Donna Brandt

Donna Brandt went to be with Jesus after a courageous battle with cancer on September 10, 2024. She was 70. Donna was born on March 4, 1954, in South City St. Louis. She attended Southwest High School. In 1980, she moved to Berger, Mo., where she met her husband, Calvin Brandt. He farmed the land around her home, and it was Donna who, first, invited him to go horseback riding. Then, on Easter in 1982, Calvin asked Donna to marry him. They were married at Ebenezer Stone Church in Gerald, Mo., on October 23, 1982, and together, they raised three daughters on the farm in Berger and New Haven, Mo.

Donna was a talented painter. In the 80s and 90s, she painted ceramics and sold them in Hermann, Mo. Her Native American collection was her most notable. Along with painting, she loved teaching Sunday school at Ebenezer Stone Church and being a part of her children’s and grandchildren’s school, 4-H and sporting events. She also loved the fall, flowers, taking photos, collecting books (especially history) and studying the Bible. But above all, she treasured her family, her faith and her quiet farm life. And she was proud to build a farm with her husband and family and to be called a farmwife.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents: Lloyd Lauck, Sr., and Pearl (Gehm) Lauck. She is survived by her husband, Calvin Brandt of New Haven, Mo.; her brother, Lloyd Lauck, Jr., and wife, Donna Lauck, of Wright City, Mo.; sister, Linda Boevingloh, of St. Louis, Mo.; sister, Brenda Sory and husband, Donald Sory, of New Haven, Mo.; and sister, Sharon Lauck and Michael Fryer of Lenox, Mo.; daughter, Laura Brandt-Miller and husband, Neville Miller, of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Katherine Witte and husband, Jonathan Witte, of Owensville, Mo.; and daughter, April Brandt-Shoemaker and husband, Jesse Shoemaker, of New Haven, Mo.; grandchildren, Jackson, Aurora and Levi Witte and Augustus and Ila Shoemaker; and nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. at the Preservation Society’s Old School Building, 810 Maupin Avenue, New Haven, Mo., on October 20, 2024. All family and friends are welcome.

Donna was a faithful partner with both Kenneth Copeland Ministries and Discovering the Jewish Jesus. Both focus on spreading the message of Jesus in the United States and abroad. So, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to https://www.kcm.org/ or https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/.

“His lord said unto him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.'" -Matthew 25:23

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body". - Philippians 3:20-21

“There’s someone tapping on my shoulder. … I know who it is. It’s the Lord.” -Donna Brandt

We little knew the day
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you
but you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you
the day God called you home.
We’re left with beautiful memories.
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one
the chain will link again.
-Ron Tranmer 

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die!).
-Mary Elizabeth Frye 

Card of sympathy can be sent to: Mr. Calvin Brandt 5095 Hoeman Road New Haven, MO 63068.