Henry F. Brandt, Jr., 88, Lincoln, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, (8-3-10). Born (4-27-22) to Henry F. Brandt, Sr. and Emma (Steller) Brandt, on a farm southwest of Beatrice. U.S. Navy Veteran (1942-1946). Married Lorene Elsasser on January 9, 1944.
Served on the Gage County Fair Board for 19 years, Nebraska State Fair Board 7 years. Became manager of the Nebraska State Fair in 1964. Under his management improvements were made: 1974 – New Agriculture Hall, 1976 – Bob Devaney Sports Center, 1977 – new grandstand and race track, 1978 – landscape project, 1980 – new beef barn, 1981 – youth complex, 1982 – new horse barns.
Former President of Gage County Farm Bureau, past President of Farmers Co-op Elevator, past President of Kiwanis, past member of Lincoln Sowers Club, Southwood Lutheran Church, the Man Power Commission of the American Lutheran Church and National Mission committee, Mid-West Fairs Association, past President of International Association of Fairs and Expositions 1978-79; lifetime member IAFE, inducted into the IAFE Hall of Fame 1980, an International Certified Fair Manager. Currently was serving on the 1868 State Fair Foundation Board.
Family members include wife: Lorene Brandt; daughter, son-in-law: Connie and Charles Decker, Lincoln; Henry “Rick” and Sharon (Semler) Brandt, Roca, NE; granddaughters, spouses: Desri and Mark Gross, Heidi and Richard Davis; great granddaughter: Effie Gross.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday (8-9-10) Southwood Lutheran Church, 9300 South 40th St. Graveside Service: 2:30 p.m. Monday, Evergreen Home Cemetery, Beatrice, NE.
Memorials to: Southwood Lutheran Church or Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation, P. O. Box 80698, Lincoln, NE 68501
Visitation: Beginning 5:00 p.m. Saturday with family greeting 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Roper and Sons, 4300 ‘O’ Street and one hour prior to service time at the church.