Charles R. Brabant

Charles R. Brabant, age 90, of Sparta, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. He was born on November 27, 1935, to Frank and Anna (Sanders) Brabant.

Charles attended Franklin School in La Crosse. Along with his four brothers, he shared many stories of the mischief they got into as typical boys, memories that were fondly recalled throughout his life.

Following in the footsteps of his father and his brother, Frank Jr., Charles joined the United States Navy in 1952. He proudly served aboard the USS Midway.

After his military service, Charles married Mary Arnold. Together they had two children, Bob and Sue, and lived in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Charles worked at American Motors in Kenosha, and in 1968 the family moved to Sparta, where they purchased a home in the country.

Charles worked at several factories in the area before beginning his career at Fort McCoy, where he remained until his retirement in 1996.

An avid deer hunter, Charles enjoyed hunting until his health no longer allowed it. Some of his physical ailments were jokingly attributed to years of cutting firewood with his best friend, Denny Olsen. Together, the two cut enough wood to “heat the state of Wisconsin for years.” Even as health challenges slowed him down, Charles rarely missed his nearly daily trips to Walmart, where he enjoyed stopping to say hello to the ladies.

Charles will be deeply missed by many and fondly remembered for years to come. His sense of humor was unmatched, and his passing leaves a hole that can never be filled.

Charles is survived by his children, Robert Brabant and Susan Olsen; one grandchild; many nieces and nephews; his former wife, with whom he remained friends; his sister-in-law, Peggy Brabant; and his best friend, “Cat.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Brabant; his brothers, Frank Jr., David, Doug, and Daryl; and his sister, Beverly Becker.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with Justin Arnold officiating. Burial, with full military honors provided by VFW Post 2112 and American Legion Post 100 both of Sparta, will take place in Farmers Valley Cemetery, rural Sparta.

Family and friends are invited to visitation from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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