Date of Birth:
Tuesday, July 4, 1950
Date of Death:
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Age:
74 years old

Larry E. Brandt

Larry Eugene Brandt, 74, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his Rochester, MN home on March 2, 2025.  Born on July 4, 1950 to Durward and Nina (Litsey) Brandt in Cando, ND, Larry grew up on a farm near Rock Lake, ND.  His family was active in the Cando Brethren Church, which formed the foundation of his personal faith.  He attended school in both Rock Lake and Cando, graduating with the Rock Lake Class of 1968.  His high school track running record still stands.  He went to college at Mayville State and Wahpeton School of Science, studying electronics.

While in his twenties, Larry worked in retail management with Tractor Supply Company (TSC) in Omaha, NE; Grand Forks and Fargo, ND.  He also managed True Value Hardware in Mandan, ND and White Mart in Bismarck, ND before moving back to Rock Lake to farm in 1981. He was a successful and hard-working small grains farmer for 35 years.

Larry married Jill Broderick on December 18, 1976.  Their 48th anniversary was last year.  They raised their three sons on the family farm in Rock Lake and attended lots of school sports during those years!  He was elected to the Rock Lake School Board, on which he served as president for several years in the 1990’s.  He also was a Rock Lake Ambulance Squad volunteer, a Jaycees member and a league bowler.  He liked to hunt and fish, with Colorado Elk hunting and Canada fishing trips being highlights.

In 2009, Larry and Jill bought a second home in West Fargo, ND, commuting to Rock Lake for farming months.  Upon Larry’s 2016 farming retirement, they moved to Rochester, MN to be nearer to family.  They took several memorable vacations and cruises with friends, enjoying scenery and snorkeling.  In his retirement years, he liked playing backyard “bags” and having neighbors over for a driveway beer.  Larry was a Twins baseball and NDSU Bison football fan, watching most every game and proudly wearing his Bison sweatshirt to his radiation treatments.  Always the avid reader, his recent favorite book was “The Wish,” by Nicholas Sparks.

Larry was knowledgeable and skilled at doing many things.  He was a hard worker and always willing to lend a hand.  Deeply loved by his family and well respected by his neighbors and friends, Larry leaves behind a legacy of kindness, patience, honesty and integrity which will be genuinely missed.  In his own words, “I’ve lived a good life.  I have my faith and have always known where I am going, so am not afraid.”

Larry is survived by his wife, friend and life partner, Jill, and sons, Dustin (Maria) Brandt and Kyal (Stephanie) Brandt, all of Rochester, MN; son Juri Brandt, Athens, GA; six grandchildren (his pride and joy): Kaitlyn, Lauren, Ashley, Wendy, Mollie and Collin Brandt; sister Bonnie Heit, Centennial, CO; brother Kent (Karen) Brandt, Steele, ND; father-in-law, Pat Broderick, Rock Lake, ND; sisters/brothers-in-law: Wynn (Trent) Haberstroh, Hansboro, ND, Kelli (Tom) Adams, Grand Forks, ND, and Erin (Tracy) Hendrickson, Manvel, ND; twelve nieces and nephews; and exchange student “son,” Thomas (Beata) Kramer, Garching, Germany.  Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Durb and Nina Brandt; his mother-in-law, Audrey Broderick; brother-in-law, Gerald Heit; and niece, Gretchen Haberstroh.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the River Park Reception Hall at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th ST SE, Rochester, MN for an informal gathering time honoring Larry.  Burial of ashes will be in the family plot at Rock Lake Community Cemetery at 12 noon on Saturday, June 14, followed by lunch at the Catholic Church Hall for another sharing time with family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the Rock Lake Community Cemetery, 6381 108th ST NE, Hansboro, ND 58339; The Landing (homeless services in Rochester, MN) www.thelandingmn.org; or your local food pantry.