Herald Macy Brownell (1891-1980)

BROWNELL, JOHNSON, HOPKINS, TALCOTT, SIMPSON, LONNING, SPECK

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 12/31/2002 at 12:17:34

Herald Macy Brownell (1891-1980)

Fayette - Services for Herald Brownell, who died at Palmer Memorial Hospital, were held at Grace Lutheran Church Thursday afternoon, September 25, (1980), with Pastor David Poganski officiating. Interment was in Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard. Grandsons werving as pallbearers were Gary Brownell, Richard Brownell, Bill Brownell, Brent Johnson, Brad Johnson Dennis Hopkins and David Hopkins.

Herald Macy Brownell was born at Hiawatha, Kansas July 24, 1891, son of William James and Nora (Talcott) Brownell. His early childhood was spent in Kansas and Iowa. He attended school at Maynard.

December 3, 1913, he was married to Hazel Simpson. To them three children were born, Gwenda, Gerald and Gene. She preceded him in death in 1946. Herald came from a large family of eight children, all of whom preceded him in death.

Farming occupied the first 22 years of his adult life and lead him to his work with the Agriculture Adjustment Administration for approximately nine years, serving as county chairman for three years.

In 1947, Herald married Gladys Lonning Johnson, Fayette, and operated the G & B Cafe for 10 years, until semi-retiring in 1957. During their retirement years they helped friends operating the Twin Poplar Motel at Cedar Rapids for three years, and spent time traveling. He died September 23 at the age of 89 years and two months.

Survivors are his wife, Gladys; two sons, Gerald, Riverside, California, and Gene, Westgate; two stepsons, Tom Johnson, Valrico, Florida, and Robert Johnson, West Union; a daughter, Gwenda, Iowa City, and two stepdaughters, Ruby Jean Speck, Fayette and Mrs. Darwin (Kay) Hopkins, Fort Dodge; six grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 14 step-great grandchildren.

Note - from files of the the Fayette County Historical Center, West Union, Iowa