Harold Brandsoy

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 9, 2009

Harold “Brandy” J. Brandsoy, 87
Harold Brandsoy, 87, died on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Home.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1922, in Blue Earth, Minn., the son of John and Anna (Midtbo) Brandsoy. He graduated from Frost High School and then attended a trade school in Kansas City. After trade school, he went to work for Hayes Manufacturing in Grand Rapids, Mich., where they made parts for wings of airplanes. In 1944 he came back to Minnesota, and during the war Brandy drove Army trucks transporting POW’s to a canning factory outside of Wells, and also helped his father farm. He met Eleanor Siglowski at a dance and on Jan. 19, 1945, they were married at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church in Wells. Following their marriage Brandy and Eleanor lived and farmed on the Brandsoy Farm in Brush Creek Township. They moved to Albert Lea in 1952, where Brandy had worked at Sinclair Gas Station, Northside Creamery and Montgomery Wards. Harold started farming east of Albert Lea in 1955 and also worked at Wilson & Co before retiring. After Eleanor’s death, Brandy had lived for a time in Florida, and then moved back to Albert Lea. He was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, the Elks, Eagles and Moose Clubs. Brandy worked hard to provide for his family. He enjoyed spending time with his buddies fishing “Up North”, family get- togethers – including card games (huckley-buck & poker), playing croquet in the backyard and attending auctions. He loved to travel especially to visit family and friends. His most memorable trips were visiting his relatives in Norway and New Zealand.
Brandy is survived by his seven children, Faye (Brent) Smith, Albert Lea, Dean Brandsoy, Austin, Dennis Brandsoy, Blaine, Janet (Bill Hadley) Anderson, Hickory, N.C., Randy (Dorene) Brandsoy, Canon City, Colo., Sharon (Mike) Tronstad, Hudson, Wis. and Tim Brandsoy of San Diego, Calif.; grandchildren, Michelle (Andy) Schlagel, Burnsville, Minn., Brandon Smith, Minneapolis, Minn., Dena (Ryan) Carroll, Fridley, Minn., Matthew (Carrie) Brandsoy, Austin, Leif (Amber) Anderson, Des Moines, Iowa, Justin (fiancé Shelly) Brandsoy, Ventura, Iowa, Joshua Brandsoy, Lake Mills, Iowa, Seth (Enisa) Brandsoy, Forest City, Iowa, Tiffany Brandsoy, Canon City, Colo., Stacey (Brad) Darsow, Woodbury, Minn., Lindsey (Joel) Krech, Oakdale, Minn.; several great-grandchildren; brother’s-in-law and sister’s-in-law, Melvin Logemann, Fairmont, Minn., Irene Rochman, Wis., Marie Charlson, Albert Lea, Evelyn Schultz, Albert Lea, John (Liesel) Siglowski, Fort Collins, Colo., Robert (Trudy) Siglowski, Albuquerque, N.M., Edie Siglowski, Albert Lea, Larry Siglowski, Calif., Dave Heinze, Bloomington, Minn. and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eleanor “Norie”; son, Douglas; daughter-in-law, Sharon Brandsoy; brothers, Rolf and Alvin; sister, Ruth Logemann and several sister’s-in-law and brother’s-in-law.
The Funeral Service for Harold “Brandy” J. Brandsoy, of Albert Lea, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at St. Theodore Catholic Church, Albert Lea. Father James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Email newsletter signup