Ethel Brandt
Ethel Brandt, age 86, of Decorah, died Saturday, August 8, 2015 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester MN. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 13 at Frankville Presbyterian Church, Frankville with interment at the Frankville Cemetery.
Ethel Bernadine (Westby) Brandt was born January 1, 1929, the daughter of Carl and Rachel (Nash) Westby in Allamakee County. Ethel was baptized and confirmed at the Glenwood Lutheran Church. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1947. For a short time, Ethel taught at two rural one-room schools. One was located in Frankville township and the other in Glenwood township. Ethel married Wesley Brandt August 26, 1948 at the Glenwood Lutheran Church. Together, they farmed for many years west of Frankville. Wesley died September 13, 1976. In 1983, Ethel moved to Decorah.
Ethel volunteered for many area organizations including the Depot Outlet, Wellington Place Auxiliary and as an ESL teacher. She was very active in the Frankville Church holding several offices. Ethel excelled at being a “home-maker," always making her family feel loved, safe, and secure. She enjoyed bowling, traveling, making lefse, collecting music boxes, all varieties of puzzles, and watching professional golf and the Hawkeyes. You didn’t interrupt her when Family Feud or The Voice came on TV. She especially enjoyed time spent with family and friends. She was known by many to have a kind and giving spirit. Her sweet smile and positive attitude were an example to us all. A recent highlight was seeing so many family and friends at her 85th birthday celebration.
Ethel is survived by her children: Loren (Janine) Brandt, Postville; JoAnn (Kurt) Uhlenhake, Ossian; and Janice (Michael) Koenig, Castalia; one daughter-in-law: Paula Brandt, Iowa City; six grandchildren: Luther (Mindy) Koenig, Postville; Marcee (Mitchell) Markussen, Whitefish Bay, WI; Andy (Michelle) Gray, Ankeny; Ben Gray, Newport Beach, CA; Emily (Barry) Hare, Richmond, VA; and Sarah Brandt, Postville; three great-grandchildren: Ben and Nelson Koenig and Hudson Gray; three sisters: Eunice (Robert) Denk, Decorah; Audrey (Dale) Barth, Decorah; and Barbara (William) Radke, Wabasha, MN; two brothers: Gordon (Peggy) Westby, Canyon Lake, CA; and Lyle (Jackie) Westby, Waukon; two sisters-in-law: Arlene Westby, Decorah; and LaVonne Brandt, Postville; and many nieces and nephews.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents: Carl and Rachel (Nash) Westby; her husband: Wesley Brandt; her son: Lowell Brandt; her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Walter and Hazel Brandt; three brothers: Kenneth Westby, Arden Westby and Roger Westby; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ruth Westby, Jerri Westby, Jack Schissel, Wayne (Frances) Brandt, and Beverly (Roland) Peck.
Casketbearers were Ethel’s grandchildren and their spouses.
