Mathilda Louisa Brandts

Mathilda “Til” Louisa Brandts, age 97, of Vernon Center, died Monday, July 23, 2018, at Pathstone Crossing.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11am, Friday, July 27, 2018, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Vernon Center with visitation one hour prior. Burial following at St. Matthew’s Catholic Cemetery. Please share a memory of Til with her family at www.mankatomortuary.com. The family prefers memorials be directed to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul.

Til was born June 11, 1921, in Herwen, The Netherlands to Johannes and Maria (Noy) Roelofs. She shared with her family how they survived the difficult years of World War II. She saw firsthand the destruction the morning after Crystal Night when she crossed into Germany for an appointment.

She was married to Joseph Brandts on April 29, 1947, in Herwen, The Netherlands. Shortly thereafter, Til immigrated to the United States with her husband and three brothers. They soon settled on a farm near Vernon Center. Til was a talented seamstress and did beautiful pieces of handiwork for her entire family. In 1991, they moved to Vernon Center where they retired. Joe passed away in 1993. She resided at her home in Vernon Center until 2013 when she moved to Primrose and later to Pathstone.

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing cards, bike riding, ice skating, and dancing.

Til is survived by her children, John (Deborah) of Echo, Marie (Ron Giving) Tipcke of Red Wing, Paul (Roxie) of Garden City, Helen (Larry) Sexton of Janesville, and Joel (Teresa) of Mankato; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Mimy Brandts of St. James and Catherina Roelofs of Vernon Center; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends in the United States, The Netherlands, Canada, and Australia.

Til was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph Brandts; grandson, Matthew Sexton; brothers, Bill, Harry, Theodore, and Gerard Roelofs; sister, Maria Roelofs; and son-in-law, Bruce Tipcke.

The family wishes to thank Pathstone Crossing and Mayo Clinic Hospice for the excellent care given to Til.