Shirley J. Brunette

Shirley J. Brunette, 83, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, passed away on July 18, 2026 surrounded by her loving family following a two-year battle with cancer.

Shirley was born on June 24, 1943 in Manitowoc, the sixth and youngest child of Norbert and Lydia (Eichhorst) Kumbalek. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1961 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree, graduating magna cum laude from Holy Family College in 1965. On May 6, 1967, Shirley married Jerome J. Brunette, Jr. at St. Boniface Church in De Pere. Jerry preceded her in death in 1998. They spent the first years of their marriage in Germany, where Jerry was stationed at the Wasserkuppe Air Force Radar Station near Fulda. During that time, she taught at the American School and was confirmed in the Catholic Church at Fulda Cathedral.

Shirley was a lifelong educator and learner. She began her career in 1965 in the public school system in Kaukauna, teaching a class of 30 first graders in a basement classroom. After taking time to raise her three children, she returned to the classroom in 1986 with the Catholic elementary school system in Fond du Lac; she taught second grade and all-day kindergarten. Shirley retired at the end of the 1999–2000 school year, but she remained a teacher at heart, sharing her knowledge and practical skills with family and friends. Shirley kept her mind sharp through German, writing, and other enrichment classes at the Senior Center, traveling to numerous countries and states, playing cribbage and cards, sewing, scrapbooking, and devoting countless hours to quilting for the St. Agnes Hospital Volunteer Service.

Shirley will be remembered for her faith, fierce determination, and quiet generosity. For many years, she was an active parishioner of St. Patrick's Parish and helped run the White Elephant stand at the church festival. She shared her talents and found great joy in preserving family traditions. Shirley passed those traditions to her children and grandchildren, making family gatherings meaningful through cherished recipes, thoughtful decorations, and a warm home.

Shirley is survived by her three children, Greg (Anne) Brunette, Christine (Kelly) Muck, and Matthew Brunette (Teri Nuerge), four grandchildren, Elizabeth (Shep) Griswold, Joseph Brunette, Josh Brunette (Kate Anderson), and Teresa Brunette, great-granddaughter Margaret Clair Griswold, sister Lois (Steve) Loveless, life-long friend Carol Manning, and other dear relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Norbert and Lydia Kumbalek, Janice (Dale) Reinemann (her sister), and three brothers, Harold (Mary Ann), Richard (Ellen), and John (Carol Jane) Kumbalek.

A visitation for Shirley will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 4th Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI. Her Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions honoring her may be made to Holy Family Catholic Community, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI 54937; Hospice Home of Hope via the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, 430 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935; or St. Mary’s Springs Academy, 255 County Rd K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com