Dennis W. Brager
1951-2022
Dennis W. Brager, 71 of Gilman, died on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022 at Aspirus Hospital-Wausau.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 at New Hope Presbyterian Church-Hannibal, Pastor Beverly Thompson officiated. Burial followed in Meadowbrook Cemetery-Gilman. Visitation was held one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
He was born on July 8, 1951 in River Falls the son of the late Kenneth and Marian (Neuhaus) Brager. Dennis grew up south of Gilman, attended Gilman Public Schools, was a member of the Gilman FFA and Gilman High School wrestling team and graduated from Gilman High School in 1971.
Dennis was a skilled worker and was employed by many local businesses including: Gilman Tractor and Implement Dealership, Drangel’s Cheese Factory of Gilman, EJ Dairy of Thorp, Ray’s Body Shop, Romig’s Hardware in Gilman, Gilman Movie Theatre, Town of Aurora Recycling Center and Black River Industries in Medford. Dennis especially enjoyed helping friends and neighbors with haymaking, stacking wood, snow shoveling and countless other ways!
Dennis had many interests including watching and attending sports events: Green Bay Packers (Brett Favre) and Brewer’s Baseball, NASCAR racing (Jeff Gordon). As kids growing up with Dennis we enjoyed so many family times together: playing together, softball games and “500” on the front lawn, swimming, fishing, bareback riding on our Shetland pony (Smokey), playing with our dogs (Lady and Junior), watching/feeding birds, watching trains passing nearby on the RR track (counting cars, listening for train whistles…), wrestling and target practice with brothers, hunting for deer, driving car/tractor for floats during Gilman parades (fall festival, homecoming), deer hunting, swimming, fishing, family camping trips, bowling (Romig’s Bowling team). He enjoyed watching TV (sports, reruns of Westerns (Gunsmoke, Bonanza) and Game Shows (Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Let’s Make a Deal). Dennis had a beautiful and resonant voice! He loved singing hymns in church, Western music (Alan Jackson and Merle Haggard) and particularly enjoyed recorded music and live performances by Irish singer Danny O’Donnell. Our brother Dennis (“Denny” to friends) was a warm, gentle and caring person, friend to countless people (more than we will ever know). He had a gift of friendship, made new friends easily and constantly remained connected with his many friends. He knew their interests, what was important to each of them and remained their loyal, devoted friend for life! Our family has learned from his friends that “Nobody doesn’t love Denny,” “He has a Heart of Gold” and “He would give the shirt off his back to anyone.” Dennis has received Christ as his personal savior and is now in Heaven, reunited with his dear Mom and Dad, walking the streets of Gold, joyfully and freely singing with multitudes of Angels.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents.
Dennis is survived by his siblings, Beverly (Douglas) Hughes of Owatonna, Minn., Larry Brager and David Brager both of Gilman and Steven (Patricia) Brager of Arlington, Wash., his Aunt Millie, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Paid Obituary 129450
