Earl LeRoy Brandes

Earl LeRoy Brandes, 95, of Central City, died on Thursday, November 24, 2016 at Litzenberg Long Term Care Center in Central City. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Fairview United Methodist Church near Central City with Pastor Lauri Beach officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, Novermber 28th from 5-8 p.m. at Fairview United Methodist Church. Interment will be at the Central City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Memorials are suggested to the Fairview United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #6 or to Donor’s Choice. Earl LeRoy Brandes was born on August 13, 1921, in Central City, Nebraska, to Carl Henry and Ida (Bauman) Brandes. He attended Central City Schools, graduating from High School in 1939. Earl joined the Marines in October, 1939. He was recently honored for the upcoming 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor as one of the few remaining survivors in Nebraska. His service also took him to campaigns in Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima, for which he received four stars. He was discharged in October, 1945. Earl was a true patriot, proudly wearing his Marine uniform in making presentations to young and old alike, lest we forget the war to end all wars. Earl and Alice Chrisp were united in marriage on October 6, 1946. While living in Central City, Earl worked as a mechanic at Larson Chevrolet. In 1951, he and Alice moved to the farm north of Central City where he began farming with his father, Carl, and his brothers, Harold and George. In later years, he then farmed with his sons, Roger and Evan. He took great pride in the fact that there is now a 5th generation of family members living on the same farmland. His devotion earned him the Merrick County Farmer Award, the Merrick Soil Conservation Award and Central City Farmer of the Year in 1968. Earl was a member of the United Methodist Church, beginning April 2, 1950, which became a driving force in his life. He had a strong sense of community and worked in developing Kernel Field with other local veterans who shared a love of baseball. While on the school board, he worked to consolidate Central City Public Schools. He was also on the Board of Directors for Southern Public Power for 29 years. Earl was a man of simple pleasures. He dearly loved his wife and family. He loved farming. He was an avid golfer and pitch player. He doted on his grandchildren and great grands, enthusiastically supporting them in their endeavors and attending their activities. Earl was a progressive trail blazer through hard work, dedication, kindness, modeling and the king of being the “neighbor” to the world. Those left to cherish his heroic memory are his oldest son, Roger and Sharon (Anderson) Brandes, of Central City; his daughter, Gail and Doug Brand of Seward; his youngest son, Evan and Roxanne(McHargue) Brandes, of Central City; his grandchildren, Jarrod, Kane and Julie, Jess and Kelly, Caitlin and Jordan, Eric and Natalie, Kylie and Jason, Krissy and Russ, Carly and Jeff, Cortney and Beau and Alex; and his adoring great-grandchildren, Cole, Ryan, Hailey, Leo, Brooke, Will, Caroline, Sam, Luke, Lincoln, Emma, Trig, Alaina, Elise, Connor, Ava, Tate, Tye, Riggins, Rustin, and two more on the way; his sister-in-law Lola Ross of Seward and sister-in-law Arlene Chrisp of Central City; and many other family members and friends. Earl was preceded in death by the love of his life and partner for 69 years, his wife, Alice; his parents; his brothers and their wives, Harold and Berniece Brandes, and George and Nadine Brandes; brothers-in-law, Ken Ross and David Chrisp; son-in-law, Randall Schilling; and infant great-granddaughter, Allison Penke.

Earl LeRoy Brandes

August 13, 1921 - November 24, 2016