Kenneth G. Brandt

February 2nd, 2018 ended the final chapter in the life of one of the finest characters we have ever known. Kenneth (Ken) Brandt, born June 29th, 1927, passed in the presence of loving family after 90 years of love and good humor. Born in Cobb, Wisconsin to Arthur and Eileen Brandt, Ken was the 2nd oldest of 7 siblings. He was a sweet natured and spirited child who would grow into a sweet natured and spirited man. Ken enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his county in the year 1944, beginning a long career with the U.S. government that would span multiple jobs and experiences all the way up until his retirement in 1982. Ken contributed to the efforts of the first space program while working at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and was extremely proud to be part of such a monumental venture. He was particularly fond of his final years as a supervisor at the Rock Island Arsenal, where he was respected and well-liked, and took humorous joy in being “the boss”. From boxing in the Navy, to studying animal husbandry, Ken was a man of many interests, but it was in 1951 that he would meet the woman who would embody the most beautiful experience of all. His greatest adventure. Betty Welp first caught Ken’s eye when he looked down upon her from a balcony in church, and later over ice cream. Some of that sweetness must have lingered an awfully long time, for they married on January 20th of 1953 and celebrated 65 full and devoted years. Ken was a remarkable father who worked hard and supported his wife in ways which were ahead of his time-even hand washing cloth diapers. He adored and made time for his children, and later, the lives of many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. An enthusiastic sportsman, Ken had a great love of fishing and the outdoors, taking pleasure on the waters of the Mississippi River and even venturing to Montana. He enjoyed many years of retirement in Arizona with Betty, and acquired a bit of the Spanish language, which he enjoyed showing off to grandkids. Ken had a great love for pitching horse shoes and was a member of the NHPA for 38 years and served as the president in Yuma for 3 years. He was nominated to the NHPA Hall of Fame and competed in three world championships, winning trophies until 2011. A musical soul, Ken was fond of big band music and a fan of Lawrence Welk. He loved to dance and serenade his family in a rich, classic singing voice. Ken had a passion for dogs and adored and cared for many over the course of his long life. This tender-heartedness lives on in the spirit of his animal-loving family, who include his beloved wife, Betty, his sons, Kenneth Jr. and Rick (Christine) Brandt, daughters Judy (Chuck) Ernst and Cindy (Wayne) Walsh, and 21 grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is greeted after death by his brothers Joseph and Gordon, his sister Joanne, his parents, Arthur and Eileen, and two grandchildren, Jamie and Lindsey. A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future. The family wishes to thank all of the medical staff who cared for Ken with compassion and kindness. Obituary lovingly contributed by granddaughter Molly McGuire. Online tributes may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.