Donald W. Brandt age 79 of Fairbank passed away Thursday March 9, 2023 at Unity Point Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Donnie was born December 16, 1943 in Oelwein, the son of Wilbert and Doretta (Bartels) Brandt. He attended and graduated from Wapsie Valley Community Schools with the class of 1962. On May 9, 1964 he married Glenda Yeager at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Donnie worked at John Deere in Waterloo and retired after 34 years of dedicated employment. Shortly after that he began his career at Wapsie Valley Community Schools that spanned 21 years, first as the custodian at Fairbank Elementary and then as both a regular bus route driver and a dependable activities bus driver. Donnie also served for more than 27 years on the Fairbank Fire Department serving most of them as chief. He was a longtime member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and donated countless hours of his time to serve the parish that he loved so much. Donnie was a people person he always enjoyed visiting and helping out wherever needed. First and foremost for Donnie was his family he loved all of them unconditionally and was always there for them, whether it would be watching after grandchildren or helping with a project his family could always count on him to be there. He is survived by his wife, Glenda, his son Mike (Kim) Brandt, three daughters; Robyn (Marty) Kane, Noel Happel (CJ Burford) and Molly (Mike) Rochford, 12 grandchildren; Cameron (Danielle) Brandt, Collin Brandt, Cole Brandt, Conner Brandt (Megan Jones), Austin (Amber) Kane, Tyler Kane, Gavin (Bryanna) Kane, Augusta Ingersoll (Marty Fuentes), Christian Ingersoll, Will Happel, Nolan Rochford and Luke Rochford, 11 great-grandchildren; Colton Brandt, Jade Brandt, Delilah Brandt, Maddox Brandt, Millie Rose Brandt, Hayden Kane, Hudson Kane, Kashton Kane, Braylen Kane, Siya Fuentes and Owen Fuentes. Five brothers; Lauren Brandt (Mary), Gary (Lori) Brandt, Gene (Patty) Brandt, Keith (Cheryl) Brandt and Terry (Mindi) Brandt, two sisters; Betty (Clay) Passick and Barb Wandling, three sisters-in-law; Donna (Dave) Trimble, Dorothy Yeager and Susan Vilmain and one brother-in-law, Gordie Yeager. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents and his father and mother-in-law, Glen and Wilma Yeager, three sisters-in-law; Carol Brandt, Bea Thompson and Carol Wilson, two brothers-in-law; Lee Matson and Don Wandling and a nephew, Greg Brandt.
Visitation: 3:00-7:00 PM Sunday, March 12 with a parish rosary at 2:45 PM at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.
Funeral Mass: 10:30 AM Monday, March 13 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.
Inurnment: at a later date in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
Lunch will be served following the mass at the Parish Center.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Condolences for Donnie Brandt
Glenda and family
Sending much love and comfort to you all. Donny was a wonderful man and an inspiration to so many of us. Our lost is heaven’s gain. RIP until we met again.
Rest in peace! My old classmate! Graduated with him from Wapsie Valley!
Please accept my sincere sympathy. Donnie was a kind person, a people person for sure! Maybe he and Gary can have an “old timers fireman” conversation.
Mary Oakley
I am very sorry for your loss. He and his wife raised wonderful kids with wonderful grandchildren. Bless you all. Love and hugs to you all.
We are so sorry for your loss. Donnie was a wonderful person and will be missed by all
Glenda & family. Al & I were so sad to hear about Donnie’s passing. Sending our sincere sympathies to the entire family. Al & Sharon
Oh my gosh, Donnie u will be missed for sure. You welcomed us into your town back in 1989 and was always a super friend . Glenda and family our prayers and hugs Love u all.
Glenda and family I Doreen (Hein) Wilson am so sorry to hear about Donnie’s passing. I will be sure Elaine (Hein) Saint Clair and Louis Hein are aware. Sending our sympathies to you all.
Condolences to the entire family. Always enjoyed golfing with him at Wapsie Ridge. Always had a smile on his face and easy to talk to. RIP.
Condolences to your family 🙏🙏 Always enjoyed the time spent with Don. A good man will be missed.
Glenda and family. Donnie was a super guy and will always be missed by all. He never said hi to anyone without leaving as a friend. He was that special of a guy. Our prayers and healing thoughts go out to you and your families during this sad time. Be strong, God is good. Rest in peace now Donnie.
Donnie meant the world to my kids and family. He helped raise my kids to school age with Glenda as our babysitter. He always was pulling a shenanigan on one of them by teasing in the manner that they recognized with laughter and love. I don’t know what I would have done without him as a great neighbor and friend. Fly high Donnie. You will always have a special place in my family’s heart.
Our deepest sympathies to the entire family…..Sue Moen Schumacher and kids.
Sending our love, hugs, and condolences . Glenda, you, Donnie and the kids were the 2nd family we needed when Katie was young. She always enjoyed her days with you. Donnie will be missed but never forgotten. RIP. Jim, Vicki, and Katie
How lucky we have been to have such caring, kind people as friends- we feel your pain- Patty & Bill Ludwig