Harold Oscar Merle Brandon was born on March 24, 1931 in Thief River Falls, MN. to Oscar and Helga (Johnson) Brandon. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Thief Lake and attended Honor Bright county school in Cedar Township, Marshall County through the 8th grade and then helped work on his family farm. Harold helped his Dad with the farming and self-taught himself to play guitar and in his spare time playing for many dances in his teens with a number of different bands. On January 8, 1955 he was united in marriage to Jean Samuelson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls and they left for the Cities soon after to find work. Harold worked at Johnson Well Screen and he and Jean had a small apartment in a house in St. Paul. In Dec. of 1955 Scott was born and after a year and a few months they decided to move to back to the Middle River/Thief Lake community to help his Dad on the farm. They lived with them for a while and then at the Haugen farm, and in 1957 they moved back and took over his family’s farm. With a busy farm life, he didn't play at dances as often as he once did, and with four more children born during this time, Wendy, Pam, Terry, and Julie, they were kept busy with school events. Harold also worked for Marvin Windows for about 5 years and also Fleet Supply after he sold his cows. After many years of playing guitar he formed his own band, calling it "Rambling Fever" after their theme song. They became a popular band for dances in the area. They also played at the county fair. Harold was very proud of all the guys in his band. A year ago in January he played his last dance. Harold passed away on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. at the age of 84 years and 24 days.
Harold was a lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Supervisor on the Cedar Township board for 40 years; retiring last year, and was also on the Co-op Board for many years. Harold was a man of many talents and could fix anything, using his carpentry skills to build many projects for his family and others.
He is survived by his loving wife Jean of 60 years, his children Scott (Cindy) Brandon, Wendy (Lee) Carriere, Pamela (Marc) Schenkey all of Middle River, Terry (Joan) Brandon of Thief River Falls, and Julie (Ed) Gronewold of Newfolden, 8 grandsons: Germaine Carriere, Andrew (Erin) Schenkey, Jake (Stephanie) Schenkey, Troy (PJ Amundson) Brandon, Michael (Meggen) Brandon, Chris Brandon, Tony (Beth) Brandon, and Jamey Brandon, 9 granddaughters: Leslie (David) Sondreal, Leann (Brant) Hagen, MacKenzie (fiancée Don Forrett) Carriere, Tara Schenkey, Elizabeth (Brandon) Johnson, Jennifer (Billy Murray) Brandon, Rhandi (Tyler) Knutson, Whitney (Kyle) Gerardy, and Morgan (Sam Holmgren) Halvorson, 28 great grandchildren, 1 brother Darrell (Avis) Brandon, 1 brother in law Kermit Kemnitz, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, 1 grandson Cody Brandon, 2 great grandchildren, 2 sisters Lois Kemnitz and Delores Brandon, son in law Mark Halvorson, and his niece Diana Kemnitz.
Funeral services were held at 2:00PM, Friday, April 24, 2015 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Thief Lake with Pastor Craig Bowyer presiding. Musicians for the service were Pat Hanson, Germaine Carriere, Elizabeth Johnson, Gary & Howard Hodne, and Harold’s band members from Ramblin’ Fever – Harry Scramstad, Dale Rogers, Dan Vigness, Donovan Ruud, and Dave Hoglin. Howard’s Casket Bearers were his grandsons Germaine Carriere, Andrew Schenkey, Jake Schenkey, Troy Brandon, Michael Brandon, Chris Brandon, Tony Brandon, and Jamey Brandon. Honorary Bearers were his granddaughters Leslie Sondreal, Leann Hagen, MacKenzie Carriere, Tara Schenkey, Elizabeth Johnson, Jennifer Brandon, Rhandi Knutson, Whitney Gerardy, Morgan Halovorson and all of Harold’s band members throughout the years.
Visitation was held after 6:00PM, Thursday, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Thief Lake, with a prayer service at 7:00PM. Visitation was also held one hour prior to services at the church.
Interment services were held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Thief Lake following services.
Funeral services are with Collins Funeral Home of Middle River
An online guest book is available at www.collinsfunerals.com