Our obituaries page allows for you to light a candle for a loved one or leave a guest comment. You are able to search for obituaries by first and last name or by the date of death.

Ernest W. Brandt

October 25, 1929 - April 25, 2022

Ernest “Ernie” William Brandt, 92, formerly of Waverly, Iowa, passed away Monday, April 25, 2022. He was living in Ankeny, Iowa at the time of his death.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 2, 2022, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (517 SW Des Moines St.) in Ankeny, Iowa, with visitation an hour prior to the service. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Harlington Cemetery (8^th Ave SW) in Waverly, Iowa. The funeral will be livestreamed at the following link: https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral

Ernest was born on October 25, 1929, in Jefferson Township, Bremer County, Iowa, son of Richard and Lillie (Lampe) Brandt. He was baptized on November 24, 1929, and confirmed his faith on April 18, 1943, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Denver. He was united in marriage to Verna Blockhus on August 27, 1950.

Ernest attended Jefferson Township #2 School through eighth grade and graduated from Waverly High School in 1947. He then attended the Radio and Television Institute in Omaha, Nebraska and received his First Class Federal Communications Commission license. He used his degree from 1948-1950 at Radio Station KDEC and KWDC in Decorah, Iowa. From 1950-1960 he farmed by Bremer, Iowa, and from 1960-1966 he was a member of the Waverly Police Department. After leaving the Waverly Police Department he worked at Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance Company, receiving the FLM designation in 1977. He retired on January 1, 1992. His public service continued when he served as Commander of the Waverly Police Reserves and the Civil Service Commission from 1982-2017.

Ernie was a perfectionist. He showed this quality in all his woodworking, furniture refinishing, and fixing or repurposing everything. He enjoyed traveling, and would often build or custom finish his travel trailers.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Verna; two daughters, Roxanne (Marty) Rathje of Ankeny, Iowa, and Susan (Jim) Twedt of Ames, Iowa; two grandchildren, Lisa (Rob Taylor) Rathje of Oak Park, Illinois, and Jon (Jen) Rathje of Ankeny, Iowa; three great-grandsons, Christian and Justice Rathje, and Liam Taylor; and sister, Ethel Otto of Osage Beach, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lorene; and brother, Milton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 301 First St. NW, Waverly, Iowa 50677.