Lois Brand

Lois Mildred Brand died at Prairie Meadows Senior Living on Monday, September 23, 2019 in Kasson, Minnesota at the age of 90 years. Lois was born on September 25, 1928 in Floodwood, Minnesota to John Walter Obackka and Ellen Maria Touminen. She was the oldest of three children and attended school in both Kent, Washington and Floodwood, Minnesota before graduating from Floodwood High School. Lois was proud of her Finnish heritage, grew up in Finnish communities, and spoke Finnish as her first language as a child. She met Henry Jr. Brand in Duluth, Minnesota while he was in the Navy. They were married on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1947, in Duluth. Lois enjoyed gardening and was accomplished at sewing, ceramics and pine needle basket weaving. She was especially skilled at Hardanger embroidery and taught it to many others. Lois made friends wherever she was and always had a smile and a cheery outlook on life. Lois and Henry raised four children, mostly in Preston, Minnesota. After Henry retired, they moved to Moose Lake, Minnesota and had a trailer on Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota. They spent their winters in Harlingen, Texas until Henry passed away on June 21, 2003. Lois' favorite place was her trailer on Sturgeon Lake and spent her summers there until moving to Prairie Meadows Senior Living, Kasson, Minnesota in 2013. After moving she knew everyone and all of the latest news. Her Alzheimer's resulted in a move to memory care in December, 2018, at Prairie Meadows Senior Living where she was a favorite of the staff for her cheery personality. Lois is survived by her sister, Marian Harris (Tom), Washington; sister-in-law, Maxine Obacka, Reno, Nevada; her children, Steven Brand (Thim), Oroville, California, Michael Brand (Helen), Rapid City, South Dakota, Cynthia Brodhun (Mark), Byron, Minnesota, and Lori Mueller (Carl), The Villages, Florida; 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Jr. Brand, her brother, Willard Obacka, and her parents, John Walter and Ellen Obackka. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Preston, MN at 1:30 PM Sunday, October 20, 2019. Interment will be at 11:00 AM Monday, October 21, 2019 the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota next to her husband, Henry. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Prairie Meadows Senior Living for dedication to Lois and all the residents. Also, a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of gifts, please send a donation to the Alzheimer's Association. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Brand family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.