“The man is a success who has lived well, loved much, and laughed often.” — Robert Louis Stevenson“
Jerome (Jerry) Charles Brandt, died peacefully in Sandy, Oregon on October 27, 2020. He was 90.
Jerome was one of 14 children born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the age of 9 he was sent to work on an uncles farm in North Dakota where he grew up being a cowboy. At 18 he returned to Wisconsin to join the army to fight in Korea. He became a part of the Army Corp of Engineers that built and blew up bridges. He was injured and suffered a bullet to his leg and shrapnel in his back while serving. When he returned home he became a farm hand in Grafton, Wisconsin, where he met Robert Rathke who became his best friend. Robert was dating Joanne Koller and Robert set up a blind date for Jerry with her sister Marcelyn. It was love at first sight! They were married for 60+ years until Marcelyn died in 2019.
Over time Jerry became an employee of Ozaukee county and also a employee of the state of Wisconsin where he built roads and plowed snow.
Jerry was known for his sense of humor. He brought great laughter and joy to everyone he met. He believed everyone was his friend. He was very much like the comedian George Burns and had a singing voice like Dean Martin. Marcelyn and he loved singing together. They loved to travel. Together they explored the United States. Later in life his care of Marcelyn, who suffered from Alzheimer’s and blindness for so many years showed great love, and strength.
He was a loving kind man who is dearly missed every day.
He is survived by his children, Jean Brandt Foerster, Joni Brandt Anderson (Rick) Christopher Brandt and 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Marilyn Brandt Golden and Deborah Brandt Lundstrom (Rich). He is survived by Joanne Koller Schmidt his sister in law. He lived the longest of any Brandt family member.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Marcelyn.