Willard Brandt

Willard "Will" Brandt, age 61, of Owatonna, died peacefully on Monday, February 17, 2014, at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna following an extended illness.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Waseca, with Sister Franchon Pirkl, Chaplain of Homestead Hospice House, officiating. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Will's family request donations be made to the Homestead Hospice House or to the donor's choice in his memory.

Willard LeRoy Brandt Jr., the son of Willard L. Sr. and Helen (Branson) Brandt, was born on August 1, 1952, in Hampton, Iowa. He attended Meservey-Thorton High School and graduated with the class of 1970. Following high school, he continued his education at University of Northern Iowa and graduated with the class of 1974. He then began his lifelong career as a credit analyst at various places in Faribault, Owatonna, Waseca, and most recently at DART Transportation in Eagan. On April 20, 1996, Will was united in marriage to Lynette Eustice at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca. Will was a gentle man and enjoyed college sports, especially the Minnesota Gophers.

He is survived by his wife, Lynette Brandt of Owatonna; his mother, Helen Brandt of Coulter, IA; his siblings, Charlotte Brandt of Coon Rapids and Dennis Brandt of Urbandale, IA; his sister-in-law, Denise (Paul) Britton and brother-in-law, Keith (Kelly) Eustice, both of Waseca and by his nephews, a niece, and other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Willard L. Brandt Sr.; his maternal grandparents, Donald (Ruby) Branson and by his paternal grandparents, Louis (Paulina) Brandt.