GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE Tuesday, November 18, 2003

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Willagene Brandt

MISSOULA -- Harlem native and former Chester resident Willagene (Berg) Brandt, 63, of Missoula, died of natural causes Sunday at St. Patrick Hospital.

Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. today at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula. Her funeral is 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with burial in Missoula Cemetery. There will be a reception at the funeral home's community room following the burial.

Willagene is survived by her husband Loren of Missoula; children, Lori Brandt of Lewistown, Brenda Lewis and husband Dan of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Tania Hutchin and husband Robin of Vancouver, Wash., and Lyn Brandt of Post Falls, Idaho; brothers, Jim Berg and wife Beverly of Longview, Wash., and George Berg and wife Cynthia of Grosse Point Farms, Mich.; a sister, Jessalyn Dilling and husband Richard of North Bend, Wash.; 14 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Nancy Gifford.

She was born June 25, 1940, in Harlem, Mont., to Jessel and Georgia (Granger) Berg.

Willagene was raised and educated in Chester, graduating from high school in 1958. After high school, she attended Kinman Business School in Spokane for a year before returning in 1959 and working at the bank in Chester.

On Aug. 3, 1960, Willagene married her high school sweetheart, Loren Brandt, in Great Falls. They made their family home in Shelby. After several moves, Willagene and Loren settled in Superior in 1978. She worked for the U.S. Forest Service for several years before she and Loren moved to Missoula in 1986. Willagene worked for Riverside Contracting Inc. for several years before she retired in 2002.

Willagene liked fishing, music and gardening but her greatest enjoyment was her grandchildren. She was a very giving person, always putting others before herself. Willagene was always trying to find someone to help out.

Pallbearers will be Dan Lewis, Robin Hutchin, Richard Dilling and Dan Neff.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Willagene's name to the charity of the donor's choice.

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THE MISSOULIAN Wednesday, November 19, 2003

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Willagene Brandt

MISSOULA - Willagene Brandt, 63, of Missoula, passed away Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at St. Patrick Hospital of natural causes.
She was born June 25, 1940, in Harlem to Jessel and Georgia (Granger) Berg.
Willagene was raised and educated in Chester, graduating from high school in 1958. After high school, she attended Kinman Business School in Spokane for a year before returning in 1959 and working at the bank in Chester.
On Aug. 3, 1960, Willagene married her high school sweetheart, Loren Brandt, in Great Falls. They made their family home in Shelby. After several moves, Willagene and Loren settled in Superior in 1978.
She worked for the U.S. Forest Service for several years before she and Loren moved to Missoula in 1986. Willagene worked for Riverside Contracting Inc. for several years before she retired in 2002.
Willagene liked fishing, music and gardening but her greatest enjoyment was her grandchildren. She was a very giving person, always putting others before herself. Willagene was always trying to find someone to help out.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Nancy Gifford.
Willagene is survived by her husband Loren of Missoula; four children, Lori Brandt of Lewistown, Brenda Lewis and husband Dan of Edmonton, Alberta, Tania Hutchin and husband Robin of Vancouver, Wash., and Lyn Brandt of Post Falls, Idaho; two brothers, Jim Berg and wife Beverly of Longview, Wash., and George Berg and wife Cynthia of Grosse Point Farms, Mich.; one sister, Jessalyn Dilling and husband Richard of North Bend, Wash.; 14 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Garden City Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with burial to follow at Missoula Cemetery. There will be a reception following the committal services in the funeral home's community room.
Pallbearers will be Dan Lewis, Robin Hutchin, Richard Dilling and Dan Neff.
The family suggests that memorials be made in Willagene's name to a charity of the donor's choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.

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