JOHN B. BRANDT, age 96, of Chippewa Falls, WI, formerly of Thorp, WI, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025 at Chippewa Manor in Chippewa Falls.  A private Memorial Mass will be held for his family at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp.  

     John Bart Brandt was born on a farm near Stanley, WI on June 13, 1928 to the late Bart and Minnie I. (Schmidt) Brandt.  He was raised on the family farm and received his education in Stanley, graduating from Stanley High School in 1945.  After high school, John enlisted into the U.S. Army and served from October 3, 1946 until his honorable discharge on February 14, 1948.

     As a WWII veteran, he was able to attend River Falls State College under the G.I. Bill, and graduated in 1951 with a B.S. Degree in Science and Agricultural Education.  He then taught Veterans on Farm Training Program for three years, but the majority of John's life was spent in the field of insurance and real estate.

     On May 28, 1952, John was united in marriage to Margaret M. Molling at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Stanley, and they enjoyed 72 happy years together.  Each share a great love and respect for the other.  They enjoyed the outdoors, especially making maple syrup and fishing.  John had many other interests, including hunting, woodworking, tinkering and fixing just about anything, yard work, painting, the Green Bay Packers, and ice cream.  He was a proud man who was a jokester and had a great sense of humor.

     John will be dearly missed by his wife, Margaret; his three children: James (Linda) Brandt, Gerald (Sara) Brandt, and Annette (Dave) Erickson; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Robert and Donald Brandt; and one sister, Alyce Pawelko.