Clear, 38° F
(Nov. 17, 2009)
Russell Dean Brandt, 91, died Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Powell Valley Care Center.
He was born June 17, 1918 in Warren, Mont., to Homar and Mayme (Fischer) Brandt. He attended Powell schools until his ninth-grade year, when he left school to work on the family farm south of Powell. He helped his family trail dairy cows from their farm in Red Lodge to the farm in Powell for many years.
In January 1938 he married the love of his life, Betty B. Steele. This January, they would have been married 72 years. From that union they were blessed with two daughters: Rhoda Jean and Judy.
Russell worked many jobs, including working on the North Fork highway while living in a tent house. He spent time working for other area farmers and in the oilfields, eventually buying his own farm north of Powell in 1948. In addition to farming, he also worked for Dick Jones Trucking for 35 years.
He enjoyed outdoor activities, traveling, dancing, family meals and winning at cards. Russell and his family spent many hours fishing at Buffalo Bill Reservoir, where they had a trailer at the boat club for 20 years. For many years, they spent their winters in Yuma, Ariz.
Russell is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter Judy Bennett of Powell; sister Cecil Garrison of Klamath Falls, Ore.; grandchildren Russ Whitlock (Diane) of Red Lodge, Jodie Warchola (Terry) of Mayerthorpe, Alberta, Canada, and Tye Whitlock (Jayme), Rebecca Herd, Tia Campbell, Zane Bennett, Tara Schell (Dave) and Tana Brown (Darold), all of Powell; 28 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Ray, Delmer and Ernest “Bud”; sister Helen May and daughter Jeannie Whitlock.
Cremation has taken place with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Thompson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
