Alvin "Butch" Brandt

Alvin James “Butch” Brandt, 79, of Wyndmere, ND, passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Visitation will start at 5:00 PM with his prayer service at 7:00 PM on Sunday, October 23 and Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, October 24 at 11:00 AM, with visitation 1 hour prior; both at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Wyndmere.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home Wahpeton, ND.

Butch was born on December 1, 1942, to Fred and Viola (Boecker) Brandt in Breckenridge, MN.  He graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1960, and graduated from Moeller Barber College in Fargo, ND as the youngest licensed barber in North Dakota.  Butch married Claudia Henkenius on May 2, 1964, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Mooreton, ND. They lived in Wyndmere where they were members of St. John the Baptist Church.

Butch barbered in Wyndmere until 1972 and then worked for Bobcat Company in Gwinner, ND until retiring in 2005. He was a strong advocate for labor rights and served over twenty years as an officer in the Local 560 Union. Butch was appointed by the governor to the North Dakota Workforce Development Council and served for 12 years.  He loved being part of the annual sugar beet harvest and drove truck for 45 years.  Butch was known for his quick wit, finding humor in almost every situation.  Butch developed strong connections with people and was a loyal friend to many.  He enjoyed motorcycling, and was an avid NDSU football, Twins, and Vikings fan. Above all, Butch loved spending time with his family; his wife, kids, and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife; four children, Kenneth (Renee) of Eagan, MN, Colleen (Scott) Emery of Woodbury, MN, Michael of Brookings, SD, and Nathan (Stacy) of Wyndmere; 12 grandchildren (Caitlin, Claire, Isaac, Madeline, Anna, Lilly, Riley, Eli, Samuel, Tyler, Eva, and Louisa); a brother, Allen (Connie) Brandt of Wahpeton, ND; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret “Peggy” Heitkamp.

Memorials may be sent to Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund or Hospice.