Toni Brendel

A native of Phillips, Wisconsin, Toni Brendel has a great appreciation for her Czech-Slovak heritage. She is a founding member of the Phillips Czechoslovakian Community Festival, acting as chair or co-chair for twenty-three years. She continues to serve on the committee's board of directors. Toni initiated the Miss Czech Slovak Wisconsin State Queen Pageant, serving as director for twelve years, and continues in an advisory capacity on the national Miss Czech Slovak U.S. board. Since retirement...See more

A native of Phillips, Wisconsin, Toni Brendel has a great appreciation for her Czech-Slovak heritage. She is a founding member of the Phillips Czechoslovakian Community Festival, acting as chair or co-chair for twenty-three years. She continues to serve on the committee's board of directors. Toni initiated the Miss Czech Slovak Wisconsin State Queen Pageant, serving as director for twelve years, and continues in an advisory capacity on the national Miss Czech Slovak U.S. board. Since retirement, she has written four books about heritage; she is currently working on a fifth title. She has made presentations to local groups and to university audiences in both the U.S. and in Slovakia. She is a frequent contributor to ethnic publications. Toni is also an active member of the Western Fraternal Life Association, Lodge 236, in Phillips. For many years, music received the attention that writing does today. Toni studied voice under the tutelage of the late Lorna Warfield, former Director of the Milwaukee Light Opera Company and Children's Opera Workshop, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and at UWSP. She performed as a vocal soloist in concerts, theatrical productions, and programs. She has directed community and church choirs, and provided music for worship services on organ or piano at several churches. Toni is the mother of four grown children, grandmother of six, and once a great-grandmother. See less