Leland “Lee” Brandt, 79, of 425 Allen St., died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home of cancer.

Lee was born May 31, 1922, in LaPorte City, the son of Ernest and Lelia (Minard) Brandt. He married Constance “Connie” J. Olsen Aug. 11, 1945, in Cedar Falls. She died November 12, 1997. He married Shirley Geist Nov. 27, 1999, at Grace Lutheran Church, Waterloo.

Lee served with the Army in WW II with Company K, 112th Infantry, 28th Division. He was captured during the Battle of the Roer River Dam and held as a POW in Germany for six months. He received the Purple Heart for wounds received.

He worked at Rath Packing Co. for 42 years retiring in 1984. He was a member and served as an Elder at Grace Lutheran Church. He was an active volunteer with the Waterloo Public Library and a life member of Waterloo AMVETS Post 19.

Lee was devoted to his family and enjoyed fishing, bowling, camping, music, photography and keeping busy.

Lee is survived by his wife Shirley; three daughters, Carolyn and her husband James E. Snyder of Shanghai, China, Janet and her husband Phill Bemer of Cedar Rapids, Linda and her husband David Can of Waterloo; step-daughter Diana and her husband Bill Erickson of Fishers, Indiana; step-son Dan and his wife Debbie Belker of York, PA; 6 grandchildren and 9 step-grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Connie.

Lee was a faithful witness to his Lord, witnessing to his family and to everyone he knew.