Judy Brotzel

Judy Brotzel, age 72, resident of Milbank, died on February 17, 2018, at Valley View Home Care.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 21, at 2:00 p.m. at Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank. Pastor John Hostettler will officiate. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 20, at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 5 -7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, one hour prior to the service at the church.

Judy (Tietjen) Brotzel was born on September 19, 1945, to Elmer and Sylvia (Green) Tietjen. Judy had seven siblings: Ione, Arlys, Dennis, Douglas, Ronnie, Lee and Dan “Duke”. She grew up in the Wilmot area and attended Garfield Township School #5 for her K – 8th grade years. She then attended Wilmot Public School and graduated with the class of 1963. After graduation, she stepped out of her comfort zone and moved to Minneapolis, MN, where she lived with seven other girls. She enjoyed her time there, but eventually moved back to the Milbank area and worked at Milbank Mutual.

Judy met her husband, Michael “Butch” Brotzel, and they were married on October 22, 1965, in Webster, SD. They were blessed with 38 years of marriage and had two daughters: Connie and Lori.

The family continued to reside on the family farm, but Judy worked outside the home at Milbank Mutual for ten years. Both she and Butch managed The Western Shop for eight years. Judy was also employed at Linda’s dress shop, Subway in Milbank, and did interior painting. Painting was very special to Judy, and she felt walls were not meant to be all white.

Judy took on a love for Harley’s. She made at least two trips to the Sturgis Rally and even camped out at Buffalo Chip. She loved to winter in Mission, Texas as a “snowbird” from November to April with her special friend, Dale Dornbusch. She would take her Harley along and would ride her scooter around town. She also liked her flowers and made sure that all her pots had fresh plants in them. Judy also loved to garden.

Judy was a member of Calvary Church in Milbank, where she enjoyed gathering with the ladies and offering a helping hand when needed.

Left to cherish her memories are her two daughters: Connie Brotzel of Summit, SD; and Lori (Tom) Schwind of Mascoutah, IL; two sisters: Ione Swedlund of Volga, SD; and Arlys (Ed) Kraft of Phoenix, AZ; three brothers: Dennis (Anne) Tietjen of Renner, MN; Douglas Tietjen of Corona, SD; and Ronnie Tietjen of Spearfish, SD; five grandchildren: Dustin (Talia) Sega of New Braden, IL; Adam (Tricia) Schwind of Lebanon, IL; Corrie Schwind of Katy, TX; Michael (Lacey) Olson of Milbank, SD; and Sam Olson of Port St. Lucia, FL; four great-grandchildren: Allison, Olivia, Michael, and Ezekiel; and Judy’s special friend, Dale Dornbusch and his loving family.

Preceding Judy in death are her husband, Butch; parents: Elmer and Sylvia; and brothers Lee Tietjen and Dan “Duke” Tietjen.