Ernie Brandts

Ernie Brandts, age 82, of St. James, died at his home on Friday, July 26, 2013. Ernie lived with Parkinson's disease for the past 15 years. He died peacefully at home on the farm he loved with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at his bedside. He was a good man who will live on forever in his children and grandchildren by having taught them the values of honesty, loyalty, hard work, perseverance, strength, generosity and a sense of humor. Ernestus Gerardus Brandts was born August 30, 1930, in Didam, Holland where he grew up and attended school. Ernie moved to the United States in 1951 and lived in Vernon Center where he worked at the feed mill and learned the farming business. In 1957, Wilhelmina Mimy Horsting moved to Minnesota from Holland and the couple were married two weeks later on April 22, 1957. The couple made their home first in Vernon Center, then Madelia and finally moved to St. James in 1964, where they have lived now on their farm for nearly 50 years. Ernie is survived by his wife; Mimy of St. James, children; Larry Brandts Ed Snyder of Golden Valley and their children Erin and Rich Surprise and Sara and Brandon Jonckheere; Mike Jane Brandts of St. James and their children Ryan, Anna , Meghan, Briana, Zach and Allison; Dave Patty Brandts of St. James and their children Oniel, Sontiana, Andre and Mariah Brandts and Kelly, Tammy and Holly Johnson; Monique Paul Silver of Shakopee, and great-grandchildren Logan and Noah Johnson and Eliot and Carter Surprise, and sister; Mientje Brandts and many relatives in Holland. He is preceded in death by his parents and twelve brothers sisters from Holland. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, July 29, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Tuesday, July 30, 2013 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Tuesday, July 30, 2013 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081