Ronald Brandt

Ronald Brandt, 84, of Ackley, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023 at CedarStone Senior Living in Cedar Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the St. John's United Church of Christ in Ackley. He will be laid to rest at the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-5 PM on Wednesday, January 18 at the church. Counsell Woodley Funeral Home, Inc. of Iowa Falls is caring for Ron and his family. Ronald Lee Brandt was born on January 19, 1938 to Ben and Effie (Buseman) Brandt in Ackley, Iowa. He attended country school in Ackley until the eighth grade when he began to work on the farm. On February 26, 1960 Ron was united in marriage to Sharon Schutt at Vernon Lutheran Church in Williams, IA, and the couple had four children: Wade, Beth, Jane and Drew. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Ackley. Ron was visionary, inventive, a true leader and an extraordinarily hard worker. He began his career working for a power company and became a foreman by age 16, leading a crew in clearing trees along the Mississippi River. He enlisted in the Army Reserves and served for 6 years. In 1956, he began working construction for Bob Flessa and later began his own construction company, Brandt Construction. He built many churches, homes and factories over his years and later specialized in concrete flatwork. Ron’s legacy can be seen across multiple counties as he built and remodeled many buildings including Bethel Reformed Church (Aplington), Evansdale Reformed Church, Second Christian Reformed Church (Wellsburg), Bethel Presbyterian Church (Grundy Center), Ackley Canning Factory, Dodger Industries, Triple T Specialty Meats, the Wellsburg Community Center, Shell Rock swimming pool, O’s Gold Seed Plant in Parkersburg, and hundreds of hog confinements, Chief grain bins, and Kensett homes. In 1980, Ron and Sharon began farming west of Ackley and raised cattle, hogs and sheep. He was especially proud of his Simmental cattle and his Kerry Hill sheep; his favorite farmhand was his Australian Shepherd, Merle. Ron was a lifelong Ackley resident and took pride in helping with community events and projects. For over 20 years, he cooked ‘kraut for the people of Ackley at the annual Sauerkraut Days on a portable cooking trailer he made from scratch. He was extremely community minded and generous with his time, equipment and expertise. He enjoyed collecting all kinds of antiques and had fun rotating farm equipment behind the horse display in the front yard, being especially proud of his World War 1 military wagon. Ron is survived by his children, Wade (Suzanne) Brandt of Hermosa, SD, Jane (Steve) Lindaman of Waterloo, Drew (Susan) Brandt of Ackley; son-in-law, Randy (Dawn) Claussen; nine grandchildren: Alexis (Frank) Peterson, Amy Brandt, Derek and Brandt Claussen, Ryan and Luke Lindaman, Maddie, Tori and Eli Brandt; three great-grandsons, Marshall and Zach Claussen and Deacon Peterson; siblings: Arlene Hoodjer, Dorothy (Stan) Hippen, Marvin (Roberta) Brandt and LeRoy (Lynne) Brandt, sisters-in-law, Judy Brandt, Sally Schutt, and Norma Schutt; two brothers-in-law, Fred (Mary) Schutt, Tom (Pam) Schutt and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Beth Claussen; his parents; brother, Jake Brandt and in-laws, Les Hoodjer, Anna (Henry) Huisinga, Marilyn (Melvin) Ubben, John Schutt and Bill Schutt.

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Ronald Brandt

January 19, 1938 - January 13, 2023