Carlyle Harry Brandt

Carlyle H. Brandt, 89, of Lake Park, passed away at Hawkeye Care Center on Thursday January 26, 2017. Carlyle was born on June 18, 1927, in Jackson County, Minnesota. He is a second generation American; his grandparents were born in Germany. Carlyle was the youngest of Edward and Marie (Wiebener) Brandt's three boys (Abner and Emery). He began helping on the family farm by gathering eggs when he was nine, and as a teenager he graduated to field work and all the other jobs of a farmer. In his spare time, he played football and basketball. He graduated from Sioux Valley HS in 1946. Carlyle joined the Armed Forces (like his brothers) at age 21 (Air Force). When he was stationed in Savannah, GA, he met his wife Mary (Bette) Elizabeth Hardy of Pooler, GA. They met at one of the local dances held for the servicemen. They were married in 1950 in Savannah. They moved to Sioux Valley, Minnesota, so Carlyle could continue farming. Carlyle promised his new wife he would take her back to Georgia to visit her family every year. He kept his promise, and the car trips down to Georgia are some the best memories his four children (Mary, David, Lynda and Jonathan) have of their childhood. Carlyle continued to farm until 1978, at which time he started driving a fuel truck for the Lake Park Farmers Coop Elevator. He loved to visit with all the farmers on his route. Carlyle was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and was a charter member of the Sioux Valley American Legion. He was also an avid bowler and golfer (picking up the game after age 50). He loved to play cards, and he and Bette were in a card club with their friends. After his wife Bette of nearly 50 years passed away in early 1999, Carlyle found a new partner in life in Lennace Mitchell. They were married in July of 2000. Carlyle and Lennace were active in the Lake Park Methodist Church, played golf, and went to many local school activities including music concerts, ball games, and track meets. Carlyle loved entertaining family and friends at the lake house with Lennace. The Mitchells were a true blessing to Carlyle. Carlyle is survived by his wife Lennace, his sons David (wife Becki) and Jonathan (wife Marcy), his daughters Mary Workman (husband Jeremy) and Lynda Tumin (husband Fred), his step children Pam Mitchell, Terry Mitchell (wife Camilla), and Scott Mitchell (wife Jan), his 11 grandchildren Sean McGill, Lelia Brandt, Lisa Brandt, Kristin Tumin, Mary Beth (Tumin) Main, Dana Brandt, Mathew Brandt, Michael Mitchell, Kyle Mitchell, Molly (Mitchell) Johnson and Meggie (Mitchell) Widholm, and his 4 great-grandchildren Colin McGill, Haley McGill, Aaron Johnson, and Evan Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Marie, his first wife Bette, his brothers Abner and Emery, and a grandson Erin McGill. Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Saturday, February 4th at the United Methodist Church in Lake Park. Reverend Dr. Emmanuel T. Naweji will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-6pm, Friday, February 3rd at the church. Pallbearers will be nephews Edward Brandt, Bill Brandt, Doug Brandt, and Kevin Brandt, grandnephew Neil Brandt, and close friend Dave Fisher.