Russell Lee “Russ” Brandes, the son of Wayne and Maxine (Rank) Brandes, was born June 2, 1952, in Council Bluffs, IA. He died January 6, 2025, at his home on the family farm, at the age of 72 years, 7 months, and 4 days.
Russ was the middle child and only son of Wayne and Maxine (Rank) Brandes. He lived in a house and was raised in a home that was referred to as the “west place”. His Grandfather died when Russ was eight years old at which time Wayne and his family moved to the “home place” where Wayne was born and grew up. After attending Iowa State University in the early 1970’s, Russ moved back to the “west place” and began farming with his father, Wayne. Russ died at his home on January 6, 2025, at the age of 72 years, 7 months and 4 days.
On June 20, 1981, Russ and Phyllis Reed were united in marriage at Fife’s Grove Park outside of Mt. Ayr, Iowa. They then lived their entire married life on the “west place”.
Russ farmed in partnership with his dad, Wayne, until Wayne “retired” in 1992. Wayne continued to help on the farm until his death in 2005.
In 1982 Russ was elected to a position on the board of the East Pottawattamie Soil and Water Conservation District board. This seemingly small act led to a monumental change in his life. Like cattle in a pasture, this life went in several directions. Starting as a commissioner, Russ branched into a role with the Golden Hills Resource and Development Board. This led to becoming a founding member and chairman of both the Hungry Canyons Alliance and the Loess Hills Development and Conservation Authority, dealing with stream infrastructure and Loess Hills preservation respectfully.
In 1996, Governor Brandstad appointed Russ to the State Soil Conservation Committee where he served six years, two as chairman. This board appointed Russ to serve on the Natural Resources Conservation Service State Technical Committee and also on the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture board and also the Iowa Grazing Lands Coalition board.
Russ was an active member of the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, holding several leadership positions in the organization. He served on the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development board, was a James Township Trustee and was a life-long member of the Silver Creek United Methodist Church which his Great-Grandfather, Henry Brandes helped to found.
In 2009, Russ was honored to be selected as a Wallace Farmer Master Farmer. In 2024, the Brandes family was honored with a Heritage farm award.
Recently, Russ had begun taking a song lyrics class and violin lessons, in hopes that he would be able to play silent night at the Christmas Eve program. Russ had enjoyed planting over 50 flowering pear trees, crabapple trees, and lilac bushes on the west place, with his sister Joyce. He had recently built a greenhouse and looked forward to planting native grasses and growing vegetables. Along with the love of farming, soil conservation practices, and history, Russ also loved reading and music. He had discovered Amazon Prime for ordering books, and he had many. He also had season tickets to the Omaha Symphony, Iowa Western Community Playhouse, and the Omaha Playhouse. A Renaissance man in jeans and Carhartt shirts.
Russ is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Phyllis of almost 43 years; and his sister Judy Scheffler.
Russ is survived by his sister Joyce and her husband Dennis Hickerson of Boise, Idaho; his brothers-in-law: Jim Scheffler of Hancock, Iowa, Alan Reed and his wife Linda of Spickard, Missouri; sisters-in-law: Alyce Mattis of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, Lisa Jackson of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, Debbie and her husband Bill Dodge of Des Moines, Iowa; and seven nephews and three nieces; and eight great-nephews and seven great-nieces ; and hopefully a great many friends and probably a few enemies.
The funeral service will be held at Silver Creek United Methodist Church with burial at Silver Valley Cemetery. Russ is the fourth generation Brandes to have his funeral in this church and the fourth generation Brandes to be buried in Silver Valley Cemetery.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 10:30 AM, at the Silver Creek United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Silver Valley Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Monday, January 13, 2025, from 5-7 PM, at the Oakland Community Building in Oakland. A memorial fund is being established in Russ’s name. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family with arrangements.
