Rocklin Grant Brandstadt
Age 80, of Bloomfield Hills, MI, passed away on May 28, 2022, in Traverse City, MI.
Rock was born on March 6, 1942, in Detroit, the only child of Gustave A. Brandstadt and Florence L. (Kaddatz) Brandstadt, and grew up in Ferndale, MI and Huntington Woods, MI. He graduated from Berkley High School in 1959 and Lawrence Technological University. Rock worked at General Motors Corporation for over 30 years.
Rock raised his boys, Kurt and Todd, with his high school sweetheart and wife, Kristine (Ulseth) Brandstadt (predeceased August 22, 2008), in Huntington Woods and Bloomfield Hills, MI over 44 years of marriage. He was active in the St. Olaf Lutheran Church (president), Huntington Woods and Berkley baseball leagues (coach), Boy Scouts of America (leader), Oakland County Garden Club (supporter), among other activities. He enjoyed spending time with the Pinochle Club, hosting a large group of family and friends for Lutefisk during the holidays, and hosting large dinner gatherings at the family cottage on Lake Clear. Rock also spent countless hours watching his sons’ baseball games and swim meets. Rock was a devoted husband and father and wanted the majority of his time to be spent with family, including his seven grandchildren. In 2012, Rock was blessed to marry Joan Forgrave and together they enjoyed the natural settings of both Laingsburg, MI and Torch Lake, MI, while engaging with an expanded family. He enjoyed becoming an uncle for the first time to many new nieces and nephews, who continuously expressed how much they loved and enjoyed spending time with their “Uncle Rocky.”
Throughout Rock’s life, he enjoyed interacting with family, spending time at the old family farmhouse in Canada, boating, exploring garage sales, eating popcorn & peanuts, and participating in numerous restoration projects. The projects ranged from home renovations, a 1939 Cadillac, and repairing antique clocks, which led to many opportunities to meet new friends along his journey! Rock was an avid reader and could often be found in his favorite chair enjoying a wide variety of literature, which were often shared with family and friends. Rock loved Detroit sports, especially his favorite teams, the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings.
Rock is survived by wife Joan, sons Kurt (Angela) Brandstadt and Todd (Bonnie) Brandstadt, as well as seven grandchildren, Ben, Nick, Sarah, Jack, Cam, Mollie, and Ellie.
The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, located at 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI, on Friday, June 3 from 3:00-7:00 PM. The funeral service will be at the Lansing Central United Methodist Church, located at 215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI, on Saturday, June 4 with a visitation from 10:00 AM until the service begins at 11:00 AM. The family invites you to join them for a luncheon following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lansing Central United Methodist Church or an organization of your choice.
25 Messages to “Rocklin Grant Brandstadt”
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Gary Edward Brandstadt
May 30, 2022 at 7:05 pmRemembering cousin Rocklin, and his extended family, with great fondness. Always remembering the lavish & lively summer parties, during both our growing-up years, at the Brandstadt summer-home in Klontarf twnship, Renfrew county(?), Ontario.
Della
May 31, 2022 at 6:59 pmLove you Rock
Will miss you.
Della
Sarah Fairman
May 31, 2022 at 7:13 pmWhat a great picture of Mr. Brandstadt – exactly how I remember him – a big smile, a warm hello, and a belly laugh. He was a great baseball coach and avid supporter at the swim meets. I’m so sorry for your loss and so grateful for his life full of the things he loved. Maroon Sox forever!
Paul Macpherson
May 31, 2022 at 9:28 pmMy condolences to you kurt and Todd, your dad will be greatly missed.
Stacey Engel and the Engel family
June 1, 2022 at 1:04 amOur loved and family friend for nearly 60 yrs. Swim meets, Christmass, Easter eggs and weddings (fire drill included). Thank you Rock for being in our lives.
Stacey Engel and family
Josh Goodrich
June 1, 2022 at 7:44 amThank you Rock for being you. In 2020, when most thought I was nuts to beat to the sound of a different drum, you not only told me I was right to do so but to continue on. I will definitely miss all of your stories (especially the ones you repeated 🙂 as they all inspired me to grow in more ways that I could have never imagined. The understanding and love you displayed for your family is something I have taken to heart as I raise my son, Cort. I hope where you are now, that there are about 88 different Hallmark TV channels available 24/7 for you 🙂 Miss you and love you and I’ll see you down the road!
Sally Russell
June 1, 2022 at 12:12 pmOur condolences to both Todd and his brother Kurt -and to all his friends and family-on the loss of your dad Rocky. From his obituary he sounds like he was a wonderful dad, person and friend. What a wonderful role model he was and his legacy will live on through all who knew and loved him. So sorry for your loss.
Sally and Chuck Russell
Bob & Mary McNeese
June 1, 2022 at 2:07 pmOur condolences to the Brandstadt family. Rock was such a nice, kind & gentle man. We enjoyed many fun family times together. Rock was always very welcoming with his smiles & huge hugs! Rest In Peace.
