Loretta Brickner

Loretta Mae Brickner, age 78 of Ellsworth passed away May 24, 2022 at United Hospital in St. Paul. Loretta was born October 29, 1943 in Redwing, Minnesota; the daughter of Bernard and Marie (Wirth) Armbruster. She attended St. Mary’s Big River parochial school prior to graduating from the Ellsworth High School. She loved growing up on a family farm, doing her chores while at the same time instilling a work ethic that would follow her the rest of her life. On July 18, 1961, she would be united in marriage to Jerome Brickner at the St Mary’s Big River Catholic Church of rural River Falls. This union was blessed with five children.

She loved being a mom and spending time with the love of her life Jerome.
So many memories were created while camping at the O’Neil Creek campground with their fifth wheel. Bonfires, bobber fishing and nature walks were all part of the fun. Later, they made more memories at their lake home on Staples Lake in Burnet County. She could give Annie Oakley a run for her money. She enjoyed deer hunting and no squirrel was safe, as she loved to dress them out and make a feast for the family. She also enjoyed a day on the golf course, playing bridge with her card friends, and occasional trip to the casino to try her hand on the slot machines. Furthermore, when she got the chance, some quiet time reading a Danielle Steele book was very rewarding. She was so very proud of being a school bus driver for the Ellsworth School District for 40 years. She was a devout member of the Catholic faith and has been active with the St. Francis Parish Council of Catholic Women group serving funeral lunches and other ministries within the church. Loretta was always a giving person throughout her life all the way to the end by the incredibly selfless act of anatomical donations.

She will always remain in the heart of her family; husband Jerome; children: Valerie (Alan) Przybylski Chippewa Falls, Randy (Julie) Brickner of Ellsworth, Theresa (Dan) Thom of Ellsworth, Joanie (Robert) Heacox of Eau Claire, John Brickner of Ellsworth. Eight grandchildren: Josh (Darla) Przybylski, Tracy Crosby, Brianne (Ben) Gaard, Jake Brickner (Shannon), Brandon (Jenna) Thom, Travis (Sarah) Thom, Emmarie (Carlton) Lokken, Alec Heacox; Great grandchildren: Max, Ellie, Sophie, Camille, Mykenna, Landyn, Matthew, Graciella, Clint, Clare, Lacey Mae, and Mabel; siblings: David Armbruster, Mary Jane (Dennis) Kees, Patsy (Steve) Linehan and many other special relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, parents–in-law John (Marie) Brickner, and sister/brother-in-law Diane (Leroy) Brenner.

Mass of Christian burial for Loretta Brickner will be 2:00pm, Saturday, May 28, 2022 at St. Francis Catholic Parish: 231 W. Woodworth St, Ellsworth, WI 54011. A Visitation will be from 11:00am to 2:00pm prior to Mass at St. Francis. Interment at a later date will be in the parish cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family.

Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralservices.com, 715-273-4421