Bruce Glenn Brownlee (2023)
BROWNLEE, CHRISTENSEN, DWYER, GAST, HOCHSTETLER, JOHNSTON, OLDENKAMP, PRALL, SPERA, SUNDERMAN, WARNER, WINCHELL
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:13
Kale Funeral Home
Osceola, IowaApril 6, 1926 - October 23, 2023
Bruce Glenn Brownlee, Johnston, Iowa (formerly of West Des Moines and St. Charles)
Bruce Glenn Brownlee was born April 6, 1926 at home east of Coin, IA to Archie Glenn and Grace Nettie(Christensen) Brownlee. He was the youngest of five children.
He was a lifelong farmer.
Bruce grew up in the Coin area attending Long Branch Country School and graduating from Coin High School in 1943. He played basketball, six-player football and involved in 4-H. In 1950 he met Mary Warner at a youth conference and they were married October 11, 1953 and settling near Coin to farm. Seven children blessed this marriage - Sue Anna, Karen Lynn, Van Bruce, Don Glenn, Mark Alan, Janis Marie and Sara Jean.
Bruce was called up to serve the Army in 1954, stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Lee, Virginia and lastly in Fort Carson, Colorado. He was discharged in 1955.
After his service, Bruce and Mary first lived in the Coin area and then in 1959 bought a farm near Saint Charles and moved the family there. Bruce served on the school board, was a township trustee and clerk and church board member. Bruce was active in many agricultural organizations including Madison County Pork Producers and Farm Bureau. In 1981, Mary lost her battle with cancer.
In 1991, Bruce met Elinor Prall and they married in December 1992. Elinor and Dad resided in West Des Moines until last fall when they moved to Eden Crest Assisted Living in Johnston, Iowa. Bruce and Elinor enjoyed traveling from local trips to Europe. They were avid volunteers - helping at the Iowa State Fair & Blue Ribbon Foundation, Iowa Public Broadcasting, Bidwell Riverside and their Church - West Des Moines Methodist.
Bruce always reminded us to count our blessings. He enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren's’ school, music, athletics, 4-H and other activities. He leaves a long legacy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, sons Van and Don, siblings and their spouses Dale and Anna Brownlee, Ray and Margaret Brownlee, Ruby Jean and Kenneth Spera, and Jim and Virginia Brownlee. Also in-laws - Maxine and Clifford Sunderman, Roseanne Sunderman, and Charlie and Joan Warner.
He is survived by his wife Elinor, daughters Sue Brownlee, Austin, Texas, Karen (Alan) Gast, Manhattan, Kansas, Janis Hochstetler (Russ), Winterset, Iowa and Sara (Dale) Oldenkamp, Slater, Iowa, son Mark (Julie) Brownlee, New Virginia and daughters-in-law Lisa Brownlee , St. Charles, and Cheryl Brownlee, Leon, Iowa. Grandchildren: Andrew Gast, Meredith Gast, Tess (Dillan) Dwyer, Brody (Erin Brownlee), Jordan (Kyra) Brownlee, Spencer (Klaci) Brownlee, Torrie (Chris) Johnston, Nathan (Drea) Brownlee, Rachel (Joe) Winchell, Travis (Maddie) Brownlee, Moses Hochstetler, Jake Oldenkamp and Josie Oldenkamp. Eight Great Grandchildren, Step-sons Steve Prall (Johnston, Iowa) and Dave (Kristen) Prall, Cape Coral, Florida. Step- Grandchildren TJ Prall and Stacy Prall and three Step-great Grand-children; brother-in-law Arlo Sunderman. And a host of nieces and nephews.
Bruce died Monday October 23, at his home in Johnston.
Family will greet friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Wednesday evening at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola.
Funeral Services will be Thursday at 10 AM at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, followed by interment in the St. Charles Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Madison County 4H, West Des Moines Methodist Church or the Multiple Sclerosis Association.
A Live Stream of the services will be available at kalefuneralhome.com.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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