Brabander, Wallace 1924-2010

BRABANDER, EILTS, MORAN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/3/2010 at 10:36:14

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, April 30, 2010

Wallace Brabander, 85, of McCook Lake, S.D., died Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Wally was born Nov. 28, 1924, in Le Mars, the son of Henry and Emma (Eilts) Brabander. He graduated from Le Mars High School in 1943. He served in the armed forces in two wars, serving overseas with the Army in World War II and with the Air Force in the Korean War.

Following high school, Wally attended college at Westmar and worked on the family farm. He married Gloria Moran in Sioux City in 1949, and later lived and worked on the family farm and had two children.

In 1965 Wally attended Spartan Aircraft School in Tulsa, Okla., and began his career as an aircraft mechanic and pilot. He returned to Le Mars, where he became the manager of the local airport. In 1970 he and his family moved to Pierre, S.D., where he worked and managed the service department at Ice Flying Service until his retirement.

In 1997 Wally and his wife moved to McCook Lake, S.D., where his wife and son Ron still reside. His daughter Cindy lives in Denver, Colo.

Wally had many hobbies which he enjoyed throughout his life -- flying airplanes, photography, riding his motorcycle, using his computers, and working on projects in his garage. His love of flying and aircraft mechanics also involved the restoration of several airplanes, including his 1955 Piper Pacer. Wally was at home both in the pilot's seat and in the shop.

His photography hobby ranged from developing pictures in his darkroom to using his collection of vintage and digital cameras. He had an avid interest in computers and had even built one of his computers from individual components purchased online.

Wally was active in the communities in which he lived as a 4-H leader and volunteer fireman, and was a member of the American Legion, VFW and was with the Civil Air Patrol.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years; Gloria; his children; Ron and Cindy; his sister Marian Pratt and her husband Lyle of Kingsley; and nieces and nephews Terry Pratt, Linda Bohnenkamp, and Debbie Schroeder.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the Rev. Gary Landsness of St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A., Le Mars, officiating. Interment, with graveside military honors provided by the Wasmer American legion Post #241 of Le Mars, will be at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitations will continue from 1 p.m. until service time Monday afternoon.

Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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