Arnold H. Brandt

Arnold H. Brandt, 69, of Sioux City died Sunday, April 25, 2004, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Morningside Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Kevin Lee officiating. Private interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel (formerly Nelson-Berger Morningside Chapel).

Arnold H. Brandt was born Aug. 8, 1934 in Bremer, Iowa, the son of Arthur J. and Minnie (Steege) Brandt. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1952. He was the first Waverly wrestler to win a state championship. He received his BA from Wartburg in 1958 and his MA from the University of South Dakota in 1966.

He married Carol J. Hesse on Sept. 12, 1954 in Denver, Iowa. Arnie had been a resident of Sioux City since 1963. He was a teacher as well as a wrestling and football coach. He was with Griswold Community Schools from 1958 to 1960, Wapsie Valley Community Schools from 1960 to 1963, Morningside College from 1963 to 1977 and Sioux City Community Schools from 1977 until his retirement in 1998.

He was awarded District NAIA Coach of the Year, North Central Conference Hall of Fame in 1978 and Wartburg Alumni Hall of Fame in 1966. He served as tournament director of the NAIA National Wrestling Championships held at Morningside College in 1973 and 1975. He was president of NAIA National Wrestling Coaches from 1975 to 1976 and was head coach of the NAIA-AAU Cultural Exchange freestyle wrestling team touring Japan and Korea in 1976. He initiated annual freestyle summer wrestling tournaments in Siouxland and was also active in organizing and coaching youth football programs for Sioux City middle school students.

Arnie enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, golfing and traveling. He started Senior Games Track & Field competition in 1990 and continued until 2002. He participated in World Veterans Athletic championships in both Durban, South Africa in 1997 and in Brisbane, Australia in 2001.

He was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church, active in Prayer Warriors.

Survivors include his wife, Carol; his sons and daughters, Brenda Washburn and her husband, Ron of Sioux City, Greg Brandt and his wife, Julie of Ankeny, Iowa, Barb Brandt and her partner, Jonathan of Nederland, Colo. and John Brandt and his wife, Gail of Sioux City; a brother, Earl Brandt and his wife, Shirley of Sumner, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Michael Washburn, Daniel Brandt, Jill Nelson, Jeff Nelson, David Brandt, Nathan Brandt and Annalisa Brandt; and a great-grandchild, Preston Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Eileen Benning.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Morningside College Wrestling Program, Morningside Lutheran Church and Hospice of Siouxland.