Walter Joseph Brandenburger

Walter J. Brandenburger, 83, Rosholt, SD, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2015, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Funeral Mass was Monday, June 8, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt with Father Stanley Wieser and Father Jerome Ranek officiating. Music was provided by organist Kay King and vocalists Sue Sykora and Stacey Borgheiinck.

Burial was in the St. Nicholas Cemetery, rural Rosholt. Military honors were provided by the Read Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington. Honorary pallbearers were the Rosholt Area Threshermen. Active pallbearers were Dean, Jack, David and Rodney Brandenburger, Dale Ceroll and Donnie Sand.

Visitation was Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt.

Walter Joseph Brandenburger was born September 11, 1931. He was the sixth child and oldest son of thirteen children born to Nicholas and Mary Anna (Braun) Brandenburger. Walter was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt, where he was a lifelong member.

Walter attended St. Francis Academy in Hankinson, ND, a Victor Township country school, Rosholt Elementary and Morris Minnesota Ag School. After receiving his education, he farmed with his father.

During the Korean Conflict, Walter served in the Army from March 19, 1953 until March 18, 1955 as a member of the military police. For his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal. After his discharge he returned to the farm, which had been homesteaded by his grandfather, and continued farming with his father until his parents retired.

Walter continued to farm with his brothers, and later his nephews joined the operation. He also ran a repair shop on the farm, using his expertise as a mechanic to help many a friend and neighbor. He especially enjoyed working on engines. With the purchase of a "cat" and dozer, he spent many an hour cleaning up farmsteads, removing trees and burying rock piles.

Walter and Avis Bentson Pohl were married on June 27, 1975. He opened his home to her family and became a beloved "Dad" and "Grandpa." They continued to farm until he retired. Walter and Avis enjoyed much of the same things in life and together did some traveling and shared many adventures together.

Walter was a member of the Rosholt Area Threshermen's Association and spent a lot of time helping improve the grounds and prepare for the improvements.

NOAA Co-operative Weather Observers since 1989, Walter and Avis were given the John Camponius Award for excellence in weather record keeping in 2011.

Tractors, cars and pickups were items that he collected. Many tractors were restored; it was always a challenge to Walter to fix and "tune up" vehicles and tractors.

Walter loved the land and farming; this too was a challenge to get it to produce to the fullest. He did not feel that he owned the land, but rather that he was the manager, as his grandfather and father had been before him, knowing that it would be passed on to the next generation. He seemed happiest when he climbed into his combine and began the harvest to see what the land produced that year and how it could be improved for the future.

Walter was a generous man always ready to help someone in need in any way he could. He was a firm believer in the truth, because there is no other way to live but with honesty.

Walter will be missed by family and his many friends.

Survivors include his wife, Avis of Rosholt; Karen and Franny Renelt of Rosholt, Donna and Ken Baker of Moorhead, MN, and Dedre' and Dave Erickson of Fargo, ND; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brother, Art and Connie Brandenburger; sisters, Charlotte Lonnee, Dorothy Huehn, Evelyn Virnig, Mary Ann Robertson, and Shirley Lind; sister-in-law, Marlene Brandenburger and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Mary Brandenburger; sisters, Florence, Bernice, and Irene; and brothers, Chuck, Nick and Paul Brandenburger.

The family requests memorials be directed to the Northeast Care and Rehabilitation Center or the Rosholt Area Threshermen's Association.