Kara Poovey
June 1, 2022 at 2:31 pmI have only the fondest memories of Rock. My deepest condolences to the whole family at this sad time. Sending much love to all.
Jen, Steve, Sofia & Jeffrey Montgomery
June 1, 2022 at 9:17 pmDear Brandstadt Family,
I’m so sorry for this enormous loss. Rock was loved by all. May you hold his memory close for comfort.
Love to all,
Jen
Janet Flick
June 2, 2022 at 9:00 amOur condolences to Todd and Kurt. We lived next door to Kris and Rock in Huntington Woods. Great neighbors. Very involved in the community. Good friends. You will be missed.
Janet and Earl Flick
Cam Family
June 2, 2022 at 11:39 amOur condolences to Kurt, Todd and the rest of the Brandstadt Family. Rock was instrumental in helping our family when we first settled in America. We always remember with great fondness his enthusiasm for life. He was a good friend and we will dearly miss his presence.
The Cam Family
Dick & Marilyn Sivertson
June 2, 2022 at 12:42 pmWe are so deeply saddened by the loss of our dear cousin Rock whose legacy will live on with his beautiful family. We cherish many fond memories of precious time spent with him and feel privileged that he was a part of our lives. Bless you Rock – you will be sorely missed.
With much love, Dick & Marilyn Sivertson
Steven D. and Shirley E.( Rayle) Johnson.
June 2, 2022 at 3:42 pmOur hearts go out to all of you! Our prayers are with you! Angela Brandstadt’s and Kurt’s Aunt and Uncle, Steve and Shirley Rayle Johnson.
Millie Brandstadt
June 2, 2022 at 10:48 pmDear Joan, Kurt, Angela, Todd, Bonnie and all the grandchildren, I was very sorry to hear of Rock’s passing. May you find comfort in the love of family and friends, I will miss our summer family reunions at Lake Clear and Round Lake Ontario
Bob Caswell
June 3, 2022 at 5:43 amCondolences and prayers to both Kurt and Todd and their entire family during this time of sorrow. I have nothing but happy and fond memories of the many times we’ve gotten together over the years.
So sorry for your loss.
Peace be with you.
Bob
Karl Eric Nurmi
June 3, 2022 at 10:09 amI will always cherish the time spent with cousin Rock and family. I will always remember the great times up at the family’s cabin in Ontario and the years of family get- togethers.
My thoughts love and prayers are with the Brandstadt family as they deal with this unexpected loss
Tim Evans and Keren Wick
June 3, 2022 at 5:10 pmRock was a totally class act and I was privileged to get to know him in the last few years after my daughter, Bonnie, married into Rock’s family by marrying one of his sons, Todd (also a class act inherited and learned from Rock). Funny how that happens—the son of a class act is also a class act. We are very happy to have Todd in our family and continue to be part of his.
Rest in peace, Rock. You will continue to be with us.
Tim and Keren
bob francis & hazel stammen
June 4, 2022 at 12:54 pmrock was a generous, considerate, and thoutful friend. i have fond memories of him parking for hockey at olympia. the 39 caddy! his 59 impela / country music craming for poly/sci @ highland park cc. enjoying henry ford museum and playing harmonica for him when visiting .he always liked to show the changes on woodward ave. from detroit to pontiac. rest in peace my dear friend as you have blessed all of us!
Chris Sivertson
June 4, 2022 at 6:29 pmRock was such a gentle soul and beautiful person. I always loved talking to him about all sorts of interesting subjects. Our love and condolences to all.
Chris Sivertson and Family
Susan Tower
June 4, 2022 at 8:31 pmDear Kurt and Todd,
I was so sorry to learn about your Dad. He was welcoming of new neighbors and showed his love of Huntington Woods and Berkley by all his actions. I have good memories of your mom and Dad as organizers of all the different swimming car pools. It was a good time.
I am so happy Sarah got a chance to say goodbye to her Maroon Sox coach and see you both.
Hugs
Sue Tower
Grace Haley
June 11, 2022 at 8:38 pmJoan, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I wish I could have been in Michigan to support you at the funeral. Gif bless you on your journey. Lots of love to you and your family! Grace Haley
Lori Cohn
June 18, 2022 at 11:17 amMy condolences to the family of Rock Branstadt.
I just learned of his passing and wanted to say what a kind man he was. We were neighbors in Bloomfield Hills. I hope that your memories of him will give you comfort in this sad time.
Lori and Mark Cohn
Tim Evans
September 7, 2022 at 2:52 pmI’m back in Michigan this weekend for a meeting, but more importantly to see my daughter, Bonnie, and all the Brandstadts we can find. RIP, Rock. You are already missed and will live on in all our hearts. Tim
Andrew Avery
April 3, 2024 at 5:31 pmI’m grateful for his and his family’s hospitality during countless afternoons and evenings spent at the family’s home in Huntington Woods. I shall never forget him.