Mr. Mervin (Merv) Brandt of Stafford Lake, beloved husband of Effie Brandt and of the late Irene Brandt, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at the age of 73 years.

Merv was born to Fanny and Martin Brandt of Regina, SK on November 28, 1943. He was the second youngest of 17 children. He spent his formative years in Regina where he met and married his first love, Irene Frisko. They moved to Lethbridge in 1977 for a new position with Oliver Chemical. Together they raised their three children, Wayne, Shelley and Kurtis. After the loss of his first wife, Merv was blessed with a second great love he found with Effie Johnston. They were married in 1996 and he proudly became a stepfather to Trevor and Ryan Johnston. Over the years Merv worked in several areas of the agriculture industry from Niagra Chemicals to Oliver Chemical, then partnering in Garden City Ag Supplies. Later he and his son Kurt, owned and operated a purified water store, H2O to Go. In recent years, he helped Kurt with his commercial property and also worked part-time for Agro Plus.

Besides his loving wife Effie, Merv is survived by his four sons Wayne (Kerry) Brandt of Sherwood Park, their children and grandchildren Shaun (Nicole) Brandt (Arlo and Etta) of Miami, Florida; Ashley (Jamie) Poirier (Finley and Walker) of Sherwood Park, Kurtis (Kathy) Brandt of Lethbridge and their children Trey and Mackenzie; Trevor (Kris) Johnston of Edmonton and their children Rex and Ocean, Ryan (Mandy) Johnston of Lethbridge and their daughter Camille.

He is also survived by his son-in-law Ray McIntosh and Ray’s sons Kyle (Breanne) McIntosh and Logan McIntosh, all of Lethbridge.

Also surviving are Merv’s siblings Ernest, Adeline Mackenzie, Kathy (Alf) Lightfoot, Alma Brandt, Gordon (Faith), and Cherylanne (Mike) Hyland; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Merv was predeceased by his first love Irene, his beloved daughter Shelley, his parents Fanny and Martin, and siblings Ernhardt, Richard, Norman, Helen, Irene, Ronald, Alice, Herman, Raymond and Marlene.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters, (622 6 Ave S Lethbridge, AB T1J 0Z3), or Boys & Girls Club (1405 8 Ave N, Lethbridge, AB T1H 6N9) or Woods Homes (312 - 3 Street S. Lethbridge, AB T1J 1Y9)

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 6:00pm and 7:00pm on Monday, January 2, 2017 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 St. S., Lethbridge, AB.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, with Deacon Ray Wagner officiating. Inurnment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.