Vernon (Bud) William Brandau, 97, longtime Lindon, Washington County, Colorado area and Apache Junction, Arizona resisdent, died Thursday afternoon, March 26, 2020, in his home in Apache Junction. Bud was born January 15, 1923, on the homestead in Tinley Park, Cook County, Illinois, to Harry and Mamie Schellhase Brandau.

He worked and farmed with his dad and brother Lloyd in Tinley Park until he joined the Navy March 9, 1945. While stationed at the Naval Air Station in Norman, Oklahoma he met naval cadet Ophelia Pauline Wilson (24 Aug 1925 - 4 Jul 2007). Their relationship endured and they were married in Yuma, Arizona, March 4, 1946. After release from the Navy they lived for a short time in Tinley Park then they moved to Otis, Washington County, Colorado in 1950. In 1956 they moved to the family farm at Ward Ranch* near Lindon, Washington County, Colorado.

He professes Polly was the reason they moved to Colorado from Illinois, and sacrificed a house of 30 years, so they could buy one more piece of farm equipment or land. They established a family, took in delinquents and lost kids, and were blessed to be healthy enough to enjoy life.

Bud semi-retired in 1983 and became a snowbird (a northerner who moves to a warmer southern state in the winter) in Apache Junction. Traveling with his wife Polly, playing cards at 5 A.M. with the guys, golfing at the Snakehole golf course, and engaging and “discussing” topics were his favorite pastimes. He officially retired in 1988 and became permanent resident of Apache Junction.

Bud had friends, good friends everywhere he lived, from Tinley Park to Otis to Lindon to Apache Junction. More than 150 friends and relatives showed up to celebrate Bud’s 95th birthday.

Bud was a World War II veteran, a member of the Woodlin Lion’s Club, a member of the Apache Junction Elks, lifetime member of American Legion, and lifelong member of the Methodist Church.

Bud is survived by his son Gene (Roma) Brandau and daughter Nancy (David) Gettman all of Lindon; grandchildren, Curt (Angela) Weeks of Twin Falls, ID, Paula Gettman, and Kelly (Bryan) Schafroth all of Denver, Sarah (Scott) Crites of Buena Vista, Angela (Jay) Salberg and Rebecca Brandau all of Greeley, six great, and three great great grandchildren, numerous nieces, and nephews and a multitude of family and friends. Bud is preceded in death by his wife, Pauline; daughter, Judy Brandau Downs; great granddaughter, Abbigail Salberg; and brother, Lloyd Brandau.

Bud had a vision to form a “nursing scholarship” in memory of his wife Polly who was a nurse cadet in WW2. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brandau Trust that will be earmarked for this scholarship. Memorial services will be held later in Colorado and Apache Junction.

Heer Mortuaries and Crematory, 222 Cameron St, Brush CO 80723

Burial Abbott Church Cemetery Washington County, Colorado, USA

*Ward Ranch is a cultural feature (locale) in Washington County, Colorado with coordinates 39.9°N, 103.46°W and an approximate elevation of 1,418 meters (4,652 feet). Ward Ranch is displayed on the Antelope Creek West USGS quad topo map The primary coordinates for Ward Ranch place it within the 80740 ZIP Code delivery area. The topo map shows a landing strip at Ward Ranch.
- colorado.hometownlocator.com and Topozone