Harold Bertus Brands was born on September 17, 1942 in rural Edgerton, Minnesota to Bert and Dorothy (Bleyenburg) Brands.  He was the seventh of nine children.  He attended grade school in Edgerton and high school at SW Christian High School.  After high school he attended two years at Northwestern College in Iowa, living those years by the Gritters.  In 1969 , he purchased a farm north of his parents and that became his lifetime vocation.  A run-down farmhouse was his first nursery, and by hard work he eventually built a modern farrowing house and nursery.  At the age of 33, Harold married Carol De Jong and God blessed the union with nine children.  After retirement he continued to raise feeder pigs until December of 2016.  On January 9, 2017 he entered into the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where he passed away after a 17 year struggle with Parkinson’s disease on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the age of 74 years, six months, and 26 days.

            Harold loved most outdoor activities.  The children swap stories of fishing exploits, sports in the hayfield, hunting, bird-watching, and running.  He was also a keen observer of Minnesota sports teams.  Harold had a deep reverence for the God of his salvation.  Everyone who knew him sensed his sincere faith.  This was evident also in the many years spent as a board member of the Free Christian School and in his often-perfect attendance at Bible Society.  He was also a deacon and then an elder at the Edgerton Protestant Reformed Church. 

           Harold is lovingly remembered by his wife, Carol, of Edgerton; eight children who travelled great distances to spend precious time with Harold in his last illness, Daryl (Cathy) Brands of Jenison, Michigan, Kristin (Phillip) Kleyn of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jonathan Brands of Holland, Michigan, Alyssa (Bob) Knecht of Hawley, Minnesota, Shawn Brands of Texas, Jeremy Brands of Missoula, Montana, Monica Brands of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Tricia Brands of Madison, South Dakota; 13 grandchildren, James, Kelsi and Evan Brands, Zachary, Ethan, Seth, Tyler, Annica and Jenna Kleyn, and Devin, Dylan, Drew and Dustin Knecht; three siblings, Hennie Gritters of Hull, Iowa, Ron (Sandy) Brands of Edgerton, Minnesota, and Bob (Phyllis) Brands of Loveland, Colorado; Carol’s 15 siblings and their spouses; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and friends.  Harold was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Janelle; and five siblings, Gerrit Brands, Art Brands, Evert Brands, Elberta (Bernard) Hop, and John Brands.