Obituary of Brian K. Albright

Brian K. Albright, age 41, of Vesper, WI passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 4, 2017 while on vacation in Florida.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 13 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids.  Rev. John Grohs and Rev. Jonathan Petzold will officiate.  Burial will be at Richfield Township Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 3:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Friday, May 12 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services on Saturday at the church.

Brian was born April 23, 1976 in Monroe, Wisconsin to Keith and Judy (Miller) Albright.  He grew up on a dairy farm in Arpin, Wisconsin.  He graduated from Marshfield High School in 1994.  After high school, Brian completed a short course in Dairy Science in Madison, Wisconsin and farmed for 7 years following.  In 2005 Brian became a patrolman with the Wood County Highway Department serving the Pittsville Area.

Brian married the love of his life, Sarah Slinkman on March 24, 2007 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids.  They were blessed with the birth of three beautiful children: Alex, Abigail, and Sadie.

Brian was very involved in public service as a volunteer firefighter and first responder.  Following in his father’s footsteps, Brian became a cadet with the Richfield Rural Fire Department in 1990 and officially a firefighter in 1992.  He served as Deputy Chief for 12 years and as Fire Chief for the past year and a half.  Brian was also a member of the Arpin Fire Department, Wood County Fire Chiefs Association, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, and Wisconsin State Firefighters Association.

The most important thing in Brian’s life was his family.  He was known for his big heart and his passion for helping others.  Brian was a farmer at heart and enjoyed spending time helping his parents on their beef farm.  He was a tractor enthusiast, especially International Harvester tractors, and had an extensive toy tractor collection.  Brian was also a great cook and would often host family for dinner after church on Sunday’s.

He was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a member of the Immanuel Lutheran School family.

Brian is survived by his wife, Sarah, and children: Alex, Abigail and Sadie; parents: Keith and Judy Albright, Arpin; father and mother-in-law: John and Nell Slinkman, Vesper; five sisters: Wendi (Dan) Brueggen, Marshfield, Mary (Jerry) Taylor, Arpin, Kelly Albright, Marshfield, Paula Albright (Gerritt Rustad), Arpin, Julie (Keith) Fellenz, Hewitt; sisters-in-law: Jennifer (Brian) Wilhorn, Wisconsin Rapids, and Melissa (John) Losievski, Pittsville; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Brian’s passion for helping others continued even in his untimely passing through the gift of organ donation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to a fund which is being established for Brian’s children’s education.