Brandenburg Lucille “Lu” Johanna Otto

Age 98, of Delano, MN, passed away on November 5. Devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Lifelong member of Mt Olive Lutheran Church in Delano.
Preceded in death by husband Loren L Brandenburg after 44 years of marriage, parents Robert and Marcia (Willcutt) Otto and infant brother Harold.
Survived by children, Susan (Noel W) Schwegler, Marcia (Michael Sr) Frank and Michael (Bonnie) Brandenburg; grandchildren Michael Frank Jr, Dianne Miller, Kathleen Schwegler, Patrick Frank, Jonathan Brandenburg and Sarah Schumacher; 15 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Lu was born in 1924 and raised on the Willcutt family homestead in Independence, MN. She graduated from Delano Public Schools. Married Loren “Brandy” Brandenburg on February 12, 1942. She spent her early years of marriage building a household and raising their children. Later, Lu worked in a variety of jobs, most notably several years as secretary and proofreader for the Delano Eagle, volunteer office manager at Mt Olive School, and Wright County Property Tax Assessor. After retirement she did volunteer driving and reading to children at the school and the library until her eyesight failed.

Lu may have been traditional in her career, but she broke with tradition in many hobbies and even drove a very cool vintage white Ford Mustang for a season.
Lu was an avid grouse and deer hunter and enjoyed many weekends berry picking, snowmobiling and four-wheeling with her kids and grandkids at the Effie cabin in the woods. “Gram” taught her grandkids how to roast wieners in a campfire in the snow, how to shoot, and the best way to drive a four-wheeler into a mud puddle to ensure a proper and messy splash. She read and reread the grandkids’ favorite books. She and Brandy enjoyed camping and motorcycle riding in some of the National Parks. She had a sweet tooth for ice cream and jellybeans which she called “belly jeans” and many of her birthday and holiday gift bags were filled with them.

Lu earned several black powder shooting trophies. She, with Brandy, was a member of a black powder club they hosted at their home, where they made many wonderful memories and long-time friends.

Memorial service was on Saturday, November 19, 11 AM at Mt Olive Lutheran Church in Delano, MN. Visitation was from 10-11 before service. Inurnment was at Mt Olive West Cemetery.