Obit: Brandt, Donald E. (1924 – 2004)
Poster:  Crystal Wendt
Email:  crystalwendt@aol.com
 

Surname: Brandt, Schmidt, Gillum, Lahner, Hunt, Pawelko, Pederson

Source: Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wis.) 6 Jan. 2004

Brandt, Donald E. (6 Nov. 1926 – 2 Jan. 2004)

Donald E. Brandt, 79, of Eau Claire, died Sunday, January 2, 2004, at his home. He was born November 6, 1924, in the town of Worden near Stanley, the son of Bart and Minnie (Schmidt) Brandt.

Donald graduated from Stanley High School in 1942. After farming with his father for two years he joined the U.S. Army. He served in the Philippine Islands and with the Army of occupation in Japan until his honorable discharge in February 1946. He graduated from River Falls State Teacher’s College with a degree in agricultural education in 1950. He then worked as a veteran farm trainer at New Auburn teaching veterans under the G. I. Bill. Donald was united in marriage to Barbara J. Gillum at First Congregational Church in Eau Claire on December 26, 1952.

They moved to Eau Claire in 1953, where Donald was employed with the Rural Insurance Companies until 1956, when he took a job with Ralston Purina Co., working with fee dealers in a five-county area. In 1971, Donald purchased the Thorp Flour & Feed Co. which he operated for 25 years, retiring in 1996.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 0118 and VFW Post 9057 in Thorp.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; two daughters, Kathleen (Michael) Lahner of Eau Claire and Jean (Gene) Brandt Hunt of Green River, Wyo.; son, John (Jille) Brandt of Eau Claire; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother John (Marge) Brandt of Thorp; sister, Alyce (Peter) Pawelko of Florissant, Mo.; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kurt, and a brother, Robert.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2004, at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dr. Duane C. Pederson officiating. Burial will be Lutheran Church Cemetery where VFW Post 305 will perform military graveside rites. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Family request memorials be directed to First Lutheran Church 1005 Oxford Ave., Eau Claire, Wis., 54703, Luther Bible Camp, P. O. Box 153, Chetek, Wis., 54728 or the donor’s choice.

Friends may sign the guest book online at www.lenmarkfh.com

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