Mary Theresa Brandes

May 12, 1928 - February 4, 2020

Tracy – Mary Theresa Brandes, age 91, of Tracy, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the home of her son in Tracy, CA, following a short illness. Mary was born May 12, 1928 in Dodgeville, WI, the 7th child of William and Anne (Whalen) Hittesdorf. She married William Lee Brandes at St Philip Catholic Church in Battle Creek, MI on July 12, 1952. Following their marriage they lived in Battle Creek MI, then moved to Marshall, MI, where their two sons, William L. Brandes, Jr, and Dale R. Brandes, were born. The family moved to Jackson, MI in 1958 where her husband died in June of 1959. Mary remained in Jackson on Roosevelt Circle where she raised her sons with wonderful neighbors, Paul and Mary Matteson. Mary moved to Tuscon, AZ in 1984 to live with her sister Eva Eckes and be near her first grandchild. In 1990 she moved to Tracy, CA to be near her son Dale. She lived in Tracy the remainder of her life, frequently traveling to the Hittesdorf Farm in Wisconsin and Michigan to visit her family and friends. Mary is survived by her sons; Wm Lee (Pam) of Cave Creek AZ, Dale (Pat) of Tracy CA, four grandchildren; Ashley (Zander) Bennett of Concord CA, Wm Lee (Annabelle) of Tempe AZ, Nathaniel, and Andrew of San Ramon CA, and three great-grandchildren; Harriet and Ramona Brandes of Tempe AZ, Vivienne Bennett of Concord, CA, and many cherished nephews and nieces. Mary will be buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Marshall MI.