Brian Sengbusch, age 60, a resident of the Town of Bass Lake, Springbrook, Wisconsin, died at his home on Monday, June 24, 2019.

Brian was born on April 15, 1959, in Green Bay, Wisconsin to parents Roy and Shirley (Blohowiak) Sengbusch.  After graduating from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1977, he immediately enlisted in the US Army.  After serving 3 years, he was discharged for 9 months and then re-enlisted in 1981 for another 20 ½ years and retired as a Command Sargent Major in the 7th Cavalry at Ft. Hood Texas, in 2001.  4 years later, in 2005, he came out of retirement to serve with the Striker Battalion and would serve another 4 years, finally completing his military service at Ft. Benning, Georgia.  Brian had a long and distinguished military career spanning nearly 30 years and was a highly decorated veteran with many medals, ribbons and badges including:  
Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat Valor Device, Bronze Star Medal x 2, Meritorious Service Medal x 3, Army Commendation Medal x 3, Army Achievement Medal x 2, Joint Meritorious Service Award, Valorous Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal x 7, National Defense Service Medal x 2, Armed forces Expeditionary Medal x 2, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device and 20 year device,  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon x 4, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, Combat Infantry Badge x 2, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Canadian Parachutist Badge and Sudanese Parachutist Badge.

While still enlisted, he purchased a farm near his brother’s home in Bass Lake Township where in 2008, he retired to raise horses.  Brian was passionate about serving his community and helping veterans.  He was active in the Springbrook VFW Post 10568, where he served as Post Commander for 5 years and Quartermaster for 4 years.  He was also the Commander of the Springbrook Honor Guard for many years.  He was an advocate for Horse Spirit, a locally based program that uses horses as healers to help Veterans and their family members transition from military to civilian life.  He went from a participant to horse owner, then to President of Horse Spirit, which he held until his passing.  Brian believed in Horse Spirit and knew what a difference horses could make in the lives of Veterans.  He also took his love of horses and veterans out to Montana, volunteering 40 days for the past two summers to mentor and guide combat veterans through the western wilderness on horseback.

Brian is survived by his brothers and sisters: Keith (Gail) Sengbusch of Springbrook, WI, Bruce (Teri) Sengbusch of Green Bay, WI, Cyndi (Robert) Oliver of Tucson, AZ, Debi Lutzke of Plymouth, WI, nieces and nephews: Nina (Jeff) Gross, Nick (Anna) Sengbusch, Bliss Sengbusch, Casey (Sean) Levrich, Tara(Chris) Duwe, Christina Laurent, Ashley Little, great nieces and nephews: Zoe Sengbusch, Drake Sengbusch, Finnigan Gross, Levi Levrich, and Baby Colton Levrich.

Brian is preceded in death by his parents, and niece Jennifer.

Bearers: Tara Duwe, Nina Gross, Nick Sengbusch, Ashley Little, Bliss Sengbusch, Casey Levrich

Funeral services for Brian Sengbusch will be held on Monday, July 1, 2019, at 11am, at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 11am, with Military Honors.  Visitation will be on Sunday, June 30, 2019, from 4-7pm, at the Spooner Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 6:45 pm.

Last Update: Jun 28, 2019 10:56 am CDT