Brownmiller, James Cyril (1946-2008)

BROWNMILLER, LEESLEY, SCHMIDT, MAJERES, WENTZEL, GAUL, WILKEN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/8/2008 at 14:09:07

LeMars Sentinel, Friday, June 6, 2008

James C. Brownmiller, 61, of Le Mars, died Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at home surrounded by his family.

James Cyril Brownmiller was born Aug. 15, 1946, in Le Mars, the son of Cyril A. and Audrey A. (Leesley) Brownmiller. Jim was raised in Marcus and graduated from Marcus High School in 1965. Following high school, Jim began his career as a truck driver with his father at Cy Brownmiller Trucking out of Marcus. Jim drove truck as an owner/operator for several years.

Jim was united in marriage to Joyce Schmidt at St. John's Lutheran Church at Craig, Iowa. In 1986, Jim and Joyce decided to open their own trucking company, B-T Inc. In 1995, they sold their business. After a short retirement, Jim and Joyce established a second trucking company, Brownmiller Leasing & Transportation in 2001.

In 2006, Jim and Joyce acquired the Le Mars Truck Stop. They renovated and re-opened the Le Mars Truck Stop and J & J Café to serve the needs of the community and the many truckers in the area.

Jim and Joyce have been longtime active members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Jim enjoyed fishing, playing golf, and traveling. Jim was a very good cook, often times cooking meals for his employees. He always considered his employees to be part of his extended family.

Besides being extremely generous, he had a great sense of humor and loved to make people smile. His greatest joy in life was his family. He treasured the time spent with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Joyce; his children: Brent and his wife Theresa and their children Josie and James, Hope Majeres and her husband Andrew and their children Haley, Ashley, and Jackson, Todd and his wife Carrie and their son Cole, all of Le Mars and Troy and his wife Kim Wentzel of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sisters: Margaret Gaul and her husband Doug of Sioux City, Jeanie Wilken and her husband Merle of Akron, Kathy Bray and her husband Eldon of Le Mars; two brothers, Dan Brownmiller and his wife LaVonne and Tim Brownmiller and his wife Pam, all of Le Mars; a brother at heart, Gary Booth and his wife Shelia of Marcus; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Cyril A. and Audrey A. (Leesley) Brownmiller; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marian and Leonard Schmidt; nephew and God-son, Scott James Wilken; and a niece, Allison Joy Schmidt.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today (Friday) at St. John's Lutheran Church with the family present to greet friends after 5 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service, all at the church. Visitation will continue Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Bart Brownmiller, Brian Brownmiller, Brett Brownmiller, Jon Schmidt, Andy Schmidt, Adam Schmidt, Kyle Schmidt and Dylan Schmidt.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland or American Cancer Society.