Val Brandt

On Friday, February 14, 2025, Valjean (Val) Frederick Brandt passed away peacefully at age 92 with his two sons by his side.  Val was born in Jasper County, Iowa on February 28^th, 1932, to the late Ray and Violetta Brandt (Klauenberg).

Val grew up working on farms in central Iowa, often separated from his parents, due to the hardships of the Depression, which instilled in him the values of hard work. Val graduated from Bondurant High School in 1951 in a class of 15.  Days later he enlisted in the United States Navy.

Val served four years aboard USS Bremerton (CA-130) sailing out of Long Beach, California.  During his tours off the coast of Korea, he participated in multiple naval bombardment operations. It was while stationed in Long Beach that Val met Arlene and six months after being discharged from the Navy they married on November 25^th, 1955, in Cincinnati, Ohio, choosing this date to honor her parents, who had married on the same date in 1924. Throughout his life he declared that this was the happiest time of his life.

Val attended Iowa State briefly aiming for a degree in electrical engineering, however, due to financial constraints and the arrival of their first son, Kevin, they decided to return to Cincinnati where he began his career with Westinghouse Elevators.

His strong work ethic allowed him to advance within the union and eventually into Westinghouse management. During this time, they bought a house and welcomed their second son, Martin, into their lives.

Val and Arlene joined Pilgrim United Church of Christ where he took on numerous roles in lay leadership and served on the Monday Crew well into his 80’s. It was at Pilgrim that Val joined his sons in the Boy Scouts, where he became a leader and shared the boy’s enthusiasm for camping, hiking, and canoeing.

Val and Arlene purchased a small cabin on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. With a never-ending to-do list, Val firmly established himself as the Energizer Bunny of the family by working late into the evenings until he was too tired to stand. At that point he and Arlene would relax and watch the barges and paddlewheelers go by.

Val and Arlene loved to travel, visiting family and friends and Kevin in the national parks where he worked. Marty and Donna invited them on a tour of Europe, which sparked their enduring love for international travel culminating with a family trip to Switzerland to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Val was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He was married to Arlene for 66 years and is survived by his two sons: Kevin (Nancy) and Martin (Donna). seven grandchildren:  Ellie Nixon (John), Delaney, Parker, Carson, Ashley Schirmann (Tim), Nathan (Alexis) and Megan Hines (Brad) and ten great-grandchildren:  Finley, Nora, Brody, Ella, Owen, Romy, Daxson, Oaklynd, Letty and Sutton. Val was predeceased by his two sisters: Lorna (Bernard), and Charlene (Chet). Thank you, Dad, and grandpa for showing us true love and devotion. Forever in our thoughts, forever in our hearts, forever we will love you.

Friends and family are invited to gather on April 11^th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. at Eagles Lake Landing Clubhouse located at 5150 Shore View Run, Cincinnati where light food and beverages will be served.

A graveside service will be held at Arlington Memorial Gardens on Saturday April 12^th, 2025. Memorials can be made in memory of Val’s life to a charity of your choosing.

The family extends their gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Harrison Trails Health Campus and Queen City Hospice for their compassionate care during his final months.