Gaylord Rhey Brandenburg, age 90, of Alpena, South Dakota passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Weskota Manor Nursing Home, Wessington Springs, South Dakota.
Gaylord was the only child of George and Myrtle Brandenburg. He was born on May 23, 1933 in Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated from Lane High School in 1951. Gaylord served in the U.S. Army from 1953 – 1955 attaining the rank of Corporal. He was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany with B Battery, 816th Field Artillery Battalion.
He was married to Eileen “Kay” Schimke on June 23, 1957 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Lane, SD. Gaylord and Kay farmed and raised their family on the Brandenburg Homestead north of Lane. He was a life member of the American Legion and member of the National Farmers Organization (NFO). Gaylord played with the Alpena Amateur Baseball team and later managed the team. He enjoyed playing in the old timers baseball game on the 4th of July in Wessington Springs. He loved playing cards with a wide variety of friends and family, was an avid reader of anything, and traveled when he could get away from the farm.
Gaylord is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kay; his children Gayleen Lowe of Huron, SD; Gayann Brandenburg (Malix Turner) of Denver, CO; Carey Hay of St. Croix Falls, WI; Lesley Berg (Wade) of Huron, SD; and Christopher Brandenburg of Ellsworth, WI. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Verneil Knigge, Laurel Lee (Tom) Hinrichs, and Minette (Dave) Tyler.
His beloved grandchildren are Michael “Lorraine” Lowe, Troy Berg, Suzette Turner, Melissa Berg, and Fire Brandenburg and great-grandchildren Xandra Miller and Roun Berg.
He was predeceased by his parents, George and Myrtle Brandenburg, his in-laws, Edwin and Hazel Schimke, brothers-in-law, Terry and Roger Schimke and sister-in-law, Audrey Schimke, and his lifelong friend Wayne “Punch” Peters.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2:30 p.m. at Basham Funeral Home in Wessington Springs, SD followed by burial at Fairview Cemetery north of Lane. Meal to follow at the Springs Inn at 5 p.m.
