June 25, 1930 – March 25, 2026

Minerva Joy Jankord Brandt was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, all of whom she shared her life with love and joy.  She was born in Watertown, SD, the oldest of twins on June 25, 1930. 

She carried with her a spirit of independence that led her on a journey unlike that of most in her family as she first left home in Watertown, SD to work in Minneapolis, MN.  She later met her husband Richard Brandt on the dance floor, and followed him around the country as they moved their ever-growing family first to Blue Bell, PA, then the Los Angeles, CA area and finally planting their feet in Friendswood, TX where, together, they raised a family of seven children.

They became members of what was then a mission but soon after became the parish of Mary Queen Catholic Church where they both were heavily active.  She was a member of the choir, donated time in the food pantry, volunteered as a worker at the annual spring festivals and attended church daily for as long as she was physically able.  One of her favorite activities was shopping the Mary Queen Christmas craft show with her daughters and granddaughters, and always looking for the spoon jewelry.  She took great joy in raising her children, but especially participating in the many dancing activities of her younger daughters.  One of her greatest joys, however, were the many motorcycle trips she took with her husband even traveling as far as the California coast.

After her husband passed away, she met Ernest Harris, her second love of her life.  Through him, she made many new friends in the Woodsboro, TX area, learned to play golf, drive a golf cart and continued dancing through life. 

In the course of her life, she faced many transitions with remarkable strength and courage.  Among them, she was a survivor of both colon and breast cancer.  Her final transition came after Ernest’s passing when she moved back to Friendswood.  She reconnected with old friends, including her best friend Joann, and lived her life to the fullest especially enjoying meeting with friends to play bingo and bunco.  As our family grew too large to fit in any one house, she started renting Jones Hanger and inviting family to what we called “Christgiving”.  With great joy, she would gather us in a circle and lead the prayer leaving each family member feeling the warmth of welcome.

She had many stories to tell.  When telling about some of the quirky things we did, she would say “It was a Brandt thing”.  More than anything else, she brought joyful optimism and prayer to all of her family and friends who were in need.

Following a short illness, on March 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family, she peacefully breathed her last and walked away with God.  She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength and compassion in all of us.  Her life was a blessing; her memory a true treasure; and her love will continue to guide our family for generations to come.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard A. Brandt, her son Richard B. Brandt, her parents Bernard and Agnes (Wensing) Jankord, sisters Mary (Norbert) Ronke, Marcella (Harvey) Engler, Donna (George) Tellekson, Marjorie (Nick) Berg and Betty (Odell) Nygaard.

She is survived by her son Mason Brandt Sr. and daughters Sheila (Frank) Gaudiano, Victoria (Keith) Coleman, Paula (Steve) Winebaugh, Isabel (Milton) Clark and Christina (Joseph) Schnieders as well as 17 grandchildren Krystal (Brian) Perkins, Jacob Clark, Jason (Denise) Baker, Mason Edward Brandt Jr., Matthew (Morgan) Coleman, Stephanie (Justin) Boehm, Justin (Tonya) Baker, Adrienne (Bernard) Ng, Roxanne (Omar) Brandt-Mahmood, Cody Winebaugh, Jessica (Peter) Del Pozo, Joshua (Jamie) Baker, Preston Tieman, Brody (Kelsey) Winebaugh, Jerrod Baker, Haley (Ren) Vinson, Grant Schnieders.  And she is survived by a true legacy of 34 great-grandchildren.

Her life will be celebrated on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood with a viewing at 9:30 am and rosary at 10:00 am.  The Mass will follow at 10:30 am, and burial at Mt Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson.  A reception will follow the burial at Mary Queen, and all are invited.

Pallbearers will be Justin Boehm, Preston Tieman, Brody Winebaugh, Jerrod Baker, Ren Vinson, Grant Schnieders and Brian Perkins as honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in her memory be made to Mary Queen Catholic Church, Friendswood thus reflecting her lifelong faith and service.