Marion community rallies around newspaper publisher

Running a small-town newspaper has been a way of life for Patsy and Dan “Thumber” Brandenburg, owners of the Marion Advertiser.

They and their daughter, Angie, have given to the community for more than 35 years. Now the community wants to show its gratitude and love for the family that has seen its share of challenges.

Last February Dan decided to change his eating habits in an effort to lose a little weight. He cut out soda and soon dropped 30 pounds.

“I thought I was feeling pretty good, but soon I was dropping five pounds a week,” Brandenburg said. “I went to see Dr. (Cynthia) Egan, who treated me for an ulcer, but things kept getting worse. She sent me on for further testing, and it soon became apparent that it was serious, I had cancer of the stomach.”

“My oncologist is one of the top 10 in the nation and he decided to use an aggressive chemo treatment,” he said. “Christ is in our life. He is the main doctor. With him guiding us, I am confident we will beat this.”

The chemo treatments have been not without their side effects. He has lost some hair. He cannot stand the site of buildings in the ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton where he gets his treatments. He doesn’t like bread anymore. He feels especially sick for a couple of days after a treatment and then he is back to his desk. He needs to stay away from crowds. He doesn’t shake hands and can’t receive the hugs that so many want to give him. He needs to take precautions so he doesn’t pick up anything contagious as his resistance is low as the result of his treatments.

Angie was born with spina bifida and has had to deal with her share of health issues, too. One of the worst times came last year when a shunt failed and Angie suddenly coded, but she is again back working at the office.

Despite all the challenges the family has faced, they have never missed publishing the weekly paper in 35 years. Dan is quick to give credit to his wife and daughter for their success.

“If I get feeling down, Patsy and Angie will always get me back up,” he said.

The paper has a weekly circulation of 1,900 and over-the-counter sales of nearly 200.

“The business has been good for us,” Dan said. “We were always able to pay our bills on time. When we got married we had $30 left after our honeymoon. We have always been frugal. That has been our motto since we got married.”

“The Marion Advertiser has meant everything to this community. When they took over they just covered everything and not just Marion but wherever Marion touches,” said Fred Kovach, a retired teacher. “Whenever we needed to give some of our students a pat on the back, Dan and Patsy were always there to give a little publicity. That paper has meant so much to the school district.

“There were students in college that would wait for the Marion Advertiser to come to the dorm.”

The Brandenburgs have always given donations to special causes in the community, usually without anyone else’s knowledge, but now they are on the receiving end.

Dan has finally accepted the fact that the community wants to help him. He says so far they have been able to keep up with the medical bills, but there might be a time when their insurance will not cover expenses and they might have to dig into the donations.

“This is exactly why I have stayed in this community. They are always willing to help,” Dan said.

The Marion Lions Club and others are organizing a “Thumbs Up for Thumber” benefit June 11 at Northwinds Banquet Hall. It will include live music, bake sales, auction, raffles, silent auction and activities for the kids. The doors open at 11 a.m.

“People have donated a guitar, a beef, a freezer and tons of other things for the auction,” Dan said. “Bill Bowers told me that they were going to do this benefit if I wanted it or not. It is really humbling that so many care about me and my family.”

Kovach said donations include a beautiful antique steamer trunk, autographed jerseys from past and present Green Bay Packers, bird houses, gift certificates from many places, a knife set, baskets, table and chair set, crossbow. Meat has been donated for the hamburgers and brats.

Other community efforts to help the Brandenburgs have included softball games, a benefit sponsored by the high school track team and bake sales. Some 12-year-olds are selling “Brownies for Brandenburg.”

Despite the belief that Dan, 66, will lick the cancer, the family has decided to put the business up for sale. The Brandenburgs want to turn the Marion Advertiser over to another caring, community-minded owner. They want to continue the legacy of a successful hometown newspaper.

When they find the right buyer, the family is willing to continue to help the new owner if needed, Dan said.

They do not plan to move from the area. They just want some time off. When Angie says she would like to go to a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ game, they would like to be able to do so, Dan said. They would like to travel around the state a little.