Edna M. Brandt, 83

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Edna Mae Brandt, 83, of Pana, formerly of Morrisonville, died on Sunday, March 10, 2019, at 9:01 p.m. at Prairie Rose Health Care Center in Pana.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Morrisonville, 304 Carlin Street. A funeral ceremony will be conducted Wednesday, March 13, beginning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Rodney Blomquist officiating. Interment will take place at Morrisonville Cemetery.

Mrs. Brandt was born Dec. 18, 1935, in Greene County, to Matthew and Verna (Book) Smith. She married her childhood sweetheart, Arthur Lewis Brandt on Aug. 29, 1954, in Greene County, and he preceded her in death on April 20, 2018.

She graduated from Greenfield High School, and became a homemaker and mother to her six children. She said the best years of her life were raising her children and spending time with family and friends.

Mrs. Brandt enjoyed being outside, boating, camping, going to rummage sales and helping others. She would always have time for the neighbor children, and if they visited at meal time, she would set another plate. She always had a large garden, canning the fruits of her labor, and kept things running smoothly for her family.

Her first job outside of her home was working as a housekeeper in the Morrisonville Nursing Home when her youngest children were in the later years of grade school. She then cleaned houses in Morrisonville, worked as a bank teller at Morrisonville Bank and drove a truck with her husband for Buske Lines of Litchfield for 14 years. 

Upon her retirement in 2000, Mrs. Brandt worked part-time at Morrisonville Grade School as a janitor and served in the kitchen at Stewart's IGA for Vickie Furnace. Once fully retired, she spent her time with her husband and their dog, Britney.

She is survived by her children, Mary (husband Rich) Ladage, Lee (wife Kim) Brandt and Cindy (significant other Jim Paul) Brandt, all of Taylorville, Danny (wife Suni) Brandt of Litchfield, Mike Brandt of Alton and David (significant other Aimee) Brandt of Sullivan; 11 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Edward Smith of Oklahoma and Esther Arnold of Wrights; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Brandt was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Lemuel Hicks and Albert Smith.

Memorials may be directed to Prairie Rose Health Care Center, 900 South Chestnut Street, Pana, IL 62557 or a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.