LINN  — Tom and Betty Brandt of Linn have been a big part of the community for many years and will be honored on Saturday as grand marshals of the Linn Lions Christmas “Santa’s Workshop” parade as part of Christmas on Main Street.

“Tom approached me last year before the parade about how to nominate Betty for grand marshal,” said Lions member Mitch Branson. 

He looked into it but learned that Neal Johnson had already been selected as last year’s grand marshal.

“I went back to Tom and told him I would try to make it happen (for 2022),” said Branson. “I didn’t forget, and the more I thought about it, it made sense for Tom and Betty to do it together. They have been pillars in the Linn community for many years.” 

Tom’s reason for nominating his wife was the number of kids Betty has taken care of over the past 52 years. “My reason for both of them was that since Tom has retired, he has helped Betty,” Branson explained. “They also have done many different fundraisers for various mid-Missouri and Osage County events and families.” 

They have participated in Relay for Life, and Missouri Moonshiners Car Club events (poker runs, cruise-ins, swap meets, etc.), which helped fund scholarships for local technical college students. 

“I received one in 2004, and they also sponsored my mud-racing Jeep one summer when I was going to State Tech,” said Branson, now an instructor at the college. 

More recently, they have sponsored the Betty’s Day Care poker run, which helped Relay for Life, the Special Learning Center, and local families with hardships. 

“They also attend many local events and always are supporting their family and extended family of daycare kids in sporting events, weddings, birthday parties, and whatever might be needed,” said Branson. “They always have a following of both young and old when they are out and about in the community. Their daycare kids flock to them at the community events and will sit for hours.” 

Tom and Betty Brandt are well known in the Linn, Loose Creek, and Westphalia communities. “It became very easy for me to want to go to the Lions Club and nominate both of them,” said Branson.

Once selected, Branson thought about the ideal float for the parade. “As I thought about the number of people they have helped over the years, I approached my wife, Sophie, with the idea to put together a float of former Betty’s Day Care kids.” 

She thought it was a good idea, and Branson asked Betty about it on the way home from the Fatima softball game at Seneca. 

Betty provided a list of kids she has cared for over the years. “The list was extensive and included generations of families that have gone to Betty’s Day Care,” said Branson, who spent the last several weeks trying to contact folks about the float. “I have received wonderful feedback, and I think many are looking forward to it. We have a special surprise for them on the day of the parade as well.”

Tom’s yellow hot-rod truck will pull the floats (yes, two trailers) full of former daycare kids supporting them like they have supported the kids and their parents over the years. “We will most likely have the first child, now an adult that Betty took care of (Doug Schreiman) and the most current (Paul Kuschel) in her care,” said Branson. 

Katie Kuschel is helping with trailers and straw, and the families are bringing candy to throw during the parade.

“Tom and Betty are a very deserving couple of this small honor, and I think they will enjoy it very much,” said Branson.

The parade will feature marching bands, floats, horses, and Santa, and parade entries must register upon arrival;  pre-registration is not necessary.

Parade participants will enter from 12th Street and line up behind the ballpark grandstand from 12:30 to 1:50. Trailers may be unloaded and parked in the lot owned by Ron Helmig on Lee Street.

Those with classic cars in the parade are asked to line up on Hwy. 50 westbound in front of the St. George Cemetery entrance.

Linn Fire Protection District personnel will be collecting food and money for the Good Shepherd Food Pantry during the parade.

Award plaques will be presented for first, second, and third place for best entry overall.

For more information, call Ron Hoffman at 573-291-8597.