"Amazing Grace" - harmonica
"Silent Night, Holy Night" - harmonica by muhadoc
"O Holy Night" Mark Esoterike harmonica
"Silver Bells" Mitch Miller
"Clarinet Polka"
"Liechtensteiner Polka"
"Pennsylvania Polka"

Chris Brandt
May 20, 1935 - November 22, 2022

CHRIS J. BRANDT Christian John, the youngest of eight children to Joseph Sr. and Katharina (Mueller) Brandt, was born on May 20, 1935, on the family farm west of Aspinwall in Crawford County, Iowa. He attended the Aspinwall School, graduating from the eighth grade. After graduation, he worked at home and for various neighbors, working with cattle, hogs, and farm work.

On May 20, 1967, Chris was united in marriage with Mary Ann Hagedorn at Sacred Heart Church in Manning. The couple made their home in Aspinwall and Chris farmed with his brother Joseph.

Throughout the years, Chris was president of the Aspinwall Community Club, served on the Aspinwall Co-op Board for nine years, and enjoyed working events at the 5 Mile House.

Chris was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Manning. He enjoyed a lifetime of farming and in his spare time, making things in his shop and restoring his Johnny Cash tractor. Chris is best described as a loveable person, good guy, best uncle, and loving husband.

In the fall of 2020, Chris was diagnosed with cancer and remained active up to his last days. On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Chris passed away at his home in Aspinwall, Iowa, at the age of 87 years, 6 months, and 2 days.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Gertrude and husband Erwin Gehling; Margaret and husband Lawrence Tranter; Engelbert Brandt and wife Mary Ann; Sophia and husband Marcus Esser; Rosalie Brandt; and Joseph Brandt, Jr.; and brothers-in-law: Walter Bissen; Robert "Bob" Hagedorn and wife Carol; Roger Hagedorn and wife Deanna; Mary Ann's parents Lewis and Marie (Ehrichs) Hagedorn.

Chris is survived by his wife Mary Ann Brandt of Aspinwall; sister Catherine Bissen of Council Bluffs; a brother-in-law Raymond Hagedorn and wife Norma of Manning; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at a later date.
Ohde Funeral Home in Manning is in charge of arrangements.

Chris was a very talented person - he played the "mouth organ" more commonly known as the harmonica.
Chris married into my mother's side of the family (Ehrichs). Mother taught Chris in the Aspinwall Independent School, and she grew up around the Brandt family - they were good friends, so I got to know most of the Brandt family over the years.
On several occasions I asked Chris to help me with several fundraisers by playing his harmonica - unfortunately I never recorded his music while playing, which I now regret.
Dave Kusel

Chris Brandt during the Winter Fun Day event February 13, 2005, on the stage of the Rec Center gym
A fundraiser for the Manning Quasquicentennial History book project.
While many people knew Chris quite well, I've always been very fortunate because of the things I do in/around Manning to be able to interact with so many of the citizens and the multi-talented aspects most of them have.

The sad thing is - this generation, who so many learned to play instruments when they were kids, is gone for the most part...there were families who played instruments together to entertain in the community - barn dances and in the homes.
The days before TV and before people could afford a radio, they had dances and all kinds of events where live music was the main part of entertainment.
Lots of kids today learn to play an instrument in a school band but pretty much none of them form their own little groups to go out and play in the community...hopefully this form of entertainment will return someday.