Geraldine M. Brandt, 88, of Mansfield, passed away Monday, September 22, 2025, after a 10-year illness with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born August 11, 1937, in Mansfield, to the late Harley Guy and Frances M. (Marsh) Trease.
Gerry enjoyed her childhood, surrounded by family that included 9 siblings. She graduated from Madison High School in 1955 then earned her teaching certificate from Bowling Green State University in 1958. She worked at the Farmers Market, where she met her future husband Jack, whom she married on October 22, 1956. By November, 1962, she and Jack had become parents of five children. In 1968, Gerry began her 31-year teaching career in the Madison School District, teaching second and third grades at Stewart Road, Lincoln Heights and Eastview elementary schools. She paused her teaching long enough to earn a bachelors degree in education from the Ohio State University, in 1976. Gerry retired in 2001, enjoying a “Lottery Queen” themed party hosted by her fellow teachers.
If a child or grandchild had a sporting event, you would find Gerry and Jack there, cheering them on. For Gerry, her sport was bowling, both in a mixed doubles league with Jack on Sunday nights at Village Lanes and in several women’s leagues with the last being at Lex Lanes. Gerry and Jack enjoyed taking bus trips, cruises, and visiting Jack’s sister and family in California. Car shows were another favorite; they proudly drove, displayed, and won awards for their orange 1947 Ford convertible and 1964 GTO convertible that their sons restored for them. Gerry enjoyed shopping with her daughters, choosing and planting flowers in her many flower beds, and baking, especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always baked enough to share; whether it was the gas station attendant who filled her tank, the bank tellers who helped her, or the nursing home residents when visiting Jack, Gerry’s generosity reached everyone she met.
While Gerry loved her teaching job and all of her activities, she most enjoyed being with her family. Whenever she was asked what she wanted for a gift, her response was “to be with my family.” She organized Trease family reunions and called out the Bingo games; she baked cakes and held birthday gatherings. She never missed a birthday or anniversary of friends or relatives, always sending a card.
If you knew Gerry, you knew she loved to talk; she never met a stranger. With her beautiful smile, friendly chatter, kindness, politeness and willingness to help others, she set a good example for her family and her students. If Gerry was in your world, you were blessed indeed; she was a wonderful woman with a big heart. Every kid should have a mom like ours; we will miss her always.
Gerry is survived by her children, Lesa Brandt (Pete) Medek, Tony (Cindy) Brandt, Lydia Constance, and Tom (Nancy) Brandt; grandchildren, Kristen (Travis) Robinson, Benjamin (Melissa) Brandt, John C. Constance, Elizabeth Constance, Shannon Lott, Cory Brandt; step-grandchildren, Scott (Holly) Davis and Mallory D'Augustine, great-grandchildren, Charleston, Brooks and Beau Robinson, Cohen, Brody and Benton Brandt, Haylie and Hadleigh Hutcheson, Tobey Lott, Bexley Brandt; and step-great-grandchildren, Kasey and Joslyn Davis and Austin D'Augustine. Gerry is also survived by her aunt Mitzi Marsh, brothers and sisters-in-law Walter and Carol Brandt, Margaret Cochran, Kenny and Mary Lynn Brandt, Jimmy and Joanne Brandt, and Linda Johnson, and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
Along with her parents, Gerry was preceded in death by her husband Jack Girard Brandt; her son and his wife, Timothy Allen (Tonia) Brandt; siblings and spouses, Charles (Rose) Trease, Richard (Joanie) Trease, Carl (Elaine) Trease, Vernon (Marie) Trease, Al (June) Trease, Herschel (Jane) Trease, Carty (Dorothy) Trease, Amy Harris (Herbert) Fox, and Marcine (Bill) Kuth; sisters and brothers-in law Adam and Betty Brandt, Sophie Clark, Kathryn and Larry Ciment, Frank (Butch) and Linda Brandt, William Cochran, Ernie Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
The family extends thanks to everyone who helped Gerry during her long illness.
Services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield, OH. Visitation is from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with the funeral service at 4:00 p.m. Private graveside services will be held at a later date with burial in Oak Grove Memorial Park, Lexington, OH.
If you would like to honor Gerry's memory, do so by giving someone a smile, stopping for a friendly chat, baking something to share, or enjoying time with your family and friends.
