Gerald "Oscar" Frederick Brandt

Funeral services for Oscar Brandt will be held Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.  Father Todd Schneider will be celebrating the mass.  A visitation will be Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 8 p.m. at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.  

Gerald “Oscar” Frederick Brandt was born to Earl and Bernice (Ring) Brandt on October 9, 1943 in Morris, Minnesota. He and his family resided and attended Catholic Church in Donnelly for the first decade of his life until eventually moving to Morris. After attending school in Morris, Oscar stayed in the area starting his life-long career as a beverage salesman, first at Coke and then at Elmer’s as a beer salesman, followed by a salesman for the off-sale liquor store. He ended up becoming known as “Oscar the beer man.” 

On June 13, 1970 Oscar was united in marriage to Germaine “Toots” Ann Ebnet. To this union three children were born: Lisa, Paula, and Chad. Oscar was a wonderful father, and eventually grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids – teasing, going for drives, and attending sporting events. 

While not at work or spending time with his family, Oscar took pride in volunteering with the fire department, where he served for 23 years, and raising the flag at many of the University of Minnesota, Morris Cougars and Morris High School Tigers football games. One could frequently find Oscar bowling, golfing, and watching game shows. He also enjoyed being a member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Eagles. 

Oscar was well known and well liked by many. His family liked to joke that they couldn’t take him anywhere without him running into someone he knew. This was often proven true, including when on a trip to Las Vegas when he ran into an acquaintance while walking through a casino. 

Towards the end of his life, Oscar battled both esophageal cancer and dementia. In June of 2022 Oscar moved to West Wind Village in Morris for a short time until moving to the memory care unit at the Legacy House in November. Oscar passed away at his residence on January 13, 2023; he was 79 years old. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Germaine “Toots” of Morris; children: Lisa (Kirk) Kolden of Morris, Paula Brandt of Eden Prairie, Chad (Sam) Brandt of Alexandria; grandchildren: Eric (Kathy) Kolden, Mason Brandt, Lucas Brandt, Alexander Bartels; great-grandchildren: Jack Kolden, Reid Kolden, Nevaeh Johnson, Lorenzo Bartels, Leon Bartels; siblings: Thomas (Jeanine) Brandt, Gregory (Colleen) Brandt, Deborah Brandt, Cynthia Barvels, Susan (Joe) Michel, Kevin (Wendy) Brandt; as well as many beloved extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Bernice Brandt; sister, Joyce Elgin; nephews, Steven and David Elgin; brother-in-law, Roland Barvels; best friend and brother-in-law, Dennis Hawkenson.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Oscar.