Robert Brandt

OSSIAN –Robert Brandt, age 94, of Ossian IA, died on Sunday, December 26, 2021 at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA.  

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia, IA with Lay Minister Daryl Schultz presiding. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Robert Kenneth Brandt was born on March 14, 1927, in rural Castalia, Iowa, the son of Walter and Annetta (Huisinga) Brandt. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. He attended Castalia area schools until graduating in 1945. Robert married Marlus Engelhardt on January 25, 1948 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. 

Robert and Marlus farmed near Castalia (Centennial Road) for 47 years where they raised their three sons, Stan, Brad, and Rich. In 1960 he began carpenter work specializing in designing and remodeling kitchens. He was a carpenter for 37 years until retiring in 1997. Robert was an active member of the Bloomfield Historical Society where he enjoyed writing skits and building props for their monthly meetings. 

After retiring Robert and Marlus moved to Ossian and then Decorah. During their retirement years, they made over 200 lap quilts together that were given to family, friends, and various organizations. After Marlus died Robert continued making close to 1000 lap quilts that continued going to family and friends locally and worldwide until he entered the Ossian Senior Hospice in 2017. 

Robert is survived by his three sons: Stan (Linda) Brandt, Ridgeway, IA; Brad (Janet) Brandt, Rochester, MN; and Rich (Kristi) Brandt, Sioux Falls, SD. Six grandchildren: Shira (Patrick) Gebel, Charles City, IA; Brian (Christy) Brandt, Solon, IA; Ben (Christy) Brandt, Owatonna, MN; Andrew (Lisa) Brandt, Sioux Falls, SD; Matthew (Annette) Brandt, Sioux Falls, SD; Megan (Matthew) Hentges, Gibsonia, PA. Fourteen great grandchildren: Brandt, Elliott, and Sadie Gebel; Gregory, Thomas, Charlie, and Will Brandt; Rebekah (Tyler) Vogt and Noah Brandt; Lincoln and Owen Brandt; Isaiah Brandt; Charlotte and Elizabeth Hentges. One brother: Lloyd Brandt, Belvidere, IL. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Ed (Nancy) Engelhardt, Luana, IA; Roger (Becky) Engelhardt, Postville, IA; JoAnn O’Hara, Postville, IA

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlus Brandt (March 2008). Parents: Walter and Annetta Brandt. Father and Mother-in-law: Edwin and Anna (Stee) Engelhardt. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Hilda Brandt; Leon and Arlene Everman; Leo O’Hara; Carol Engelhardt.

Click here to visit the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home website.