Virgil E. Brant, age 87, passed away at KC Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday, May 30, 2022.
Virgil was born on March 13, 1935, in Yuma, Colorado, son to Vernon and Della Brant. He was the second youngest child of 11, all preceding him in death. He grew up in a two-bedroom farmhouse during the Great Depression with no electricity, plumbing or running water. Virgil’s family had very little money, but his outlook on life was always positive, because as he said, “The best part of being poor is that we were always looking for treasures around the ranch, old farmsteads and even the dump.” In late 2020, Virgil wrote a short story called ‘Pesky Wind’ that shared many of the incredible stories of his childhood on the Colorado plains, including how the Christmas tree was a tumble weed or a cut off limb from a tree, flour bags were used to make shirts, and sheep lived in the house during the winter. At age eight, he was herding the sheep by himself with a rifle and working on the farm at all hours. Virgil was hardworking and diligent from a young age. At age 13, he lived by himself in a one-bedroom apartment over the grocery store in a nearby town so that he could attend high school. Virgil graduated Business School and worked at ANR Freight Line (previously known as Graves Truck Lines) in Claims Prevention; BCS Truck Line as a Bookkeeper; and Yellow Corporation as a Claims Investor.
Virgil married his sweetheart Nida Burns in 1957, with May 26, 2022, marking their 65th wedding anniversary. They had three children, Kevin, Kara, and Kristen.
Virgil had a great outlook on life and was always ready for anything. He had a way about him that inspired everyone around him, and life felt more fun when Virgil was around. He was always the first one up…always. He was up by 5:00 am his whole life. He would tell you he loved a drizzly gray day as much, if not more, than a sunny one. He was the first to try anything and the first to be anywhere. He was never late – instead, he was always at least 10 minutes early. His reputation became “hurry up and wait.”
Virgil had a passion for volunteering. In fact, a fellow church member once said Virgil’s favorite verse in the bible is “Send me.” He was a Scoutmaster for Kevin’s local Boy Scout troop as well as being heavily involved in serving the church. After Hurricane Katrina, he went to New Orleans to help rebuild. He worked in the Blessings Abound Thrift Store for Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He cooked and served breakfast with Resurrection Lutheran Church. He volunteered at the Christmas Store, handed out groceries at MLM Market and sorted food at Harvester’s. He also served on the Christian Board of Care at Bethany Lutheran Church. Virgil’s servant mindset extended throughout his community and beyond.
Virgil also served many years at the Sunflower Men’s Garden Club. Saying Virgil loved to garden and plant vegetables and flowers is an understatement! His most recent garden was at Park Meadows Retirement Community, where he managed the greenhouse and maintained an outdoor garden. Park Meadows residents were treated to freshly potted plants and delicious tomatoes regularly.
Virgil was a ‘know it all,’ but in the best way! He knew when to plant, could name any flower or tree, fix your plumbing, repair your fence, wallpaper your bathroom, concoct a makeshift tool, build a house, help with crafts at children’s birthday parties, and the list goes on. His most beloved project began in 1989, when Virgil and Nida bought a plot of land outside of Estes Park, Colorado. Over the next five years, they built much of the house themselves, often leaving Friday after work, driving all night, working on the house all weekend, and then driving back home in time for work on Monday. Once completed, they often stayed weeks and sometimes months at a time hanging out at ‘Brantacre’, where they enjoyed driving into Rocky Mountain National Park, hiking or just sitting on rocks watching the wildlife. Over the years he and Nida sent countless photos of the scenery, memories, and animals (a family favorite was “Fred” the fox). Virgil enjoyed happy hours and playing card and dice games with family and friends; he seemed to win more games than he lost, which perhaps was the reason he liked to be the score keeper.
Virgil took extreme pride in his grandchildren, Kelsey, Austin, and Briana, all of whom went on grand adventures with him, whether to Ranch Mart Mall for dumpster diving or to a new hiking route near the cabin to see who could spot the animals first. Oh, the treasures they found and memories they made! Virgil was quick to laugh with his grandkids, eager to hear about their lives, involved at every birthday party and school event, and was always up early (truly, he was always the first one awake) to cook breakfast.
Virgil had a knack for words. He knew the right things to say, even if it was sometimes wildly inappropriate. Virgil was known for his entertaining stories about his life experiences. One such story told recently was about the nicknames their Estes friends gave him, aka Stone and Sage (Nida). Must have been a doozy of a happy hour!
Virgil was a committed family man, giving public servant, wise and funny confidant, and generous neighbor. His short story was named Pesky Wind for his mother, who called the wind “pesky” when he was growing up in the Colorado Plains. But as he said in the introduction of the story, “We did not always like the wind…but if it did not blow, the windmill would not work, and this was the only way we could get water from the well.” That sentiment sums up Virgil’s life quite well; he was a no-nonsense, hardworking man, who always knew how to get things done and make things work. And those who knew Virgil saw that his hard work was always accompanied by a kind soul and a sweet – if not sometimes ornery – smile.
Virgil is survived by his devoted wife Nida; son, Kevin (Rob), daughters Kara Martin (John) and Kristen Bowen (Ric); grandchildren Kelsey Loughren (Stephen), Austin Martin and Briana Bowen; a great grandson, Maverick and a great granddaughter, Violet. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will greatly miss him.
Canadian Mist and Diet Coke are devastated by the loss of Virgil. A Celebration of Life will be held during Happy Hour (4:00 pm) at Mission Chateau Retirement Community on Friday June 24, 2022. (Details to follow.)
The family suggests memorial donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF Kansas City Chapter).