Stacy Brotzel

Stacy Brotzel, age 65, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, at her home.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Stacy Kim (Hopper) Brotzel was born to Ralph Hopper and Yvonne “June” Baker on November 17, 1960, in Fresno, CA. Born one of eight children, Stacy and her siblings experienced much hardship in their early years. Through her strength and determination, Stacy later graduated with honors from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Fresno, CA.

Soon after graduating, Stacy met her future husband, Thomas “Tom” Richard Sperry. Together, they welcomed their three children: Jason, Jodie, and Jeremy into the world. While her children were still young, Stacy worked as a catering truck driver and later managed several McDonald’s locations. She loved watching her children, and later her grandchildren, play baseball and softball, and coached her daughter, Jodie’s, softball team. Stacy and Tom divorced in 1995, and afterward she moved to Milbank, SD, where she would spend the rest of her life.

Stacy began a 17-year career at Saputo Cheese in Big Stone City, SD, where she met Kenneth Mark Brotzel, who she would later marry in 2001, and who she would spend the rest of her life enjoying fishing and camping with. After leaving Saputo, she began waitressing at the Millstone Family Restaurant in Milbank, SD, for seven years before retiring. She is remembered very fondly by her former co-workers, friends, and customers.

Eventually, all three of Stacy’s children followed her move to South Dakota so she could be around her beloved grandchildren as they grew up. Stacy loved spending time with all of her grandchildren, who all referred to her as “Granny”. She enjoyed watching them play sports, taking them on camping and fishing trips, or simply going out for a picnic. She believed that her grandchildren were her greatest achievement. Stacy was a lover of boardgames, and could often be found winning against one of her family members at Catan. She loved the outdoors, and believed in the importance of conservation so that future generations could enjoy nature's splendor.

An avid thrifter, Stacy saw the beauty in items others no longer needed, as well as a good deal. She was an amazing cook, with every dish she made a reflection of her love, and though she was not an avid baker, she possessed a sweet tooth and loved trying cakes, cookies, and pies. Though the last few years of Stacy's life was spent battling various health issues, she always held her head high and never lost her sense of humor or lust for life. Stacy had a big heart, and an even bigger personality that will both be missed by all who knew her.

In 2025, Stacy helped welcome her first great-grandchild, Violet Jo, into the world and was fortunate to get to know her before her passing. Though Violet will not be able to grow up with her Granny Stacy, she will grow up surrounded by stories and fond memories of the woman who called her “the light of her world.”

Stacy is survived by her husband, Kenneth Brotzel; three children: Jason Sperry, Jodie Pillatzki, and Jeremy (Amber) Sperry; two step-children: Brittany (Seth) Russell and Brandon Brotzel; former husband, Thomas (Lynda) Sperry; grandchildren: Jamisen Sperry, Safirah Sperry, Xander Sperry, Jase Sperry, Waylon Sperry, Gabriella Sperry, Elisabeth Sperry, Ryan Sperry, Janette (Chance) Sale, Ethaniel Wellnitz, Harmonie Farley, Hailie Pillatzki, Cadence Pillatzki, Caleb Pillatzki, Aiden Pillatzki, and Preston Russell; great-grandchild: Violet Sale; sisters: Susan (Alan) Bierholm, Sherri Tullous, and Evelyn Bowen; brother, Shannon Hopper; brother-in-law, Keith Daniels; sister-by-love, Janice Sperry; all of her nieces and nephews who she loved more than they could know; and her beloved dog, Daisy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Stanley Hopper, Shawn Hopper, and Steven Hopper, sister, Sheila Hopper; nephews: Sage Hopper and Johnny Smith; brother-in-law: Brad Tullous; mother-by-love and choice, Betty "Jo" Sperry; and father-in-law and best friend, George Sperry.

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