Janice Brandt

Janice (Laidley) Brandt was born January 20,1935 to Lawrence and Blanche (Johnson) Laidley at the Coleman Hospital, Estherville, IA. She and her sister, Janet, were the first twins born at that hospital. She was baptized at the Methodist M.E. Church, Whittemore, IA . As a child, she lived in several small towns in Iowa including Estherville, Whittemore, Rockwell and Garden City. Most of Janice’s school years were spent in the Garden City and Radcliffe area. She was a softball pitcher and assisted her team in their effort to win the conference title game, but unfortunately the team took second place. For a few years she managed a crew that detasseled corn in the summer. On February 28, 1951, Janice was united in marriage to Kenneth Brandt at the Zion United Church of Christ parsonage in Hubbard, IA. They lived on the Brandt family farm south of Hubbard. There they raised four daughters, Peggy, Kathaleen, Sandra and Kay Jean. Janice was a working partner with Kenny in the farming operation. She also worked for over 20 years at the Ellsworth Municipal Hospital as a CNA, OB CNA and ward clerk. After retiring from the hospital, she worked part time for many years as the “lobby lady” at McDonald’s in Story City where she made many wonderful friends. Janice and Kenny enjoyed being outdoors. They loved to fish and camp. Their travels included many fishing trips in Canada and over thirty years of wintering in Arizona with family and friends. Our mother was a wonderful cook and was known for making great meals at moment’s notice even when surprise company stopped by and she hadn’t been to town to restock the pantry. Janice passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2022 at the Hubbard Care Center. Janice is survived by her daughters Peggy (Jim) Spaid of Garden City, Kathy Houck of Radcliffe, Sandy (Jack) Miller of Iowa Falls and Kay (James) Landis of Dickeyville, WI. Three Grandchildren, Renae (Andrew) Morrison of Naperville, IL, Ryan Houck (Ashley) of Nevada, IA and Jami Stupp of Eldora, IA. Two step grandchildren, Jody (Steve) Webb and Tim (Candy) Miller. Six great-grandsons, Tucker, Cy and Bryce Houck, Mathias and Malachi Stupp and Alex Morrison. Five step great-grandchildren, Chelsea (Jake) Rouse, Allie Webb, Tessa (Bryan) Smithberg, Jake Webb and Nick Miller. Four step great-great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Evelyn, Margo and Adair Rouse. Four sisters, Lorraine Eddy, Janet (Duane “Duke”) Nessa, Maridee (Denny) Ward and Judy Laidley. One sister-in-law Arlene Brandt and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny, parents Lawrence Laidley and Blanche Laidley-Polsdofer, stepfather Harvey Polsdofer, parents-in-law Ernest and Edna Brandt, sisters Maxine Morris and Marilyn Hinderaker, brothers-in-law Elmer Eddy, Pat Morris, Lester Hinderaker, Merlin Brandt, Glen Brandt, and sister-in-law Elaine Davis, step brother James Polsdofer. The family is so grateful for the care, love and respect provided by Mary O’Connor ARNP, the Hubbard Care Center and Care Initiative Hospice.