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Ray Brandenburg passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on Aug. 31, 2026. Ray was born in Kansas City, Missouri on Feb. 7, 1929. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marjorie Brandenburg. He was predeceased by his son David and his sister Peggy Moore. He is also survived by his daughter Rachel Markun and her husband Paul, his daughter-in-law Patti Brandenburg, his daughter Karen McRitchie, and his daughter Amy Davis and her husband Mike. He was the proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Ray was extremely proud of his service in the U.S. Army during WWII and the Korean Conflict. Although Ray missed combat, he trained as a paratrooper and artillery forward observer embedded with front line infantry. He was grateful to his country and how he was rewarded for his military service. Thanks to the G.I. Bill of Rights, Ray was the first member of his family to earn a college degree (University of Missouri). Later in life, the VA was kind to Ray on medical issues.
Professionally, Ray worked in sales and marketing in the hardware industry in Des Moines, Iowa, Kansas City, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. Ray was a manufacturer's representative on several national accounts for a variety of power tools and products. Ray enjoyed traveling and his many colleagues and friends that he made throughout his career. Ray and Marj retired to Alpena and lived there for 22 years. In Alpena, Ray enjoyed time spent on Grand Lake and volunteering. Although hard working and accomplished, Ray considered his greatest achievement to be his 70-year marriage to the love of his life, Marjorie. Ray lived at Cedarbrook Senior Living in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for 7 years and had great appreciation for his many friends and caregivers.