Brandsma, Russell 1933-2012

BRANDSMA, VUGTEVEEN, EILERS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/14/2012 at 06:06:07

Brandsma, Russell
Home Town: Hawarden, Iowa
Deceased Date: Saturday, August 11, 2012
Service: Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Address: Trinity Lutheran Church
1103 Central Avenue
Hawarden, Iowa
　
Obituary: Russell "Russ" L. Brandsma, 79, of Hawarden, IA, died on August 11th, 2012, at the Hawarden Regional Healthcare. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 15th, at 10:30 am, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Hawarden, IA, with Pastor Todd Bunge officiating. Burial will follow at the Grace Hill Cemetery, with military honors by the Hawarden American Legion. Visitation Hours are on Tuesday, August 14th, beginning at 12 noon and a prayer service will be held at 7 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Russ was born on June 22nd, 1933, in Rock Valley, IA, to George Brandsma and Lyda (Vugteveen) Brandsma. He graduated from Hawarden High School in 1951. He lettered in basketball, football and track. After graduation, he farmed with his dad for two years. In 1953, Russ was drafted into the US Army, Korean War. He took his basic training in Ft. Riley, KS, and was stationed in Silver Springs, MD, until his honorary discharge in 1955. During his time in the service, Russ played basketball for the Walter Reed Army Hospital team. After retiring from the service, he spent one year attending South Dakota State University where he played basketball. Russ married Betty Lou Eilers on June 19, 1960. He worked for LG Everist from 1960 to 1975. He began working for the City of Hawarden in 1975 and retired in 1997. While working for the city, he was a member of the Hawarden Fire Department, Jaycees, and the American Legion. Russ was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the board and altar guild.
Russ was a family man. He enjoyed watching his kids grow up on the acreage, loved watching his grandsons play basketball, and visiting his grandchildren in Florida. Russ was an avid sports fan. He especially enjoyed following the St. Louis Cardinals, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Green Bay Packers. He loved spending time with animals, especially, his llamas. He was very proud of his garden and flowers.
Russ will be dearly missed by his wife, Betty, of 52 years; son, Steve, and wife Kathy of Colleyville, TX; daughter, Julie, husband Robert Breon of Winter Park, FL; four grandchildren, Kevin (wife, Courtney), Thomas Brandsma, Max and Sydney Breon; brother Glenn, and wife Gerry, of Spencer, IA; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Eilers, of Huron, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lyda Brandsma and two brother-in-laws, Keith and Duane Eilers.
Source: Porter Funeral Home, Hawarden, IA., obit.