Benjamin J. "Ben" Brand, 94, Minot, died peacefully on Thursday, November 14, 2019 in the Good Samaritan Society in Bottineau.

Ben was born December 16, 1924 to William and Gladys (Teets) Brand in Minot, North Dakota, the third of four children. Ben never married.

He attended school in Minot, North Dakota and graduated from Minot High School. Ben worked in the Consolidated Aircraft factory near San Diego, California during World War II building the PBY Catalina airplanes. He was also an inventor and held a patent for an aircraft hold-down device. After the war he returned to Minot.

Ben was an accomplished carpenter. He remodeled and added on to several homes in and around Minot, and also built several new homes in the greater Minot area. He was a very conscientious craftsman and took pride in doing a job right.

Ben loved to tell stories about how Minot had changed over the years. He once helped raise some coyote pups with his brother when their family lived in Northeast Minot. He also talked about walking from Minot to his visit his grandparents and cousins near Logan. Stories of a simpler, slower-paced life and growing up in Minot.

Ben also enjoyed puns and jokes – although some of those who heard them often enough would react less than enthusiastically.

Ben is survived by his sister-in law, Gladys Brand and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, William "Bill", and sisters, Gladys Hanes and Violet "Vi" Van Sickle.

Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.