Mary Arlene (Marlene) Thomas Brandt, 87, Village of Loch Lloyd, MO, passed peacefully in her sleep June 17, 2016. Visitation will be 5-7p.m., Thursday, June 23, in Mount Moriah, Newman & Freeman Funeral Home. Interment – Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, at a later date. The family requests donations to the DAV or Missouri State University Foundation, 300 S Jefferson Ave., Suite 100, Springfield, MO 65806.
She was proud of all her children and grandchildren. She benefited from a college education and wanted others to have the opportunity.
Marlene was born in El Dorado Springs on July 11, 1928, to Harold and Cora (Dicks) Thomas. She graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1946 and attended SMSU. She married William (Bill) Brandt on May 19, 1951, and celebrated 48 years of marriage before his death.
Marlene devoted her life to her family and community. She was an active volunteer with the Center School District working on many bond and levy campaigns. She served as President of the Center Band Boosters supporting her and Bill’s love of music. She served as president of several Center Schools’ PTA’s, as well as President of the Center Council PTA. She was elected to the Missouri PTA State Board and held the office of treasurer. In 1981, she was awarded the Missouri PTA Lifetime Achievement Award. Marlene supported her sons and daughters as an active Boy Scout and Girl Scout volunteer. While she was proud of her activities and accomplishments, her greatest source of pride was her family.
Marlene was preceded in death by her husband, William Brandt, and brother, Donald Thomas. Marlene is survived by her sons, Joseph Brandt and wife, Vera, Imperial, and Carl Brandt and wife, Nancy, Overland Park, KS; daughters, Monica Bates and her husband, John Bates DVM, Barnhart, and Brenda Shields and her husband, Charlie Shields, Kansas City; grandchildren – Thomas Brandt, Washington, DC, Sarah Zimmerman and her husband, Brad, and great-grandson, Blake, Des Peres, Natalie Brandt, Kansas City, Brandt Shields, St. Joseph, Scott Bates and fiancée, Lauren Heyl, St. Kitts, Bryce Shields and wife, Allison, Kansas City and Carly Brandt, Kansas City.
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