Ronald Kenneth Brankey

Ronald Kenneth Brankey, age 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at his lake home in Spooner, WI.  He was born on November 25, 1942 in Chicago, IL, the son of Kenneth and Genevieve (Matlack) Brankey.  

Ron had a successful career as a machinist.  Often the jokester, there was never a shortness of dry humor that would subconsciously be belted out during conversation to make everyone laugh in tears.  When Ron retired, he met Sandy, the love of his life, and they took dance lessons together and became ballroom dance instructors.  Together, they opened “The Dance Studio Downtown” in Racine, WI, where they taught dance lessons for over 15 years.  They held dances in Wind Lake, WI, where Ron played and DJ ’ed the music.  He proposed to Sandy in front of a large crowd at the Osthoff ballroom in Elkhart Lake.  Ron was a talented musician and played several instruments including guitar, banjo, accordion, keyboard and harmonica.  He could play almost anything just by ear and loved to sing.  He loved to sing and whistle.  Ron participated in the Racine Theater Guild and was in the play “Anything Goes” where he sang and tap danced.  He had an appreciation for old cars and always had one he was restoring.  His favorite being his 240Z.  In 2020, he build his beloved dream home on Spooner Lake where he loved his boat, fishing, watching beautiful sunsets and spending time outdoors.  Ron was a diehard Chicago Blackhawks fan… “ Let’s Go Hawks”.  

He is survived by his fiancé and life and dance partner of twenty-five years, Sandy Schmitz of Racine, WI; his children, Dianna Brankey of Crystal Lake, IL her son Martin and Gregory (Sandra) Brankey of Lindenhurst, IL, and their children, Eric and Tyler.  

Ron is preceded in death by his parents. 

A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. 

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