Alfie Brandenburg

Alfie Aasline Brandenburg, 92 Luverne, died Sunday, April 1, 2006, at Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital hospice room.

Services were Tuesday, April 4, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial was in St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.

Alfie Aanenson was born to Ole and Otelia (Olson) Aanenson on Sept. 25, 1913, on the family farm near Luverne. She graduated from country school on 1927. Following her education she cooked and cleaned at the Luverne Hospital for a few years.

She married Elmer "Dick" Brandenburg on April 27, 1937, in Luverne. The couple lived on a farm northwest of Luverne. In 1949 the couple bought a popcorn wagon which they operated until the middle '50's. Mr. Brandenburg died on Dec. 24, 1955.

She and her sister, Olga, opened and operated a coffee shop for several years. She became employed with a local veterinarian, Dr, Milo Kontz, where she worked for 22 years before retiring in 1981. She then spent a day each month volunteering at the V.A. Medical center in Sioux Falls, S.D., and the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. She also assisted in catering weddings and other events at the VFW Post in Luverne. She continued to live in their home until June 18, 2001, when she moved to Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.

Mrs. Brandenburg was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She was also a member of the Mary and Martha Circle. She enjoyed baking, cooking, entertaining company and drinking coffee. Whether it was serving a cup of coffee or having a conservation she loved making people feel comfortable.

Survivors include two grandchildren, Kevin (Karen) Brandenburg, Burnsville, and Susan (Randy) Schneekloth, Luverne; a daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Nath, Luverne; two brothers, John "Gordy" (Gloria) Aanenson, Kanaranzi, and Howard (Lavanelle) Aanenson, Pipestone; three sisters, Ramona (Bill) Skidmore, Blaine, Orla (Bill) Powell, Fairfax, Va., JoAnn (Gary) Barmore, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Ellen Aanenson, Luverne; many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Brandenburg was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dick, her son, Roger, two brothers, Orville and Norman, an infant sister, and four sisters, Thelma Bonnett, Norma Zimmerman, Alma Ellsworth and Olga Brandenburg.

A tree will be dedicated by Hospice by Sioux Valley Hospice in memory of Alfie Brandenburg.

Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Source information:
Rock County Star Herald, Luverne MN, 06 Apr 2006, pg. 10A.