Mildred Brandt

Mildred Muriel Brandt

1914-2016

Mildred Muriel Brandt (affectionately known by family and friends as "Millie"), age 102, passed away on February 25, 2016 at Lakeview Hospice in Stillwater, MN.

Millie was born before World War I to Martha and Carl Miller on February 19, 1914 in Brainerd, MN. Her father built a log cabin near Brainerd, as his goal was to become a farmer. Her mother was a city girl, determined to become a good farmer's wife. The family lived in Brainerd until Millie was six years old, and then moved to St. Paul for five years. Millie spent the remaining years of her childhood in the Centerville, MN, area, where the family had returned to farming. Millie was the eldest of four children.

Millie went to a one-room school house in Centerville. She graduated from eighth grade, concluding her formal education. At age sixteen, Millie became a nanny for the children of William Hamm, president of Hamm's Brewery in St. Paul.

During Millie's last years as a nanny, she met her future husband, Harold Brandt. She was at a friend's house and Harold was there, too. He said, "If you've got a token and three cents, I'll take you home." The year was 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression. Harold hadn't found a job since graduating from high school. Millie was happy to have met a gentleman who would take her home on the streetcar, and even more impressed that Harold would not accept a token to return home. He had to walk home many miles that evening, and many more in those that followed.

Harold and Millie were married in 1938 at a Lutheran Church in St. Paul. At the time, Harold was working for the Swift Company. He later owned an advertising business. Millie was a wonderful homemaker and mother. On July 13, 1941, their son David was born. Four years later Kathy was born on April 13, 1945, and then Carolyn on April 25, 1948. Millie said her happiest days came after she and Harold were married, and their children were born. In 1957, they built a home on the St. Croix River.

Millie served her family and the Lord. She was a faithful servant and follower of Jesus Christ, praying continuously and reminding others that God is Good. Millie was deeply involved at St. Croix Valley United Methodist Church. She served on building committees, organized rummage sales, provided soup suppers, mentored others, and volunteered for Little Church of Hope, Union Gospel Mission, and Cursillo events. Millie willingly served others; she was God's love in action.

Others will remember Millie for her faithfulness to family and friends, and for her beautiful gardens and wonderful cooking. Her strength, smile, and generosity stood out. Millie's advice for living a full and long life was, "Stay interested in living and stay out of trouble."

Millie is preceded in death by her husband, Harold; parents, Martha and Carl Miller; and brothers, Kenneth and Floyd. She is survived by her closest friend and sister, Eileen Howell; her three children, David (Sandy) Brandt; Kathleen Brandt, Carolyn (Don) Cunningham; her five grandchildren, Randa Brandt (Savvas Papaiacovou), Todd Brandt, Jody (Keith) Radtke, Crystal (Brian) Shaeffer, Carl (Nanci Radke) Cunningham; and great-grandsons, Tyler Radtke, Joshua Radtke, Nathan Radtke, Jacob Papaiacovou, and Forest Cunningham.

Millie was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and the St. Croix valley community.