James Brandt

JAMES “JIM” RUSSELL BRANDT, or as his friends knew him, “Flat Top”, age 85 of Le Center, passed away peacefully at Carriage House Senior Living on October 20, 2026.

Jim was born in Primghar, IA on September 8, 1941, to parents Walter and Gertrude (Coons) Brandt. He graduated from high school in Primghar in 1959 and then he and his family moved to the family farm in Le Center. He worked at Spors Co. for a short time after graduating and then eventually joined the U.S. Army Reserve. Following his time in the Army Reserve, Jim worked for Schneider Transport Inc. Trucking and eventually bought his father’s farm where he farmed until 2016.

In 1988, Jim married Barbara Blaschko Hiller at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center. Jim was a devoted and loving husband and proud father to Kristy, John, and Bob, and eventually became a proud grandfather to six and great-grandfather to eight.

When Jim wasn’t farming, he enjoyed hunting and shooting trap, watching Nascar, the Twins, and the Vikings. He took great interest in old farm machinery, spending time threshing at Pioneer Power, and helping out wherever and whenever he was needed. Jim hosted several plowing and threshing bees at the Brandt Farm which were always a good time for neighbors, family, and friends. Jim was also very involved member of the Lions Club for over fifty years, where he had been a past president. He was also a past Commander of the American Legion in Le Center.

Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife, Barbara Brandt of Le Center; his three children, Kristy Steckman of Le Sueur, John (Stacie) Hiller of Le Center, Bob (Stacey) Hiller of Le Center; his six grandchildren, Crystal (Travis) Tellijohn of Le Sueur, Felicia (Ger Xiong) Steckman of Janesville, Ali (Michael) Warden of Le Center, Jack (Mia) Hiller of Le Center, Kaylen Crandall, and Landen Crandall; eight great-grandchildren, Peyton, Tanner, Maci, Weston, Albertico, Theodore, Oliver, and Willa; his loving sister, Sue (John) Nasinec of Yuma, AZ; as well as MANY aunts; uncles; cousins; nieces; and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Gertrude Brandt.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026 at the Le Center Chapel of Schoenbauer Funeral Home, and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center, with Rev. Heath Queen officiating. Interment will follow at German Lake Cemetery. Then Jim’s family invites everyone to join in a celebration of Jim’s life at the American Legion in Le Center following the burial.