Brunstedt, C. W. 1918-2004

BRUNSTEDT, BAKKE, HARMS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/29/2007 at 14:20:47

MERRILL, Iowa -- C.W. "Cab" Brunstedt, 86, of Merrill passed away Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at Brentwood Good Samaritan Center in Le Mars, Iowa.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill, with the Rev. Dr. Klaus Raab officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Olson-Halweg Post 125. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

Casper William "Cab" Brunstedt was born July 17, 1918, in Blencoe, Iowa, the son of Carl and Anna (Bakke) Brunstedt. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1936.

On Sept. 21, 1938, he and Pearl J. Harms were united in marriage at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. The couple made their home in Merrill, where he worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 12, 1942. He trained as a marine diesel mechanic and received an assault boat training certificate. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 12, 1944, having attained the rank of motor machinist's mate second class.

Following the war, the couple made their home in Merrill. He owned and operated Brunstedt Motor Service in Merrill, a business he would operate for more than 50 years.

He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill. He also was a member of the American Legion Olson-Halweg Post 125 and had just received his 60-year service pin. He was dedicated to his community and served on the Merrill council for more than 30 years. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He also made fishing lures that he shared with family and friends. He will always be in his family's hearts with memories of his loving, caring and giving ways.

His memory will be cherished by his wife of 66 years, Pearl of Merrill; a daughter, Sally Kass of Le Mars; three grandchildren, Brad Kass of Le Mars, Jodi (Kass) Crescibene of Loveland, Colo., and Rick Kass and his wife, Melanie of Fort Collins, Colo.; five great-grandchildren, Matthew and Kory Kass, Brittany and Dylan Crescibene and Christopher Kass; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arnold "Rusty" Brunstedt; and a sister, Charlotte Benderman.

Pallbearers will be Brad, Rick and Matthew Kass, Merton "Stub" Jessen, Don Wankum and Fred Haring. Honorary pallbearers will be his godson, Greg Brienzo.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collecton; source: Sioux City Journal]