John Brands was born on December 30, 1930, to Evert and Fannie (Driesen) Brands in rural Rock Valley, Iowa. He attended country school near Jasper, Minnesota, and enjoyed fishing with his dad and riding bicycle whenever he could.
While courting his future wife, Mary, together they enjoyed spending evenings roller-skating and square skipping. John and Mary were united in marriage on March 25, 1954, at her parents’ home near Ellsworth, Minnesota. Together, they moved to various farmsteads in southwest Minnesota before settling in 1965 on an acreage west of Kenneth, Minnesota.
John and Mary faced the heartbreaking loss of their first three children, Freida May, Walden Lee, and Frieda Lenae, at the young ages of 2, 7 and 6. Despite their grief, their faith remained steadfast, shaping their lives and guiding them through difficult times.
In the early 1990s, John retired from dairy farming, but continued crop farming until 2010. He and Mary transitioned to an apartment in Edgerton in the fall of 2015. In August 2023, John became a resident at Edgebrook Care Center where he passed on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the age of 94 years, 4 months, and 28 days.
A member of the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne, John exemplified quiet strength and unwavering faith. His presence was felt not through his words, but through the way he lived — leading by example, dedicating every Sunday to worship, and ensuring Bible readings and prayer were shared at every meal. John found joy in spending time with family, fishing, and attending tractor pulls, as well as annual visits to Farmfest and the Spencer Fair.
John’s legacy lives on in his wife, Mary; their six children, Elwin (Norma) Brands of Edgerton, Minnesota, Linda (Brian) DeWeerd of Garvin, Minnesota, Wayne Brands of Beaver Creek, Minnesota, Darwin (Janine) Brands of Luverne, Minnesota, Verlyn Brands of Kenneth, Minnesota, and Cheryl (Michael) Fey of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 17 grandchildren, Anita Brands, Austin (Mary) Brands, Adam (Amber) Brands, Danielle (Jason) Gylling, Joni (Josh) Meyer, Nicole (Shawn) Holmquist, Lindsay Weber, Alison Willers, Tyler Brands, Katelyn (Mark) VanAartsen, Nathan Brands, Amanda Hoffenkamp, Jessica Brands, Cassondra Yonzon, Bailey (Brooklyn) Fey, Courtney (Jaustin) Piepho, and Keegan Fey; 20 great-grandchildren, and siblings, Rolena Dooyema, Hank (Marlene) Brands, Harry (Marilyn) Brands, Bernie (Susan) Brands; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.
John was preceded in death by his children, Freida May, Walden Lee, and Frieda Lenae; granddaughter, Ashley Ann Von Holtum; siblings, Johanna Brands, James (Hattie) Brands, Gerrit Brands, Gerrit (Hattie) Brands, Henrietta (Gerrit) VanDyke, Edward (Marcene) Brands, Lorraine (Albert) Van Dyke, and Frances (John) Groenewold, as well as his brother-in-law, Harvey Dooyema.
A funeral service was at 11 a.m. Monday, June 2, at the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. Visitation was from 9:30-11 a.m. prior to the service. Interment was at the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Arrangements were entrusted to Hartquist Funeral Home.
Please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com to sign an online registry and to view John’s life history and LifeTribute slideshow.
