Donald L. Brandt

Don was born April 12, 1935, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of LeRoy William Brandt and Zoa Lenore (Andresen) Brandt. He was raised in Davenport and graduated from Davenport High School in June 1954.

Shortly after graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served and was especially proud of the time he spent stationed in Japan. A devoted American patriot throughout his life, he remained deeply interested in military history, particularly World War II.

Don married Janet Kay Cuppy in July 1958. Together, they built their family, business, and life in Davenport, sharing 68 years of marriage. After becoming empty nesters and retiring, Don and Janet moved to Donahue around 2001, where they enjoyed a quiet and comfortable life together.

In November 1970, Don founded The Brandt Company, joined soon thereafter by his cousin, Robert Brandt, Jr. What began as a modest drafting-supply business grew under their leadership into a successful regional company offering full-service offset printing and direct-mail services. Don served as president of the company until his retirement. He was an exceptionally shrewd businessman, a careful planner, and a conservative and practical steward of everything he earned and built. He believed in purchasing thoughtfully, maintaining things properly, and wasting very little.

Don was equally committed to the community in which he lived and worked. He served as president of Emeis Little League, the Davenport Y's Men's Club, the Quad City Craftsman Club, and the Mississippi Valley Fair. He was also a member of the American Legion, Kaaba Shriners, and North Scott Rotary. He loved Davenport and the Quad Cities and took great pride in the region, its people, and its history.

Outside of business, Don was happiest when he was active: building, maintaining, fixing, or creating something. He loved gardening, yardwork, home maintenance, woodworking, tinkering, and spending time outdoors. For him, “Producing” was recreation, measured in terms of “utility,” “quality,” and “Integrity.” His interests over the years included coin collecting, antique toys, Model T automobiles, movies, and a curation of books - many of which were collected considerably faster than they were read. College sports outweighed professional sports, Hawkeye games always trumping anything else on TV.

As a young man, Don enjoyed basketball, ice skating, and swimming. Later in life, he took up golf and handball. He enjoyed classic war films, Westerns, and the great movie stars of Hollywood's golden era. Proud of his family's German heritage, he also maintained a particular interest in German culture and history.

Don loved to socialize and was known for his exceptionally dry and sarcastic sense of humor. He had a sharp eye for the absurd and was rarely hesitant to point out something foolish that should have been obvious. His understated delivery, quick wit, and ability to make those around him laugh will be remembered fondly by his family and friends.

Above all, Don was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Janet Kay Brandt of Donahue; his four children, William Brian Brandt and his wife, Marcia (Woods) Brandt, of Davenport, Stacy Elizabeth Brandt of DeWitt, Marc Douglas Brandt and his wife, Susan (Simms) Brandt, of Ellijay, Georgia, and Douglas Robert Brandt of St. Louis, Missouri.

He is also survived by three grandchildren: Lee Brian Brandt and his wife, Jennifer (Slawson) Brandt, of Blue Grass, Iowa; Kaela Gene Voss and her husband, Matthew David Voss, of Davenport; and Kraig Allen Brandt and his wife, Simay (Duzenli) Brandt, of Savannah, Georgia.

Don's five great-grandchildren are Brielle Rylee Brandt, Laurel Brynn Brandt, Wyatt Lee Brandt, Natalie Mae Voss, and Madalyn Jade Voss.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy William Brandt and Zoa Lenore (Andresen) Brandt, and his sister, Shirley Ann “Sis” (Les) Strohbehn.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 2, 3pm – 6pm at the Runge Mortuary.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 3, 2026, at 12pm at The Runge Mortuary & Crematory in Davenport. Burial and military honors will take place immediately following at Rock Island National Cemetery on Rock Island Arsenal. Reception will be held at Runge Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don's name to Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).

Please share condolences at www.rungemortuary.com .