Clarence J. (Ted, Berry, Gramps) Brandt, 95, died Nov. 8, 2007 at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.  A funeral service was held Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Derik Yarian officiating. Interment was Tuesday at Fairview Cemetery, Story City, Iowa.  Memorials will be given to the Cyndi Wiess Women’s Health Initiative at Shaktishifa Health Foundation, a clinic dear to Ted and his great-niece.
    Clarence was born on Nov. 7, 1912, south of Hubbard, Iowa in Grant Township on the family farm.  His birth was in the same room where his son was to be born 30 years later while Clarence was farming the family farm.  Clarence went to elementary school at Mud Swamp School, number 6, on the east edge of the farm.  He farmed south of Hubbard until 1972 when, after his kids were grown, he and his wife bought tourist cottages at Clear Lake.  They moved to the lake to tend the cottages and host the summer guests who became their friends.
    He is survived by his daughter, Karen Black of Clear Lake, and her two children: son, Richard Black of Bellingham, Wash., his wife, Teresa and their children, Amelia, Noah, and Clara; and daughter, Cherylyn Rygg of Lynnfield, Mass., her husband, Odd and their children, Elysabeth and Ian.  He is also survived by his son, Larry Brandt and his wife, Marie Mayer of Ames, Iowa and his two children, son Matthew Brandt of Springfield, Mo., his wife, Manda and their children, Arabella and Bairon; and son, Patrick Brandt of Windemere, Fla.  Also surviving is one sister, Esther Sampson of Hubbard; former daughter-in-law, Rhonda Brandt, and 11 nephews and nine nieces.
    He was preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Mathilde Juliana (Tillie) Brandt; three sisters, Anna Seitz, Minnie Papenfuss, and Elnora Taber; five brothers, Herman, John, Albert, Edward, and Arthur; six nephews; three nieces; all of his childhood friends; his neighbor and good friend, Erna Lawyer; his favorite pony; most of his fishing buddies; his best hunting dog; and saddest of all, his wife of 60 years, Charlotte.
    “You have been told that, even like a chain, you are as weak as your weakest link.  This is but half the truth.  You are also as strong as your strongest link.  To measure you by your smallest deed is to reckon the power of the ocean by the frailty of its foam.”
    There are no graves here. 
    These mountains and plains are a cradle and a stepping-stone.
    Whenever you pass by the fields where you have laid your ancestors look well thereupon, and you shall see yourselves and your children dancing hand in hand.”  --Kahlil Gibran
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.