Josephine F. Brandli

Age 89, formerly of Circle Pines, MN, passed away peacefully in hospice care on March 14, 2025 at Round Lake Senior Living in Arden Hills with her loving husband, Don, at her side, where they resided. 

Josephine "Josie" was born to John and Anastazia (Hlobik) Beniak in Dodge Center, MN on January 29, 1936. She grew up on the family farm with her loving older sibs, Rudy and Mary. Josie attended Dodge Center School and at an early age she desires to become a teacher.

In 1952 on Halloween, in her Junior year, she began dating Don Brandli, a twin of her close friend, Dorothy. After graduating from Dodge Center High School in 1954 she attended Mankato State Teacher College. After graduating with a three-year teaching degree in March of 1957, she began teaching at Claremont. Don and Josie were married June 8, 1957 and resided in Owatonna, where their son Pete was born. After Don graduated from MSTC in 1959 they moved to Dundalk, Maryland, where their son Tim was born. Josie taught nine years at Charlesmont Elementary School in Baltimore County before moving to Circle Pines, Minnesota in 1968. She taught first grade for 26 years at Centennial Elementary School completing a teaching career of 37 years in 1997.

Josie was a member of the St. Joseph Parish since 1968 and took special delight in being part of a small discussion group for over 38 years. She was an active supporter of charity and justice activities including Feed Your Starving Children, Loaves and Fishes, mission trips to Guatemala & Nicaragua, and sponsorship programs for needy children. 

Josie cherished the special times with family and friends at their Child Lake cabin. The top July 4th event was celebrating Christmas in July with Grandma B. Josie enjoyed spending time with Mary Ann as they prepared for the Beniak holiday dinners. Josie was a great cook, having learned her skills from her mother, Mary, and Mary Ann. Just one of the many reasons Don is proud of marrying a Slovak.

Don and Josie are so proud of Pete and Tim for choosing Patricia and Tsering to be our daughters-in-laws. We are so blessed to have such wonderful women in our family. Don and Josie loved to travel and have visited all 50 states and all the bordering providences of Canada. They also visited Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rico and Panama.

Josie is preceded in death by her parents, John and Anastazia Beniak; her brother, Rudy; her sister, Mary; and her infant brother.

Josie is survived by her husband of 67 years, Don Brandli; her sons, Peter (Patricia) Brandli of Salt Lake City, UT and Timothy (Tsering) Brandli of Circle Pines, MN; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

The family prefers memorials to Feed My Starving Children, Centennial Area Education Foundation, or Believe Guatemala.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 25 at St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church, 171 Elm St., Lino Lakes. Visitation from 10 – 11 AM Tuesday at the church. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery. 

Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@stjosephofthelakes