Herbert "Herb" Brand

A celebration of life service will be held for Herbert R. Brand, of Albert Lea, on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 4:00 pm. at Bonnerup Funeral Home in Albert Lea.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service and interment will be at the Hollandale Cemetery.  Military honors will be performed by the Albert Lea Area Veterans Organizations.

Herbert passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the New Richland Care Center at the age of 83.

Born to Herbert and May (Lestrud) Brand of Hollandale, he graduated from Albert Lea High School and joined the United States Army in 1955, serving a three-year tour of duty stationed in Bamberg, Germany.  Music appreciation and playing the saxophone in his high school and army bands were highpoints of his life.

Following military service, he joined his parents in their vegetable farming operation in Hollandale.  He married Karen Christenson on January 2, 1965, and together the couple raised three children.  He enjoyed farming, bowling, fishing at Lake Winnibigoshish in northern Minnesota, politics, his Labrador retrievers, and spending time with family and friends.

As a lifelong farmer, he had an opportunity to serve on several agriculture leadership boards including the Hollandale Marketing Association and the National Potato Board.  In addition, he served as a director on the Board of Education for School District 241 and as a Trustee and Deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen; his daughter, Jill of Sheyenne, North Dakota and her children Lindsay, Alicia, Pieter and Jacob; his daughter, Stephanie and her husband Sean Passingham of Alden and their children Drew and great-granddaughter Blayke, Madi, and Kathryn; and his son, Matthew and his wife Amy of Hollandale and their children Abby, Gwen, Simon and Marcus; also surviving is a brother in-law, David Christenson and his wife, Ruth of Emmons, MN and their children, Lori (Clark) Erickson, Jodi Kilborn, and Danny (Heidi) Christenson and their families.

He was preceded in death by his father Herbert and his mother May.  Memorials can be designated to the American Legion in honor of all who serve our country.