Catherine Ellen Brandt

Thursday, December 21, 2017 7:55 pm

Catherine Ellen Brandt, 96, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at Linn Manor Care Center in Marion. Visitation is from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, at Schluter & Balik Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson. Funeral services are at Community United Methodist Church in Calmar at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27. Burial is at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Fort Atkinson.

Catherine was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all who were privileged to share her life.

Catherine was born Aug. 12, 1921, in Jackson Junction. Vennie and Catherine were married May 15, 1940, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. During WWII Catherine moved with Vennie as he was deployed to various assignments in the US Army Air Corp. After WWII they returned to Fort Atkinson where Catherine and Vennie owned and operated a general store and cafeteria for many years until Vennie accepted a position with the US Postal Service and Catherine assumed the role of housewife and mother.

The Brandt family was actively involved in the Calmar Community United Methodist Church, Rural Letter Carriers Association and many community charitable causes. Hosting Lieke (Eric) VanZanten, a foreign exchange student from the Netherlands was an especially rewarding experience that resulted in a lifelong friendship.

Catherine is survived by her two daughters, Elaine Sweet (Marv Hansen) of Cedar Rapids and Sally (Francis) Cronin of Omaha, Neb.; three grandchildren:

Matthew (Lisa) Sweet of Cedar Rapids, Jennifer (Jason) Richmond and Allison (Brian) Feyerherm of Omaha, Neb.; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vennie J. Brandt; grandson, Kevin Wayne Sweet; a sister; two brothers; and several nieces and nephews.

Catherine’s family is especially grateful for Linn Manor Care Center staff and residents for the tender love and care provided since 2008.

Please share a memory of Catherine at murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.