Duane "Gus" Brandt

Duane "Gus" M. Brandt, 96, of Mason City, passed away Monday, September 14, 2026, at the IOOF Home where he had resided the past 3 years. Per Gus's request, his body was donated to the University of Iowa for medical research. Private family services will be held. Gus will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa.

Duane Marvin Brandt, known affectionately as Gus by his family and friends, was born on December 28, 1929, in Waverly, Iowa, to parents Emil H. Brandt and Selma (Graening) Brandt. He graduated from Waverly High School, class of 1948. Gus was an all-state athlete, where he became a dominant force in football, basketball, and baseball. He was widely admired for his leadership and character as much as his physical skills.

Gus attended the University of Iowa, where he excelled and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball all four years, and he was awarded the Athletic Board Scholarship for Excellence in Athletics and Scholarship. In addition, he earned the prestigious University of Iowa's Nile C. Kinnick Scholarship, an elite award celebrating the legacy of Iowa's Heisman Trophy winner. Gus obtained his BA, and later, his MA, from the University of Iowa.

It was at Iowa, where he met his bride, Jo Anne Peters. The couple were wed on June 8, 1952 in Waverly. To this union, the couple welcomed two children, Deborah and Barry. Gus and Jo were blessed for 58 wonderful years together until her passing in February 2011.

After college, Gus enlisted in the United States Air Force in February of 1953 and served one year in Electronics School at the Keesler A.F. Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, and one year in Korea. He was honorably discharged as second lieutenant in 1955.

Gus returned home from Korea and started his career at Osage High School as a math teacher, along with holding the head coach of football and baseball positions. Two years later he accepted similar roles at Clear Lake High School where he was employed for eight years. Gus taught math and was head football and baseball coach. Gus later became the Clear Lake Junior High School principal and worked in that position for two years.

For the next 26 years of his career, Gus was employed at North Iowa Community College (NIACC), where he held a variety of teaching, administrative, and sports leadership positions—most notably, as the athletic director, registrar, financial aid director, and head baseball coach. Gus retired in 1993.

After retirement, Gus and Jo enjoyed traveling all over the world. They attended over 50 Elder Hostels in the U.S. and Canada and trips to Europe and Alaska. In his free time for many years prior to his move to NIACC, Gus officiated many high school football, basketball, and baseball games. Throughout his adult life Gus was also a dedicated and accomplished Bridge player and was awarded the American Contract Bridge League Life Master Certificate.

Always an avid fan of the University of Iowa Hawkeye football, basketball, and baseball sports, Gus was also an ardent fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins—always staying closely connected to his love of football, basketball, and baseball.

Gus was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

He is survived by daughter, Deborah Brandt (husband Ricki Vick) of Vienna, Virginia; son, Barry (wife Tammy Cunningham) Brandt of Cedar Rapids; grandson, Aaron (wife Angela Konig) Brandt of Thornton, Colorado and their two children Avan and Adylee.

Gus was preceded in death by his wife Jo, his parents, and his brother Donald W. Brandt.

The Brandt family would like to express their deep gratitude and thanks to the staff at the IOOF Home of Mason City, the staff of St. Croix Hospice Mason City, and the Trinity Lutheran Care Ministry for their devoted care and support for Gus.

The family would also like to thank the members of the Clear Lake High School Class of 1964 who during this past year established the Gus Brandt Endowed Scholarship through the NIACC Foundation. This scholarship honors Gus's remarkable journey and his profound influence on generations of students. The Gus Brandt Endowed Scholarship will be awarded for full-time NIACC students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.