field, at both Reedsville and Denmark High Schools. Later in life, Joe continued to enjoy woodworking and building things, vegetable gardening, collecting mushrooms, fishing and doting on his wife and grandchildren.

Joseph is survived by his wife: Amy; his children: Dustin Tadych, Rachel Brunner (Jan Krysa), North Carolina, Nathan Brunner, De Pere, Joey Brunner (Fiancée Melanie Kulas), Virginia, Ben Brunner, Two Rivers, and Elizabeth Brunner (Joseph Johnson), Georgia; stepchildren: Robert (Nikki) Stegall, Cudahy, Wisconsin, Shawn (Emilie) Stegall, Hobart, Wisconsin, Tania (Chris) Yindra, Manitowoc, and Jason Fischer, Manitowoc; six grandchildren: Margot, Gordon, Inga, Grant, Lincoln, and Zion; his beloved dog Diesel; three siblings: Bill (Rosie) Brunner, Manitowoc, Patty (Paul) Olmsted, Lakewood, Wisconsin, and Karen Howard, Wausau, Wisconsin; one brother-in-law: Peter Wagner; one sister-in-law: Diane Brunner; and the mother of his children: Christine Sweetman. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepson: Chip Fischer; one sister: Mary Wagner; one brother: Thomas Brunner; brother-in-law: Kurt Howard; and one nephew: Michael Brunner.

At Joe's request, cremation has occurred at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory, Manitowoc, and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, 628 North Water Street, Manitowoc. The service of remembrance will be led by Lisa Novachek. The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Following the service, a luncheon will be held for family and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, located on the southside property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family to help cover unexpected final expenses.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com .

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory of Manitowoc, is assisting the Brunner family with funeral arrangements.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Manitowoc Rescue as well as the trauma team at Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers, for the care and effort shown to Joe and his family.