Dale Wayne Brunner, age 67 years of Jackson, passed away on August 12, 2014 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was born October 27, 1946 in Milwaukee to Wilbur and Winnie Brunner. He married Betty (nee King) on August 10, 1968.

Dale is a US Army Veteran with the 82nd Airborne “Red Devils”. Dale was a Milwaukee Police Officer for 31 years and served as a Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy for 10 years. His passion for his family and children lead to his devotion to charitable work. Most notably, he was the first Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. He has played a leadership role and “carried the flame of hope” on a local, national and international level. The Torch Run Hall of Fame Award was established in Dale’s honor in 1999. Dale was also selected as the recipient of the International Torch Run Hall of Fame Award by Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Dale was also a founding member and one-time Vice President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Most recently he also began work with Brain Cancer Research and a foundation has been established in his name.

Dale is survived by his wife and best friend of 46 years Betty (King) and Children Robert (fiancé Leah), Kelly (John) Swartz, Kate (Daniel) Carroll. He was blessed to be “Papa” of Teagan and Brooklyn Carroll and Johnny and Brock Swartz. He is further survived by his mother Winnie, mother-in-law Betty King, brother Larry and brother-in laws Harvey (Wendy) King, Tim (Lois) King, Kevin (Diana) King, Shawn (Judi) King, Terry King, Michael King and Claudia King McWilliams (Tommy) and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his father Wilbur and father in-law Harvey King.

A Mass celebrating Dale’s life will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday, August 18, 2014 at Holy Angels Catholic Church (138 N. 8th Ave., West Bend) with Father Gerald Brittain presiding. Mass will be immediately followed by Dale’s Final Leg Run then culminating in the celebration of Dale’s life at Lac Lawrann Conservancy. Everyone is invited to participate in Dale’s final run and celebration. Visitation will be at the CHURCH ONLY on Monday, August 18 from 9:00 am until time of mass (12:00 pm). Memorials are appreciated to the Dale Brunner Memorial Fund.

The Brunner family would like to thank the staff and physicians of Kathy Hospice, Alden Estates of Jefferson and Cedar Lake Home for their compassionate care during this cancer fight especially Dr Jennifer Connolly and her entire care team at the Kraemer Cancer Center.

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