Blain Brandenburger

Blain Arthur Brandenburger, 43, New Effington, SD, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2014, with his family by his side.

Funeral Mass was Friday, June 13, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, Rosholt, SD, with Father Joseph Hitpas, OMI, officiating. Visitation at the church was one hour prior to the Mass. Gift carriers were nieces and nephews: Ela, Zoie, Samuel, Nolan, and William. Tom Brandenburger was the reader with Jerry Braun as Eucharistic Minister.

Blain was laid to rest at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Rosholt, SD. Pallbearers were Tim Braun, Dean Brandenburger, Jack Brandenburger, Tony Robertson, Scott Anderson, Brad Eggers, Francis Braun, and Chris Fritz. Honorary Pallbearers were the New Effington Fire Department and the Lien Township Board. A lunch was served by Sacred Heart Ladies; assisted by St. John's Ladies Aid.

Private family prayer was held at Sacred Heart Parish. Public visitation was at the New Effington Community Center, New Effington, SD, on Thursday, June 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Blain Arthur Brandenburger was born on October 4, 1970, to Arthur and Constance (Klein) Brandenburger. He was baptized into the Catholic faith. Blain spent many hours as a young boy tinkering in the shop and time in the fields with his dad and little brother. Mom and his sisters always had dinners and lunches for him. Blain attended Kindergarten through his Junior year at New Effington School. His Senior year was contracted to Rosholt, where he graduated at Rosholt High School in 1989. Blain enjoyed growing up on the farm with his brother, Rodney, and two sisters, Josie and Jennifer. He played "farming" with toy tractors in the trees and in the dirt made sections of fields. He was always riding a bike and wore his farm cap and helped with raising chickens. He played endlessly in the snow. Blain spent many good times at the neighbors.

Growing up he was a quiet observer of all things. With friends he became a fun guy to be around, with endless laughs and good times. He drove his brother and sisters to school in the "big boat" (1973 Ninety-Eight Oldsmobile) with the radio blaring to AC/DC, Guns and Roses, or Quiet Riot. He now enjoyed country music, which greatly pleased his parents. Following high school Blain attended SDSU and graduated from NDSCS with degrees in Mechanical Drafting/Design Technology and Automotive Technology.

During school, Blain continued to be involved with farming. He chose to continue that desire and farmed with his father, brother, uncles, and cousins. Living by New Effington, he was a volunteer fireman with the New Effington Fire Department, an official weather spotter, a Lien Township supervisor, and a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Earlier he also had part time work with Heartland Enterprise, Anderson Trucking, Consumers Co-op Oil Co., and Brooks Motors, where his strong quality work and honesty was admired.

He would laugh and smile with family and friends and generously gave of his time to help someone and worked at events staying until work was done and lights were out.

Blain liked cool sunny days; standing in the shade; blue skies, green fields, and harvest; his blue semi-truck and grain trailer and black Avalanche; John Deere and Chevrolet; standing in his yard taking in nature; the colors blue and black, and silver; hamburgers on the grill; Coke; and cherry pie for his birthday. He enjoyed Nascar racing with Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jimmie Johnson. He wore blue or black polo shirts, blue jeans, his silver tipped cowboy boots, and a smile. In the fields he dug a perfectly straight line and mowed his lawn in the same manner. He voted, flew an American flag in his yard, was gentle with his dogs and cats, and silently watched as the deer walked through his yard. He liked his vehicles clean and items in a row. He was happy to say, "I Am A Farmer".

Blain will always be remembered for his smile, his laugh, being a great friend, having a positive attitude, and always having a kind word.

He enjoyed family time, the 6 of us, and his in-laws of Shelly, Chris, and Bryan. His five nieces and nephews laughed at Blain's humor and watched him drive the grain trucks and tractors, tinker on vehicles, and work in the shop. He always remembered them with gifts and hugs. Blain was his father's farming partner and his mother's friend.

Blain will be loved always by his parents, Art and Connie Brandenburger; brother Rodney Brandenburger and wife Shelly, and Sam; sister Josie and husband Chris Petersen, Ela and Nolan; sister Jennifer and husband Bryan Krump, Zoie and William; Grandmother Henrietta Klein; and an abundance of family and friends.

Blain enters Heaven to be with his Grandparents Nicholas and Mary (Braun) Brandenburger and William P. Klein; and several uncles, aunts, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Blain Brandenburger Foundation for local cancer patients.