Barbara Brands, of Beecher, died Saturday, December 23, 2023. Born on March 21, 1929, in Melrose Park, she was the daughter of Richard and Lydia (Kuhlman) Gosch. She was baptized on March 31, 1929, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Melrose Park and confirmed on April 18, 1943.
She married Willis N. Brands on May 22, 1948, at St. John Lutheran Church in Eagle Lake and remained an active member of that church during the next 70 years. The couple had three children – Cynthia of Plainfield, William of Sedona, Arizona, and John, who is deceased.
Barbara worked for Farmers State Bank from 1962 to March 1994. After retirement, she volunteered at the Beecher Community Library and for Vacation Bible School at St. John Lutheran Church, where she also served on the Altar Guild and sang in the choir. She always will be remembered as a loving mother for her three children, loving grandmother of seven, and loving great-grandmother of 12.
A funeral service was held on December 29 at Peace Lutheran Church – Eagle Lake Campus, with burial at St. John Cemetery – Eagle Lake.
Memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Hack-Jensen Funeral Home in Beecher.