Obituary: Donna Jeannine Brandt

March 26, 1930 ~ October 23, 2022

Jean Brandt, 92, of Ellison Bay died peacefully on October 23, 2022. Jean was born in Madison, WI on March 26, 1930 to Donald and Verda Myers. Jean grew up with her parents and younger sister Patrica in Madison where she graduated high school. Not long after being set up on a date by her aunt Norma, Jean married Albert Brandt on February 3rd, 1951. 

The couple began their married life in Madison, moved many times for Albert’s career, before ultimately settling in the suburbs of Washington DC, where they raised their five children, Dave, Sandy, Steve, Linda, and Jerry. In 1974, the couple returned home to Wisconsin to retire in Gills Rock. Jean remained a loyal Door County resident for the rest of her life, despite her aversion to snow (that “yucky white stuff”) and the passing of Albert in 1996.

Jean lived a life of many passions, cross-stich, country music, tiny dogs, and baking the absolute best cookies being just a few. But the guiding force of her life was undoubtedly the love and care she showed everyday for her family. Jean was a mother who never stopped cheering on her children’s successes or comforting them in their times of need. She was always ready to get up to no good with her little sister, Pat. And she was a grandmother who never forgot a birthday even though her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would grow to number 30. For decades she hosted every family Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter with fantastic food, lots of laughter, and sometimes a little sass for whoever hogged the devilled eggs. She was the character of her family and her legacy will always be especially felt when any of her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, and spouses gather for a family  meal. 

Survivors include her two sisters, Patricia and Linda, and her brother, Tom; brother-in-law Walton (Rita) Brandt; two daughters Sandy (Mike) Sawyer and Linda (Larry) Frea; two sons Steve (John) Brandt and Jerry Brandt; daughter-in-law Kari Brandt;  eighteen grandchildren Prescott (Tracy) Fentress, Jonathan (Cynthia) Fentress, Melissa (Bob) Taylor, Sarah Brandt, Chelsey (Josh) Kostka, Anna (Josh) Olson, Steve Brandt, Mary (Shawn) Sawyer, Ali (Kyle) Delfosse, John Sawyer, Carolyn (Eric) Griffith, Caitie (Adam) Kostka, David (Brandon) Sawyer, Danny (Trish) Brandt, Shiloh (Jeff) Conoley, Pat Brandt, Hannah Brandt, Will Brandt; eleven great-grandchildren Emily Fentress, Allison Fentress, Eliana Taylor, Sam Taylor, Gracie Bongle, Daniel Olson, Cassidy Fentress, Fischer Fentress, Gabriel Conoley, Kam Delfosse, Peyton Conoley; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Jean was preceded in death by her parents and husband, her beloved son Dave Brandt, and her beautiful granddaughter Amanda Brandt. 

A Celebration of the Life of Jean Brandt will be held at a later date. Forbes Funeral Home is serving the family.

Her family would like to thank Unity Hospice and the staff at Anna’s Healthcare for their wonderful support to the family and heartfelt care of Jean.