Kenneth Brachmann, age 94, a resident of Manitowoc, entered into eternal life on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers.

Ken was born on July 7, 1916 in Manitowoc to the late Adolph and Eva Leschke Brachmann. He attended St. Boniface Parochial School and Manitowoc Lincoln High School. On February 14, 1942 Ken married Grace Surfus at the former Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Manitowoc. Ken had served in the United States Army from November 7, 1942 until his honorable discharge on January 16, 1946. During the majority of his service, he was stationed in the Pacific during World War II. Upon his return, Ken worked as a burner for Manitowoc Shipbuilding. He then went on to work at UW Manitowoc as a maintenance supervisor. During his retirement, Ken and Grace spent their winters taking road trips throughout the southern United States spending most of their time in Texas with friends. Ken enjoyed spending his time fishing, hunting, trips to the casino (where he was very lucky), and being with his family and friends. Kenneth was a member St. Francis of Assisi in Manitowoc, the Eagles Club, and a lifelong member of AMVETS Post 99.

Survivors include Ken's wife of 67 years: Grace, Manitowoc; one daughter: Bonnie Hammes, Reedsville; one son: Arthur Brachmann, Nashville, TN; three grandsons: Donald Knuth, Manitowoc; Steven (Tracy) Knuth, Manitowoc; and Seth Hammes, Mayville; two great grandchildren: Taylor and Ayden; one niece: Eva Dean Weinold, Hawaii; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law: George (Helen) Surfusand Teresa Brachmann; also other relatives and friends. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Bernice Carden; three brothers: Ralph, Orville, and Florian; and one son-in-law: Graham Hammes.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Monday, January 17, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo from 10 am until the beginning of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. The Rev. Dan Viertel will officiate with interment of Ken's cremated remains to take place at Calvary Mausoleum at a later date. Military rites will be accorded by AMVETS Post 99.

Ken's family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staffs of Aurora Medical Center and Shady Lane Nursing Care Center for the care and compassion they provided to both Ken and his family.