Fumi Brand

FUMI BRAND

Fumi Brand, age 77, of Winona, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, with her daughters by her side.

She was born on January 27, 1940, in Osaka, Japan, to Koei and Kamado (Miyagi) Maeda. Fumi was united in marriage with Gerald L. “Jerry” Brand on October 10, 1967, in Naha Okinawa, Japan, where Jerry was stationed with the United States Air Force.  Jerry and Fumi welcomed their daughters, Terri and Becky, who were both born in Japan, and the family moved to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, OK. They later moved to Minot AFB in North Dakota, and while in Minot, Fumi obtained her United States citizenship.  Jerry and Fumi eventually settled in Winona with their family.

Fumi was a devoted homemaker and stay at home mom.  After her daughters were old enough to attend school, she then went to work for the Winona Knitting Mills, retiring after 25 years of service.

She was a member of St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 Auxiliary in Winona.

Fumi will be remembered for her warm and loving personality.  She was always willing to help anyone she could, and especially enjoyed helping others by babysitting.  Fumi cherished the time that she spent with her grandchildren, and looked forward to attending their musical, academic, and sporting programs.  She loved cooking for her family, and always had treats and candy waiting for her grandchildren.  Fumi will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her, including the many who adopted her as their grandma.

Fumi is lovingly survived by her daughters: Terri (Darrin Johnson) Brand, and Becky (Damian) Glodowski; grandchildren: Caleb, Ethan, Ellie, and Sarah Glodowski; brother: Mitsuo (Take) Maeda and sister: Mitsuko Maeda; brother-in-law: Haruo Kinjo, sister-in-law Eiko Maeda in Japan; brother-in-law Vern (Shirley) Brand; sisters-in-law: Darlene (Larry) Brown, Ruth Brand, and Ida Brand; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, on January 9, 2005; parents, two sisters,  two brothers and a sister-in-law in Japan; sister-in-law: Lill Lafky; brothers-in-law: Jim Brand and Bill Lafky; and a nephew, Steve Lafky.

Visitation will be held from 11 AM until the funeral service at 1 PM on Monday, October 23, 2017, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home.  The Reverend Richard A. Moore will officiate.

Fumi will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that memorials be directed to Athletics at St. Martin’s Lutheran School, or to the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 Women’s Auxiliary of Winona.

Fumi’s family would like to express their deepest appreciation to those who cared for her physical and medical needs, especially Dr. Richard and Heidi Ferris,  the nursing and medical staff and chaplains of Winona Health, who provided excellent and loving care; to Pastor Mark Dumke, Pastor Richard Moore, and the staff, students, and families of St. Martin’s Lutheran School and Cotter High School for all of their prayers and support; and also to all those who welcomed, accepted, and loved her in the Winona community.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Fumi’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.