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JERRY AND EVELYN Brandt marked their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday.
Jerry and Evelyn Brandt of Suttons Bay celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, Dec. 21.
The Brandts are the owners of Fairview Orchards in Suttons Bay, where they have resided for nearly 20 years.
The couple married in Denver while Jerry was in the Air Force and Evelyn was teaching in Littleton, Colo., and later moved to Lansing so Jerry could begin graduate school at Michigan State University, where he earned a Ph.D. in soil science.
Next they moved to Midland, where Jerry worked for Dow Chemical in various areas of research for the majority of his career.
They also spent three years in Massachusetts prior to deciding to farm in Suttons Bay.
They have owned Fairview Orchards since 1982 and moved permanently to Suttons Bay in 1991.
The Brandts have four children, including Andrew (Vickie) Brandt of Maryville, Calif., Leanne Brandt of Salt Lake City, Ruth (Achilles Spagnuolo) of Grand Rapids, and Gwynne (Mark Kadrofske) of Okemos.
Evelyn has volunteered for many years at the library in Suttons Bay, and is actively involved in community Bible study and PEO.
Jerry focuses on quality fruit and has received the president’s award for responsible pest management.
He is also on a zoning board and is actively involved in choirs.
The Brandts are also members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay, where several years ago Jerry split all the field stone for the foundation of the church’s building addition.
The couple celebrated their anniversary with a family reunion over Thanksgiving that included their four children and spouses, nine grandchildren, one of Jerry’s brothers, and Evelyn’s sister.
In addition, Jerry’s youngest brother and his wife, Dennis and Donna Brandt, joined the couple on an anniversary celebration trip.
