Carl W. Brunkow

Carl Brunkow was born on Nov 5, 1933 to Romie and Clara Brunkow on a farm near Pepin, WI.  Carl attended Sunday School and Church at the Pepin Methodist Church from early childhood.  He became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ when he was 11 years old, but really dedicated his life to the Lord at age 17 because of the teaching and example of his High School Coach.

Carl met Anita Fitzsimons when he was 22 years old and the couple was married about 1 year later at the Evangelical Free Church outside of Pepin, WI.  They spent the first 3 years farming.  He then worked for Dairyland Power for a year before moving to Eau Claire to work for Howard Juliot as a carpenter for 12 years.  He then started his own construction company, which he named Brunkow Builders and continued building for 26 years.  His son, Lance Brunkow, joined him in the business and continues it today. Carl retired in 1999.

During his building years, Carl was one of three men who became the primary builders of the Bethesda Lutheran Church on Hamilton Avenue in Eau Claire.  Bethesda was his church home from 1960-present.  During those years, he led youth group, taught Sunday School, served on the Trustee Board and Elder Board.

After retiring, Carl and Anita spent the next 20 winters at a retirement park in Pharr, TX where he lead a men's bible study, played golf and pool and enjoyed fellowship with many friends.

In his later years he highly valued his morning breakfasts with close friends, and enjoyed regularly playing pool at the Senior Center and watching the Packers and Badgers.

He is survived by his wife, Anita, and his four children, Todd Brunkow, Lance (Lori) Brunkow, Michelle (Matt) Stowe all of Eau Claire, WI and Jenai (Ken) Erickson of Kuna, ID.  Carl has 8 grandchildren, Halie (Jesse) Stock, Molly (Kevin) Frank, Sawyer (Solveig) Brunkow, Megan (Peter) Sawall, Emily Stowe, Jeffers Erickson, Matthew Erickson, Nathan Erickson, and 7 great grandchildren.  Also, one brother Norm (Kathy) Brunkow.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Richard Longsdorf, and an infant sister.  

A Memorial Service for Carl will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 123 W Hamilton Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701. You can watch the Carl's Funeral LiveStream [HERE]. Carl will be laid to rest at Rest Haven Cemetery at a later date.

The family expresses appreciation to the caregivers at St Croix Hospice and the staff at Bethesda Lutheran Church.

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