Raymond R. Brandl

Raymond Robert Brandl followed his beloved wife Mary into the afterlife shy of one short year following her death. He blessed his family and friends with another year of jokes, long-winded stories, trapshooting advice and generosity. He reminded all of us that the one thing we do not have in this life is enough time, so he spent it wisely by reconnecting with his friends and loved ones. Ray was known for his quick wit, sharp mind and stubbornness that was tempered with a kind and generous heart. All who knew him understood that although he might complain loudly about a certain situation, he was the first to extend his hand in help of another. He cared for his parents, his sisters, his best friend, and his wife who all preceded him in death. He commented that he hoped God would take him quick as he did not want to put his family through caregiving for the length of time that he had nurtured so many others. Indeed, it was just as he planned it, a quick passing. Ray was born in Butte, MT to Jack Leonard Brandl and Margaret Elizabeth (Trudell) Brandl on July 30, 1947. Ray attended local Catholic schools and graduated from Butte High School in 1965. He immediately volunteered for service in the US Air Force during Vietnam, entering into service in June of 1965. He achieved the rank of E4 Sargent before his honorable discharge. He returned to Butte following his military service and immediately pursued the love of his life, Mary Margaret Sternhagen, marrying her in July of 1970. Together, Mary and Ray raised two daughters, Rayelynn and Christina Brandl and four grandchildren. Ray spent his career in the electrical wholesale industry, working for Monitor Distributors, later managing Glacier State Electric and eventually retiring from WESCO in 2011. He was known by his colleagues and electrical contractors as the go-to guy who knew exactly what was needed for which job. He enjoyed his work, but he was anxious to retire in order to fully enjoy his passions of fly fishing and trapshooting. Ray pursued both hobbies with fervor, and spent numerous hours in the rivers surrounding Butte and at trap clubs throughout the state. Ray was a dedicated member of the Butte Trap Club, joining in 1970 and serving in either Board of Directors or Officer roles at the club for over 40 years. He was known as the ‘best trapshooting coach ever’ to many young people who pursued the sport, including many 4-H students. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents, Jack and Margaret Brandl, siblings Pam Reopelle and Carol Paige, mother in law Josephine Sternhagen, brother and sister in law Les and Beverly Jones, nephews Chris and Bobby Ranger, and niece Jackie Kerner Panion. Along with many beloved friends, Raymond is survived by his daughters Rayelynn Brandl, and Chris Brandl (Mark LaFond), grandchildren, Jack Walker, Jenna Walker, Eyvanna Connole, John (JC) Connole, nieces and nephews Shawn Jones, Teri Jones, Leanne Lucero, Kari Christensen, Kim Ranger, and Marcy Ranger. The family would like to acknowledge Bonnie Frazier, who helped him remember how to love life once again following our mom’s passing. We cannot thank you enough for the happiness you brought him these past months. Please join the family to celebrate his life with military honors on May 22, 2022 at 2pm at the Butte Trap Club, 70 Basin Creek Road. Memorials can be sent to: Shriner’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (c/o the Montana Tech Foundation).

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Raymond R. Brandl

July 30, 1947 - May 13, 2022