Deborah A. Brockhaus

Deborah Ann Brockhaus (Adelmeyer) was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, step-mom, and grandmother. She went to be with Jesus the morning of Friday, August 2, 2024, surrounded by her husband and family. She was 62 years old.

Debi was born in Beaver Dam on May 31, 1962, to Arlene Obrion (Kranz) and Stanley Adelmeyer. She was also raised by Margaret and Hubert Schraufnagel, who took her in at their family farm in Leroy. Those were some of her fondest memories. As a child, Debi loved to laugh with her sisters and aunt Pam, who often got into mischief altogether. Jenny Kuhn was an important mother figure to Debi as well, who helped guide her through adolescence.

A remarkable artist gifted with colors, Debi most enjoyed drawing. In her younger years she was a certified open water diver and liked to skydive. In winter months she followed the sun south, where she liked to walk in the surf on sandy beaches.

Debi married Stuart Rentsch in October 1993; they were together nine years. She was step-mom to his three sons Austin, Darrell, and Garrett, who remember her as caring and kind, gentle and understanding, selfless and soft-spoken. They went camping and spent time at the cottage on Lake Winnebago.

In 2011 Debi and Bradley Brockhaus found one another. They married November 27, 2022. Debi and Bradley stayed closer to home, visiting Door County and Port Washington. Seeing Eagles brought her the most joy. Debi was skilled at Sheepshead and later in shaking dice with “a cold one.” Scallops at Salty’s in Fond du Lac and fish fry at Chance’s in Burnett were her favorite meals.

Debi helped Bradley maintain 150 acres of woods and prairie in the township of Burnett, to include spring grass-burning and searching for shed antlers. Her greatest treasures were the wildflowers and wildlife. She relished gardening, even and especially weed-pulling, which she regarded as therapeutic. Debi and Bradley most loved to watch deer and cardinals with their morning coffee by the fire. She also loved cats, nurturing each one she cared for. The love was mutual and they surrounded her all her life.

A graduate of Lomira High School in 1980, Debi attended UW Fond du Lac for two years. She later spent 28 years at Mayville Engineering Company (MEC) as an assembly lead and customer service representative. Debi was known for her honesty and integrity. Debi was compassionate, loving, and big-hearted. A steadfast Christian with faith that only ever grew, she rarely angered and never complained. Reading the Bible was her solace and Psalm 119, verse 105, her most cherished passage: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Debi is survived by her husband Brad; parents Stanley Adelmeyer; Arlene (Russ) Obrion, and Jenny (Bill) Kuhn; father and mother-in-law Ken and Elaine Brockhaus; brothers and sisters: Pat (Gary) Oelke, Jay Adelmeyer (Jen Sellnow), Jodie (Geoff Baumhardt), Jeff Adelmeyer (Lindsay Lovell), Jim Obrion, Jeana Benzine (Sheldon), Jenny Ziedler (Steve Krueger), and Jeff Obrion (Andrea). Debi is also survived by her stepchildren Austin (Summer) Rentsch, Darrell (Bethany) Rentsch, and Garrett Rentsch (Rachel Rohloff), as well as Ryan (Katie) Moravec and Melissa Moravec. She is further survived by her grandchildren – Zaria Haseleu, Julian Rentsch, Hailey and Luke Moravec – who she loved deeply; brother and sisters-in-law: Lori (Joe) Kowalkowski and Mike (Heather) Brockhaus; alongside numerous nieces and nephews.

Debi is preceded in death by her sister, Julie Adelmeyer, and her nephew and godson, Ryan J. Webb. She is also preceded by her grandparents, Monica and Jack Adelmeyer and Carl and Doris Kranz. Debi’s beloved aunts, Donna Hanke and Renee Batzler, Bob and Joyce Staerzl preceded her, too.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Lomira with Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Miniatt presiding. Visitation for Debi will be on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. at the church.

A memorial has been established at St Mary’s in lieu of flowers.