Sean Michael Brandstrom

Of Maplewood, Minnesota

John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them; and I will raise them up at the last day."

Sean was loved dearly by many, including his mother, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, and close friends. He is reunited in heaven with his brother David Brandstrom, grandparents Armand and Marcia Charbonneau, cousin Mickey Ziemer, and good friend Carlos Wilcox.

From his earliest years, Sean was never idle. He had passion in him. He had ambitious dreams and an insatiable desire to learn. He was a truth-seeker and was drawn irresistibly to biblical scripture, and to history. He rejected half-measures and comfortable assumptions and pursued the word of God with fierce, unrelenting intensity that echoed the prophets.

That intensity was both gift and burden. When spiritual complacency settled, Sean instinctively disturbed it, calling others to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus. He wanted to better the world, yet everything this world offered felt painfully small. Life's distractions and disappointments sidetracked him at times, but his love for God never wavered. He knew that God's love is unfailing.

He has been taken from us far too soon, carrying that impassioned fire with him. But the embers he scattered among us will continue to glow; they will not be extinguished. We are warmer, braver, stronger, and more awake because Sean passed through our lives demanding that we, too, burn with the love of the Lord.

A Catholic funeral service will be held on Friday, December 19, with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., and mass starting at 11:00 a.m. at Guardian Angles Church, 8260 4th St N., Oakdale, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, December 22, with a visitation starting at 3:00 p.m., and the service starting at 5:00 p.m. at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd, Stillwater, MN.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food shelf this holiday season.