Bryan D. Wilson

Bryan Douglas Wilson left us on September 27, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family, which was the most important part of his life. He had been valiantly battling bladder cancer since the end of 2022.

He was born to Garth “Stu” Wilson and Alice Koch Wilson in Hammond Indiana where he spent his early childhood until the family moved into their home in Lowell, Indiana. He loved all things motorized as a young person and was for all of a “go-to” guy for smaller engines. He loved motorcycles, a passion he shared with his father Stu, and in his teen years raced them for a time. He also had a passion for shooting, firearms, fishing and the outdoors that were part of him for the rest of his life. At the same time his love for the arts blossomed. He worked with the Lowell High School drama department doing tech things for various productions. In high school he began his love of playing the Euphonium (it has a different bore than a Baritone horn, something he would explain when ever asked). His deep rich tone matched his passionate and thoughtful soul. He became close with his high school band director, who was his first teacher, also a low brass player, who saw his talent and passion. Ultimately this led him to major in music performance at Ball State University. This was not a good fit and his high school band director helped get him into VanderCook College of Music in Chicago where he trained to be a music teacher. It was here that he met and dated his future wife Shanta, who was also a student. They planned to marry, but in the end were separated due to parental pressures.

Sadly, his teaching career was short as arts education began to be unfunded in the early 1980s. However, he did teach for a time first in Arkansas, during which time he married his first wife, Gabrielle Krebs Wilson; and then in Idaho, during which time his daughter Danielle was born.

Eventually he and his young family moved to the Twins Cities in Minnesota, where he tried his hand at several jobs, including selling insurance, finally settling on working in a machine shop. During this time he welcomed their son, Michael who completed the family. To the machine shop he brought his family knowledge of metal working and his experience of formal drafting from high school which built this career. Like all things he turned his hands to he brought his work ethic and passion. He spent 33 years working at a Thorud Inc. For his lifetime using his creativity and skills was his joy.

In the mid 1990s he divorced, following which he lived in multiple places in the Twin Cities, settling for a time with partner Tina Manor. In late 2012 Bryan and Shanta reconnected and by 2013 they were together, finally marrying in 2015 (bringing her children Piers and Kyrie into the family). In 2020 they decided to move to the Madison, Wisconsin area to be closer to her family and closer to his family in Indiana. He found a work home at TREK Bicycles, a job he enjoyed and was proud to be a part of. However, this was cut short when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. We are grateful for the care he received from the staff of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Most especially his Oncologist Hamid Emamekhoo and his PCP George Leydon (GHC). As well as the staffs of Common Heart Home Care and Rainbow Hospice. All of these dedicated people made his battle with cancer more bearable.

He is survived by his wife Shanta Wilson Hartsough, his daughter Danielle (Chris) Wilson-Connor, his son Michael (Opal Donne Sherwood) Wilson, his stepson Piers Caldwell, stepdaughter Kyrie Eleison (Sean Seyler) Caldwell; and his loved and adored grandsons Kai Andersen and Cameron Connor. He is also survived by his siblings Kathleen Wilson, Craig (Cynthia) Wilson, Janet McGowan and sister-inlaw Amy (Dennis Huvila) Hartsough. As well as a beautiful group of nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents Garth and Alice (née: Koch) Wilson.

A Celebration of Life honoring Bryan will be held at First Lutheran Church (612 N Randall Ave., Janesville, WI) on November 22, 2025 starting at 10:00 am. As a musical tribute his personal euphonium will be played and further music performed by a student soloist as well as a low brass quartet. His family invites you to join us as we remember our beloved Bryan.

In lieu of flowers, donations to bladder cancer research would be appreciated, or a tree planted in memory of Bryan.