With deep sadness, we share the passing of Elwood Jay Brand—known to everyone simply as Jay—on August 25, 2025. He was 69 years old. Jay spent his unexpected, final days doing what he loved most – soaking in the peace and pride of his hunting farm in western North Dakota.
Born on June 23, 1956, in Breckenridge, MN to Elwood and Bette Brand, Jay’s life was rooted in family, friendship, and farming. In 1965, the family moved to West Fargo, and from that moment on, Jay never strayed far from his hometown roots. He farmed alongside his father and brothers, graduated from West Fargo High School in 1974, and built a lifetime of memories in the community he called home.
Jay was the kind of man who left a mark. A storyteller through and through—though often it was the same stories, told louder and funnier each time—he loved spending time with people. He teased with affection, laughed easily, and could talk to anyone, anywhere, about anything. If he hounded you, it meant he loved you. If you could get a word in while chatting with Jay, then you were talented, as he certainly had the gift of gab.
Jay built friendships that spanned decades—some hilarious, some wildly inappropriate, all meaningful. He was generous with his time, his talents, and treasure. His proudest role, without question, was being a father. His four children—Amber, Kelsey, Nick, and Luke were his whole world. If you ever met him, you knew that, because he never stopped talking about how beautiful, smart, and all-around perfect they were (and, let’s be honest, he was right). Jay found his greatest joy sitting around the kitchen table with his kids, listening to them banter back and forth and making their way through life together.
Jay worked for more than 30 years in the welding supply business. With hard work and dedication he forged many friendships and earned the respect of customers and coworkers alike. During this time he also worked closely with two of his brothers to build their business, Brand Trucking. Throughout his life, Jay also continued to lend a hand with his brothers’ farming operation. Doing fieldwork was one of the things he enjoyed most, operating equipment and helping out where he could.
The only thing Jay loved more than his customers, truck drivers, and farming, was hunting. He loved being out west with his two sons and his close friends. His quick wit wasn’t lost on the long drive. He’d be quick to hound you about missing a bird or, in the case of his two boys, over sleeping. As the years went on, he continued to find ways to enjoy his time there, often picking everyone up at the end of a walk, and sharing his excitement of a good shot. One of the most satisfying parts of hunting for Jay was watching his dogs hunt.
In 2017, Jay fulfilled a lifelong dream by buying a farmstead south of Dickinson. It became his happy place—his pride, his project, his peace. He was constantly working on it, improving every inch, and was always glad to talk about “his place out west.”
When winters would set in, Jay would usually head south for some sunshine—to Florida or Arizona—to soak up time with family and friends. Whether it was sipping a Morgan Coke on the patio, golfing, or walking the beach, Jay made time to enjoy life and the people he loved most.
Jay is survived by his four children: Amber (Matt) Thorstad, Kelsey (Adam) Gumke, Nick (Jessica) Brand, and Luke (Ali) Brand, his grandchildren Dillon, Allison, Jayden, Ben, Grace, Elise, Jack, Elijah, and one more on the way! He is also survived by siblings Sandy, Barb, Sue, Nancy, and Bruce.
We find peace in the promise of Jesus that he has joined his father, Elwood, mother Bette, and brothers, Jeff and Doug in heaven.
A service to remember and celebrate Jay’s life will be held Friday, August 29, 2025, at 2:00pm at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND. Visitation with the family will be held the evening prior, Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 6:00pm-7:00pm, with a prayer service starting at 7:00pm. The family would like to invite those able, to join them for refreshments at the West Fargo VFW following services Friday.
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