Updated Obituary

Christian Biography of Donald R. Brandt

Donald Roy Brandt, 99, died on November 7, 2023, at Blue Valley Lutheran Nursing Home in Hebron, Nebraska.

Don, the son of William Christian Brandt and Maggie Fern (Petersen) Brandt, was born on August 25, 1924, near Nora, Nebraska. He remained in Nuckolls County to farm and raise his family.

He was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Ruskin, Nebraska and confirmed at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ruskin, Nebraska. His confirmation verse was John 8:31-32. He attended country school through the 8th grade and then got his start farming as a hired man for one dollar a day.

During WWII, he joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Bunker Hill, helping bring home troops from the Pacific after the war ended. He was a lifetime member of the Ruskin American Legion Post 242.

On March 16, 1947, he was married to Gertrude Charlotte Hinz at St. Mark Lutheran by Pastor Walter Moose. They lived and worked on several farms near Ruskin until they bought the current family farm in 1960 near Nora.

Don's passion for farming and raising livestock was a testament to his remarkable character. He worked hard and had a deep connection to the earth. His hands, though weathered, were always gentle, embodying the love and care he poured into every plant and harvest, leaving a legacy of resilience and devotion to the land.

His happiest moments were being with people. He was a tender and warm-hearted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. He was easy to be around and made everyone he was with feel welcomed.

He loved talking over a cup of coffee, walking in the fields near his home, playing assorted card games, watching Gunsmoke and fishing in his pond or the Little Blue River. Every year he enjoyed hosting pheasant hunters from North Carolina in his home.

His fun and rambunctious side came out with his grandkids, who he showered with affection and attention, teasing and tickling them, taking them on tractor rides and spoiling them with ice cream.

Don and Gertrude were married for 68 years, and they were blessed with six children: Barbara, Darrell, Leslie, Marilyn, Cheryl and Roberta.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Maggie; his wife Gertrude; his beloved daughter Marilyn Louise; brothers Larry Dale and Lester and his sister Fern Schoof.

He is survived by three daughters and two sons and spouses: Barbara Debrick of Littleton, CO, Darrell (Nancy) Brandt of Superior, NE, Leslie (Joetta) Brandt of Ruskin, NE, Cheryl Hoops of Freeport, IL and Roberta Brandt of Aurora, NE; sixteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and one great great grandson; sister Marietta Free; sisters-in-law Verna Brandt, Shirley Hinz and Juretta Hinz; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Services at: St. Mark Lutheran Church, Ruskin, Nebraska

Time of Service: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 10:30 am

Clergy: Rev. Jose Flores

Burial with  Military Honors: Spring Creek Cemetery, Ruskin, Nebraska

Memorials to: Blue Valley Nursing Home ~ Spring Creek Cemetery ~ St. Mark Lutheran Church

Visitation: From 1:00 pm-6:00 pm on Sunday with the family present from 2-4pm at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home

Funeral Home: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 Phone 402-879-3900