Bryce Aric Jungbluth

Bryce A. Jungbluth, age 27, of Hayward, WI and formerly of Wendell, NC, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, MN.

Bryce Aric Jungbluth was born October 21, 1998, the son of Mathew Jungbluth and Tasha Guetzke.  He was raised in Madison until the age of eleven and then moved with family to Hayward, WI.   He played hockey for Hayward High School and graduated in 2017.  After high school he attended Western Technical College in La Crosse.  While at school, Bryce found his passion for firefighting and earned an Associate of Applied Science – Fire Protection Technician degree in 2022. During his time at Western Technical College he learned how to, as Bryce always stated, “put the wet stuff on the red stuff.” He then moved to Raleigh, NC and began work as a firefighter for the Carrboro Fire Department.  On April 1, 2023, Bryce was joined in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Emma Bratley in Hayward, WI.  Together, the couple moved to Wendell, NC where Bryce continued work as a firefighter for Carrboro.  Bryce found his true calling as a firefighter and loved the brotherhood, activity and being there for people on their worst day.  Bryce earned Firefighter of the Year in 2024, a Medal of Valor for a swift water rescue during hurricane Helene and was promoted to Driver during his time at Carrboro.  He also served as a mentor for new firefighters joining the department. Bryce and Emma were members of Freedom Church in Raleigh where Bryce gave his life to our Lord.  He was an active participant in Barbarians, a men’s group at the church.  After three and a half years of serving Carrboro, Bryce took a job with the Eau Claire Fire Department where he was placed at Station 2, in June of 2026.  During his life, Bryce enjoyed playing golf, woodworking and home projects; hunting; fishing; and playing with his dogs, Goose and Gander.  On October 18, 2025, Bryce became a father to Hayes Edward, a role he loved.  He loved his wife and son dearly and they had recently made arrangements to purchase their dream home in Birchwood, WI.  Bryce will be remembered for his good nature, fun loving attitude, strong work ethic, and his seemingly endless ability to be good at everything he tried.  Through everything Bryce did in life, he lived through the mantra of, “Faith. Family. Firefighting.”

Bryce is survived by his wife, Emma; son, Hayes; parents, Matt (Sarah) Jungbluth of Cumberland, WI, Tasha Jungbluth of Madison, WI; sisters, Alicia Jungbluth and Danica Jungbluth both of Cumberland, and Cassie Schafer of Madison; grandparents, Penny (Barry) Hart, Hilton Head, SC; mother and father-in-law, Mike and Erinn Bratley; brother-in-law, Tyler (Payton) Bratley.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Butch and Lynne Jungbluth, Bruce and Becky Marquardt.

A funeral service for Bryce will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10th, at the Hayward High School Gymnasium.  Visitation will be Sunday, August 9th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Hayward High School Commons area and from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Monday in the gymnasium.  Department Honors will be performed to honor Bryce’s service in the Carrboro, NC and Eau Claire, WI Fire Departments.

To stream the 2:00 p.m. service on Monday, please copy the following link into your web browser:

https://youtube.com/live/eBVbqgSEFLo?feature=share

The Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin have established a support page for Emma and Hayes at https://pffwcf.networkforgood.com/projects/304006-jungbluth-family-donation-page

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