Eugene “Gene” Brandt, 86, of Tigerton, passed away Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg.
Eugene Ernest Brandt was born in the town of Polar, Langlade County, to Herman and Beatrice (Ensle) Brandt. Gene was united in marriage on Sept. 3, 1949, to Anita R. Bonell at St. John’s Catholic Church, Antigo.
The couple moved to Tigerton in 1963 and started farming in the town of Fairbanks, Shawano County. Gene dairy farmed until 1980, and along with working the farm, he was employed with FWD Corporation, Clintonville. He worked as a metal fabricator at FWD for 29 years, retiring in 1992. Even after retirement, Gene kept busy by working part time at Marion Plywood and Carver Wood Products, both of Marion. He was a hard worker, a devoted husband, and a loving father and grandfather. Gene was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Tigerton. In his younger years, he liked snowmobiling and was a member of the Split Rock Snowmobile Club for some time. Gene enjoyed reading, especially westerns and mysteries. His other favorite pastime was taking care of his yard and growing beautiful apple, pear, cherry, apricot and plum trees.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Anita, and eight children, Dennis (Bonnie) Brandt, of Tigerton, Michael (Deb) Brandt, of Tigerton, Connie (Tom) Salzer, of Oshkosh, David Brandt, of Elderon, Joline (David) Johnson, of Tigerton, Karen Brandt, of Wittenberg, Janice (David) Randolph, of Waynesville, North Carolina, and Paul (Jeff) Brandt, of Temple, Texas. There are 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. There is one brother, Robert “Willy” (Judy) Brandt, of Weston; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Brandt, of Omaha, Nebraska; and one brother-in-law, Coleman Day, of Antigo. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Johnson; a great-granddaughter, Scarlet Salzer; a daughter-in-law, Chris Brandt; one brother, Lowell; and two sisters, Velma Day and Elizabeth Brandt.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Aug. 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Tigerton. The Rev. Patrick Lloyd and Gene’s grandson, the Rev. Timothy Brandt, will co-officiate. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, Tigerton. Friends may call on Sunday at the church from 6-8 p.m. and on Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass.
The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Tigerton, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be sent via www.beil-didier.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Anthony’s for Masses.
We would like to thank all the nurses and staff at Homme Home, the crew at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, and Dr. Harish Ahuja at the Aspirus Regional Cancer Center for the all the excellent and compassionate care provided to Gene.