Michael Brand

 

Michael William Brand, age 78, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2024, in Rochester, Minnesota with family by his side.

Michael was born on November 9, 1945 as the second oldest child of six to Thana Manette Blanc and Dr. William Diedrich Brand in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he spent many summers with his Grandpa Ben and Grandma Iva in Berlin, Wisconsin learning how to play checkers and chess, and fishing on the Fox River. These were some of his fondest memories.

At Marquette University High School Michael was on the wrestling team and was very involved in drama. He graduated in 1963 and went to the Jesuit seminary in Minnesota and Missouri. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1969, and later got his teaching credential from Alverno College in Milwaukee.

In the summer of 1968 he participated in an International Civil Service camp, building a mountain road in Switzerland where he fell in love with Susanna Juon. Michael and Susanna were married on April 4, 1970 in Seattle, Washington.

During the Vietnam war, as a conscientious objector Michael chose alternative service, whereupon he and Susanna were sent to Alaska to a remote Athabaskan village for two years. There he made his own dogsled, fished salmon, hunted moose, hauled drinking water from the Yukon River, and fully participated in the community’s village life.

Together Michael and Susanna had four children. They homesteaded on a small hobby farm in northern Wisconsin, kept bees, and made maple syrup. During those years Michael also worked as a substitute teacher, logger and carpenter.

In December of 1988, Michael had his last drink of alcohol. Then he went through a treatment program and committed to making Alcoholics Anonymous a cornerstone for the remainder of his life. Over the subsequent years, Michael participated in and led many AA meetings. He went to jails to lead meetings and mentored many new members in AA. Michael lived his last 35 years in sobriety.

In 1997, Michael and Denise Rheaume were married in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. They had met through a mutual friend in AA. Together they raised their daughter, Megan, in a house in Sugar Camp that sat nestled amongst trees just across the road from a beautiful lake.

Michael enjoyed ice fishing trips to Canada with his buddies and playing cards with them. He loved woodworking, gardening, watching movies, listening to music and playing with his cats.

Michael lived his last two years in Rochester, Minnesota near his daughter and son-in-law.

Michael wanted to be remembered for “being a good dad” — and his five children can attest to the fact that he was much more than just “a good dad”. Michael shared with his children his love of nature, theater, story-telling, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, swimming, biking, fishing, hunting, camping, and boating. He taught his children the importance of love, kindness, openness, independence, laughter, play, and generosity. He was a friend, a teacher, a coach, a comforter, an encourager, and an example of humility. Our Dad/Daddy/Pops will live forever in our hearts.

Michael is survived by his five sisters: Ann Rockhill, Margot Brand, Mary Brand, Jeanne Brand, Elizabeth Brand-Unpingco and his children: Rhonda (Imtiaz) Brand and their children: Anika, Hamza, Safia; Olinga (Mark) Krajewski and their children: Makayla, Kaitlin (Christian), Marcus (Kara), and Andrew (Skylar); Benjamin Brand and his children: Dalice, McKayla and Autumn; Gwendolyn Brand and her son David; and Megan Rheaume-Brand, along with many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren and extended family members.

There will be no formal services, but per Michael‘s wishes his family will be gathering privately. The family invites you to share memories of Michael and any condolences below: