Marilyn Marie Brand

Marilyn Brand, 78 passed away peacefully May 31st 2015, surrounded by her family and beloved dog Micky Mo. Marilyn Marie Johnson was born in Houston Township to Harvey and Bernice (Muns) Johnson on May 11th 1937, and was the 2nd of 6 children. She married Vernon Brand on December 11th 1954, at the Parsonage in Rushford. In 1959 they moved to Kenosha, WI where Vern played minor league baseball. There she devoted her time to raising their 8 children. They moved back to the Rushford area in 1967. At that time Marilyn began working part-time at the Rushford School. In 1969, once her children were of school age she took a full time position as the Library Aide where she dedicated the next 30 years not only to her own children but to every child who passed through those library doors. With the calm only a mother of 8 could have, she was able to quiet a room with just a look in her eye and a finger to her lips. She was respected and admired by numerous co-workers and students. Marilyn's greatest joy was being able to take her children to watch Vern play ball. She loved visits from her children and grandchildren, traveling, dancing and knitting slippers for anybody that would wear them. Time spent with family and fishing up at the family cabin filled her heart. Towards the end, she found comfort sitting on her porch looking at old family photos. She is survived by her children Richard (Rhonda) Brand of Rushford, DeeAnn (Dean) Westby, Rocklyn (Holly) Brand Rolyn Brand of Winona, Ross Brand of Rushford, Diane (Tim) Johnson of Rushford, Denise Rislove (Keith Raaen) of Fountain and Robert Brand of Rushford; 21 grandchildren: Ryan, Rachel and Raeanna; Rana, Leah and Steven; Aaron, Adam, Andrew and Aric; Nathan, Nikki, Alisha, Joey and Crystal; Tyler and Cody; Casey and Chelsey; Levi and Reo; 34 great grandchildren and 1 on the way. Her siblings Harold Johnson of Winona and Rose Morken of Peterson. Many brother and sister in laws; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Vernon in 1994; grandson Dylan; her parents, a brother Jerry, infant sister Lorri Ann and just recently her sister Yvonne.Funeral Services will be 11AM Friday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Rushford with the Reverend Hal Hintzman officiating. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery at Hart. Friends may call from 5-8 PM Thursday at Hoff Funeral Service in Rushford. They may also call one hour before services on Friday at the church. Pleas share a memory of Marilyn at her on-line guestbook and view her tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Marilyn wants us all to remember "Whatever will be, will be!"
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/601500