October 3, 1974 - April 25, 2025

Jarrod H. “Bear” Brandes, 50, of Central City, died on Friday, April 25, 2025 at Litzenberg Memorial Long Term Care Center in Central City. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Fairview United Methodist Church in Central City with Pastor Gordon Paulsen officiating. Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at the church. Interment will be held at the Central City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.

com. Jarrod Henry Brandes was born on October 3, 1974 in Grand Island to Roger and Sharon (Anderson) Brandes. Jarrod grew up on the family farm north of Central City, and graduated from Central City High School in 1993. He earned his nickname “Bear” shortly after high school. He lived his life with the strength of a bear, not only as a nickname but also in reality. He also embraced his “cowboy” lifestyle to the fullest. He loved his therapeutic horseback riding lessons, as well as being outside on the farm exploring, helping with the horses and cattle. Moving to town to his own place gave him new independence where he was able to spend much of his time visiting with people at Long Term Care and Cottonwood. He especially loved his time at the Firebarn with the Central City Volunteer Firefighters. He was often seen wheeling around Central City, where he was a friend to everyone and never met a stranger. To know him was to understand he loved sharing a good story and a joke. A horror film officionado, he loved to create and draw monsters. He was also a huge Professional Wrestling fan; even making his brother track down some “Hulk Hogan” beer recently. Jarrod’s family was always the number one thing in his life, especially getting to spend time with his grandparents, and his several nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church and an Honorary Firefighter for the Central City Volunteer Fire Department. Those left to cherish his memory are his parents; Roger and Sharon Brandes of Central City, his siblings; Kane and Julie Brandes and their children, Cole, Ryan, Hailey, and Leo of Central City, Jess and Kelly Brandes and their children, Emma and Trig of Central City, Caitlin and Jordan Hahn and their children, Odin, Fenix, and Griffin of Santa Clarita, CA, and his grandmother; Naomi Anderson of Central City.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Earl and Alice Brandes and Dale Anderson, and his cousin; Christopher Anderson.