Rev. Dale L. Brand

September 17, 1937 - August 31, 2021

Dale Lewis Brand was born to Marion and Olive Brand as the third of five children who grew up in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.  Although Christian, attending church was not part of this loving families' routine.  It was not until a high school classmate invited Dale to a church service that worshiping in the house of God became part of his life.  Dale became very involved with the Lutheran Student Association at South Dakota State University. His involvement with this organization had a significant impact on his spiritual life.  After graduating from college he enrolled in post graduate classes at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, where he met Phyllis Limberg, who later became his wife of 60 years.

Dale felt a calling to attend seminary school at Augsburg University in Minneapolis.  Phyllis worked as a teacher and supported the young couple as Dale pursued this goal.  After graduating he became an ordained minister, and just after the birth of their first child Michael in 1965, they set off to serve as missionaries.  Their first stop was Costa Rica for one year of language school where they both learned Spanish.  They then moved to Columbia to spread the word of God.  While serving as missionaries in Columbia, their daughter Krista was born in 1967.  During a 10-month furlough back in the states in 1970, their second daughter Lisa was born in South Dakota.  Dale and Phyllis continued on as missionaries until 1973, having served two years each in Tunja as pastor and in Sogamoso as principal of a church-run school.

After returning to the states Dale moved his family to Texas, where he would spend the rest of his life.  His pastoral ministries included First Lutheran Church in Edinburgh, Zion Lutheran Church of San Antonio, Zion Lutheran Church of Fredericksburg, St. Paul Lutheran Church of Mason and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Brownsville. Pastor Brand led a long ministry serving the Lord, preaching, touching and changing lives with his spiritual messages, wisdom and kindness. He performed many wedding ceremonies, baptized both children and adults and was often asked to speak at funerals. He initially retired from pastoral service in 2004 and moved back to San Antonio to be near his children and grandchildren. He came out of retirement twice to serve as interim pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church and House of Prayer Lutheran Church.  He continued to serve the Lord as a visitation pastor at Zion Lutheran Church of Helotes.  He also volunteered at Haven for Hope.

His writing was not limited to incredible sermons.  He also authored several books including: Dale's Story the First Forty Years, The Clash of Cultures in a San Antonio Church, Biblical Sermons for Public or Private Use, and NEW LIFE , a daily devotional with 365 passages that take the reader through the book of Romans.

Dale is survived by his wife Phyllis; son Michael, his wife Moon and their daughter Paloma; daughter Lisa Guerrero, her husband Ed and their son Brandon Macmillan; son-in-law Arthur "Trip" Sullivan, his son Jeremy, daughter-in-law Amanda and their two children Molly and Patrick; and Dale's sister Leona Ruffato; along with many in-laws, nieces, nephews and countless parishioners, friends and loved ones. Dale was preceded in death by his daughter Krista; his brothers Orvil, Don and Melvin; and nephews Tony and Kevin Ruffato.

In lieu of flowers, Dale would have preferred that you make an increased contribution to your favorite charity.

Memorial Service

October 2, 2021 at 10:00 AM

Zion Lutheran Church
9944 Leslie Rd
San Antonio, TX 78254
zionsa.org

Celebration of Life Luncheon,

following Memorial Service at

Los Encinos Hill Country Estates (outdoor venue).

To RSVP for lunch please email lisaguerrero05@gmail.com by Sept. 24th