"Myrtle and Brandvold family! Deepest Sympathy on the death of Gene! He was a great classmate at Winthrop High School ?-Class of 1954 ** A great friend to everyone and enjoyed him at the bowling alley, too! Sending love to you all from Marge Kloeckl (Bauer) ***God bless Gene and God bless all of you during this sad time! "
In loving memory of
Gene G. Brandvold
October 23, 1936 - September 9, 2021
Gene G. Brandvold, 84, of Rushford, MN and formerly of Bloomington, MN died on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at his home surrounded by family.
Gene Gavin Brandvold was born on October 23, 1936, in Albert Lea, MN to Gerhard and Lettie (Johnston) Brandvold. Lived in New Richland, MN, Winthrop, MN, Janesville, MN, summers on the family farm in rural New Richland and graduated from Winthrop High School, 1954. Gene attended Mankato State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1958, served in the U.S. Army Reserves and enlisted in the early 1960's. On February 9, 1963, Gene was united in marriage with Myrtle Lindgren in St. Paul, MN. Gene and Myrt lived in the Washington D.C. area for 7 years. He worked as an internal bank examiner for Farm Credit Services for many years. Following his early retirement, he worked as a consultant both domestically and in Eastern Europe in the early 1990's. Gene enjoyed fishing, especially the many family fishing vacations in northern MN and over 60 trips to Canada. When he was growing up, his parents owned and operated bowling lanes, and he assisted in all phases of the bowling operation. He ran the business; organized teams and leagues; cleaning and maintaining the lanes and machines; organizing tournaments; setting pins. He was a certified Youth American Bowling Alliance coach for 29 years at AMF Southtown Lanes, Bloomington, MN. He had been involved in many segments of the Minneapolis District Bowling Association for 18 years. Additionally he had bowled in district, state, and national tournaments and was inducted into the Twin Cities Bowling Hall of Fame. Loving his Norwegian heritage, Gene was also very active in the Sons of Norway, serving at the local, district, national and international levels. He was a long time member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Bloomington and recently of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Houston, MN. He was a man with a great sense of humor, lovingly teasing those around him, and Gene enjoyed many things that life had to offer, but nothing more than spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Gene is survived by his wife, Myrtle; two children: Mike (Catrina Wolfe) Brandvold and their daughter, Tuuli of Sausalito, CA, and Linda (Tom) McPeak of Houston, MN and their children, Eric McPeak (Julia Klimas) of Shakopee, MN , Megan McPeak (Marcus Chaloupek) of Minneapolis, MN, and Rebecca McPeak (Sam Abraham) of Windom, MN; and two brothers: Brent (Ginger) Brandvold and Bruce (Joyce) Brandvold. Several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be a memorial service for Gene at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, MN with Reverend Jan Mehlhoff officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Refreshments following the service in the fellowship hall. Burial will be in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. Please leave a memory of Gene and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
The family prefers memorials directed to Sons of Norway Foundation and Valley View Nursing Home Foundation of Houston, MN.
Tributes
"Dear Myrtle, Please accept my late condolence in the loss of your Gene. I want you to know Burgee always spoke well of Gene and appreciated his part in the work of the St. Paul Farm Credit team. Those two men grew up, not too many miles apart in - Gene in Houston County and Burgee in Fillmore County. Again, accept my sincere sympathy in your lose. Sincerely, Joyce Amdahl"
"Gene and I worked together for many years at the Farm Credit Bank and he was the greatest person to be with and had a great sense of humor. Occasionally our trails would cross as we traveled and we would have dinner together. I still think of our debate over whether we should eat in Fargo or West Fargo as I believe West Fargo had better bowling. God Bless the Brandvold Family."
"We offer our prayers and sympathy to the Brandvold family. We will always remember fondly our friendship with Gene and Myrt. Especially the fishing trips to Canada that he organized over the years. Which of course included the aquavit toasts. Jim and Diane Hubbart St. Loius, MO."
"I knew through Sons of Norway, we worked together starting several lodges in Texas. It\'s on one of those trips that Gene and Ken Mjoen talked me into going fishing in Canada with them. I said yes and went at least 12 time to Canada fishing, Talk about a marathon fisherman, Gene loved fishing and always caught the most fish. It was a fun time. My condolences to Myrtle and family. Kathy and Len Carlson"
"I knew Gene for at least 30 years working together for the Bowling Association. Gene was easy to work with and a very good friend. My sincere condolences to his family. Fondly, Joe Gaspar."
"I knew Gene when we both worked for the bank in St. Paul. My sympathy and prayers for your family as you grieve his loss."
"We are thinking of you all in this difficult times. Ole and Lully Hillestad"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sorry for the loss of your loved one."
"My deepest sympathy to the family of Gene. I had the honor to serve with Gene on the District Presidents Council And International Board of Sons of Norway. Gene and Myrtle great Sons of Norway Friends. Gene served as District 1 Sons of Norway President District 1 International Director International Treasurer Sons of Norway Blessed Be his memory Elaine Nelson International Treasurer Sons of Norway "
"Gene lived across the hall from my Mom and Dad at Valley View. I remember the tribe of lutherans taking my parents and Gene to in-person services at Cross of Christ. When we watched the services on-line, my sister and I would always look for Gene in the front row and know all was well when he was there."