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Anita Brand, 93, peacefully entered the Church Triumphant Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at Tabitha Journey Hospice, Lincoln, NE.
Anita was born Aug.7, 1931 to her parents, the Rev. Martin and Pauline 'Pfenniger' Ritzen in Victoria, TX. She was baptized by her father at Trinity Lutheran Church. Her siblings were Ralph, Ruth Ellen, Leander and Norman.
The family moved to Lincoln, NE in 1930s where Martin began his ministry at Tabitha Home. When Anita was10 they moved to Fontanelle, NE where Martin served as pastor until his death in 1953. She was confirmed at Salem, Fontanelle in 1945.
Anita graduated in 1949 from Fremont Sr. High after boarding in Fremont her last two years of schooling. She excelled in academics, choir, Triple Trio, and piano and was salutatorian of her class. She was a Church Musician who sang or played for hundreds of worship services. Her adult years she learned the pipe organ and rehearsed diligently.
Anita was united in marriage to Kai Myron Brand Aug. 2, 1949 at Salem Lutheran, Fontanelle. They farmed northwest of Fremont and raised Doug, Nancy and Jan. During these years Anita was choir director, confirmation instructor and organist at Salem. She was employed at JCPenney, Soil Conservation Service and the Fremont Public School Administration office. Those busy years were filled with 4-H fairs, neighbors, Sugar and Spice Extension Club, family birthday parties, graduations, and church events. The family surprised Myron and Anita on their 25th anniversary party, hosted by Bob and Bev Knoell. The family hosted a big Lawrence Welk Special 50th Anniversary celebration in 1999 at Salem Lutheran, Fontanelle where children and grandchildren performed Champagne Music favorites.
They retired to an acreage in Fontanelle in 2000. Anita was caregiver to Myron as he struggled through Parkinson's. The family shared many visits at Hooper Care Center with music and ice cream. She moved to Tabitha Grace Pointe in Lincoln, NE in January 2021 and recently to Tabitha Journey House Hospice Care.
Survivors: Brother Norman (Lavonne) Ritzen; children Doug (Gail) Brand, Nancy (Joel) Schroeder, Jan Madsen; Eight grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, Brand Family in-laws Elaine, Connie, Darold (Kathy), Steve (Paula), Randy (Peg); nieces and nephews
Preceding her in death: her parents, husband Myron, son in law Galen Madsen, infant great granddaughter Allison, and Anita's siblings Ralph( Ree) Ritzen, Ruth Ellen (Richard) Hansen, Leander (Jean) Ritzen.
Visitation, Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont from 3pm to 7pm, with the family present from 5pm to 7pm. Celebration of Anita's Life 10:30am, Tuesday, Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Burial will be private. Memorials to the church.
*** There will be no viewing at the church the day of the service***
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Anita was born Aug.7, 1931 to her parents, the Rev. Martin and Pauline 'Pfenniger' Ritzen in Victoria, TX. She was baptized by her father at Trinity Lutheran Church. Her siblings were Ralph, Ruth Ellen, Leander and Norman.
The family moved to Lincoln, NE in 1930s where Martin began his ministry at Tabitha Home. When Anita was10 they moved to Fontanelle, NE where Martin served as pastor until his death in 1953. She was confirmed at Salem, Fontanelle in 1945.
Anita graduated in 1949 from Fremont Sr. High after boarding in Fremont her last two years of schooling. She excelled in academics, choir, Triple Trio, and piano and was salutatorian of her class. She was a Church Musician who sang or played for hundreds of worship services. Her adult years she learned the pipe organ and rehearsed diligently.
Anita was united in marriage to Kai Myron Brand Aug. 2, 1949 at Salem Lutheran, Fontanelle. They farmed northwest of Fremont and raised Doug, Nancy and Jan. During these years Anita was choir director, confirmation instructor and organist at Salem. She was employed at JCPenney, Soil Conservation Service and the Fremont Public School Administration office. Those busy years were filled with 4-H fairs, neighbors, Sugar and Spice Extension Club, family birthday parties, graduations, and church events. The family surprised Myron and Anita on their 25th anniversary party, hosted by Bob and Bev Knoell. The family hosted a big Lawrence Welk Special 50th Anniversary celebration in 1999 at Salem Lutheran, Fontanelle where children and grandchildren performed Champagne Music favorites.
They retired to an acreage in Fontanelle in 2000. Anita was caregiver to Myron as he struggled through Parkinson's. The family shared many visits at Hooper Care Center with music and ice cream. She moved to Tabitha Grace Pointe in Lincoln, NE in January 2021 and recently to Tabitha Journey House Hospice Care.
Survivors: Brother Norman (Lavonne) Ritzen; children Doug (Gail) Brand, Nancy (Joel) Schroeder, Jan Madsen; Eight grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, Brand Family in-laws Elaine, Connie, Darold (Kathy), Steve (Paula), Randy (Peg); nieces and nephews
Preceding her in death: her parents, husband Myron, son in law Galen Madsen, infant great granddaughter Allison, and Anita's siblings Ralph( Ree) Ritzen, Ruth Ellen (Richard) Hansen, Leander (Jean) Ritzen.
Visitation, Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont from 3pm to 7pm, with the family present from 5pm to 7pm. Celebration of Anita's Life 10:30am, Tuesday, Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Burial will be private. Memorials to the church.
*** There will be no viewing at the church the day of the service***
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com