Lois Jean Brandis, 92, of Saxon, Wisconsin, passed away on April 22, 2026, at St Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. She was born June 19, 1933, in Gurney, Wisconsin, and was the first daughter of George and Edith Youngs (Cook).

Lois preferred to be called Jean. She attended Gurney Grade School and Saxon High School, graduating in 1951. After graduation, Jean was employed at the Rocket Cafe in Ashland. It was here that she met her husband, Edward Thomas Brandis, of lno, Wisconsin. They were married for 52 years before his passing in 2004.

Jean lived her entire life in the Saxon/Gurney area. Raising five children and working outside of the family home kept her busy for many years. She worked at Munsingwear and Arts Unlimited for many years, retiring. She also kept very busy with her flower gardens, making homemade potato dumplings with sauerkraut, and baking her famous apple pies- she had a list of people she made them for every year. Her front lawn trellis with solar lights and strings of flowers became a famous local landmark of sorts.

She loved when neighbors, nieces, nephews, and other relatives stopped by for a visit. If she was working on a puzzle (as she very often was) when you visited, you may have joined in and placed a few pieces yourself. She also loved receiving and giving hugs. Jean also enjoyed playing cards and had her own set of rules for playing her favorite card game, Rummy 500. In her later years, after retiring, many hours were spent playing a hand or two with anyone who stopped by.

Jean's children gave her the nickname of "The Comeback Kid" after she had a lengthy stay at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after she sustained a brain aneurysm 21 years ago.

Jean was very passionate about her grandchildren and spent quality time with them learning ABC's, reading to and with them, and playing endless games. Whatever they were into, she took a shared interest. Jean will be missed by many and will not be forgotten. "Her legend will live on."

She is survived by her sisters, Betty (Robert) Larson and Babe Soffiette; children, George, Patricia (Clint) Nelson, Edward (Cindy), David and Sandra (Kevin) Burns; grandchildren, Heather, Kristie Coard, Kayla (Jake) Rieb, Michelle (Justin) Orton, Jennifer Fish, Chad (Stacy), Melissa (John) Derocher, Matt (Char), LuJean Fisher, David Jr., Amber (Silvano) Gonzalez and Holly Burns (Michael White). Jean is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews.

We also want to share a special thank you to a good friend and neighbor of Jean's, Michael Ziligen, for all that he did for Jean over the years. He helped in so many ways, too numerous to count, but most of all, he was a wonderful friend to her, and they shared many stories. He was there for her in a way no one else was. Thank you, Michael! Also, a huge thank you to the area First Responders who were called to her door several times and always responded like good neighbors and caring friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed; her brother, Jim Youngs; her sisters, Charlotte Galarno and Kathy Burlo; her daughters-in-law, Jennifer Brandis and Tammy Brandis; and a grandson, Christopher Fish.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Saxon/Gurney Medical First Responders at: P.O. Box 8, Saxon, WI 54559.

There will be a graveside service on Saturday, May 9, at 11 a.m., or you may join us at the Saxon Community Center after the service for coffee, snacks, and fellowship.