John A. Brand

John A. Brand, age 77 of Fordyce, NE passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Helena, NE with Rev. Eric Olsen officiating. Burial will be in the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Friday, May 31, 2013 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory with a 7:00 PM Wake service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Vern Arens, Bill Arens, Jim Arens, Tom Arens, Paul Arens and Louie Arens.

John was born May 21, 1936 in Orient, SD to Bernard and Mary (Wiepen) Brand. He spent his first four years on the farm southeast of Orient, SD. In 1940, Bernard and Mary moved to the Brand family farm west of St. Helena, NE. John graduated from District 57 School located at the end of the driveway to the Brand farm. John spent his life on the Brand family farm, working with his parents, sister, Elizabeth and nephew, Dan, who had lived with them all his life. The Brand family farm became a Century Farm in 1984. Till his death, John lived on the family farm. John loved the John Deere green tractors, watching game shows; especially the Price is Right, and playing bingo.

John is survived by his sisters, Theresa (Ben) Arens of Yankton, SD and Elizabeth Brand of Fordyce, NE and numerous nephews and nieces.