Brandy Bargender

A beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, fiancé, niece, cousin, and friend; Brandy Nicole Bargender, 29, left the world unexpectedly on December 4th, 2021. Brandy was born to Todd Bargender and Lisa Heisler in Wausau, WI June of 1992. She grew up in Hatley, WI and was a graduate of Mosinee High School. Brandy was in her dream job as an amazing full-time Mother to her beloved baby son, Bowen Zastrow, and was living the happiest years of her life raising Bowen with his father, her soul mate, and soon to be husband, Ethan Zastrow.

Brandy was blessed to grow up and live with a wonderfully close and loving family with beautiful land in the country. She grew up riding 4-wheelers, defying gravity on golf carts and playing Mario Brothers with her brother Cody and cousins, exploring the woods, playing at the family cabin, boating on the gorgeous waters of Wisconsin, taking family trips, and developing her robust sense of humor, love for silliness, animals, and conversation. Brandy loved riding Harley’s with her mother, camping with friends and family and having Christmas at the family cabin. Brandy held every friend she had very close to her heart and loved everyone she knew with all her heart. She’d talk to anyone and make you feel like you knew her forever after 15 minutes with her genuine warmth, authentic attention and infectious energy and smile. Brandy loved to spend a relaxing day on the couch with her fiancé, Ethan, snacking and watching a kid’s movie with Bowen. There was nothing Brandy loved more than being a mother. Brandy was an incredibly devoted and loving Mother to her son Bowen. Many have said they wished they would have taken lessons from her; she simply was a natural who gave 200% with pure joy. The positive, loving impact she was able to make on Bowen in such a short time will last in him forever. All whom loved her dearly will never forget her infectious smile, her loving and compassionate heart, her sense of humor and her beautiful soul.

Preceded in death by: Aunt Nicole “Nicki” Heisler, her best friend Cindy McGee, Grandparent Mark Bargender, Godmother and Aunt Judy Bargender and her beloved pets: Buck, Claude, Otis & Hemi

Survived by: Grandparents Richard and Gladys Heisler whom Brandy loved to chit chat, shop and spend time with; Father Todd Bargender whom Brandy loved dancing with on the boat, Todd’s partner SueAnn Scheibe, Mother and best friend, Lisa Heisler, whom Brandy rarely went a day not speaking to and shared all of her thoughts, hopes and dreams with; Lisa’s finance Rick Kotecki, her baby boy, Bowen Zastrow, who changed her life and filled her world with love and joy, Ethan Zastrow, her fiancé, soul mate, and love of her life; future in-laws Al and Lisa Zastrow whom Brandy was looking forward to calling Mom and Dad; Cody Bargender, whom she was a wonderful big sister to and friend; Jolene Heisler her Auntie Jo whom she loved dearly; step-Aunt Vicki Layde, step-brother Chandler Kotecki, cousin Nicole Lane, Grandparent Donna Dean, Uncle Alan and Aunt Kathy Bargender, Godfather and Uncle Scott Bargender and wife Laurie, Aunt Sandy and husband Randy Leszczynski, 7 Bargender first cousin: Nicholas, Tracy, Samantha, Jason, Curtis, Katie and Kimberly and her beloved canine friend Milo.

Please join us for visitation Sunday, December 12th at Brainard Funeral Home-Everest Chapel from 11:00 am-3:00 pm located at 5712 Memorial Ct., Weston, WI. Funeral service will begin at 3:00pm where friends are encouraged to share their memories of Brandy with her family. Brandy will be buried in a private service for immediate family and close friends at St. Ladislaus Church, 173141 State Highway 153, Hatley, WI December 13th at 11:00am.