Brennan, Ruth Ann (Mrs. Harold Joseph) 1931-2023

BRENNAN, KOELLER, WIEDMAN

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/13/2023 at 19:31:32

Ruth Brennan, 92, of Le Mars, Iowa, died on Monday, September 11, 2023, at Park Place Estates Assisted Living in Le Mars.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Most Holy Name of Mary Parish – St. Catherine Catholic Church in Oyens, Iowa. Reverend Bruce Lawler will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery in Oyens. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be a Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Ruth’s name to Park Place Estates Assisted Living in Le Mars and St. Croix Hospice.

Ruth Ann Wiedman, the youngest of six daughters to Leo and Sophia (Koeller) Wiedman, was born on April 22, 1931, in Potosi, Wisconsin. Ruth went to Willow Creek Grade school in Wisconsin. She was first employed at the Dubuque Battery Factory for a year. She was then employed as a cook at the night club, “The Dugout” in Dickeyville, WI. While there, she became friends with a woman who was going to Ireton, Iowa to teach. She had Ruth come with her and attend Ireton High School where she graduated in 1957.

She was united in marriage to Harold Joseph Brennan on August 20, 1957, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Potosi, Wisconsin. The couple farmed south of Oyens, Iowa until Harold’s death in 1991. Ruth moved to Le Mars in 1992.

Over the years, Ruth was active in St. Catherine Catholic Church in Oyens where she served as an eucharistic minister and on the St. Catherine’s School board and St. Catherine Guild board. After moving to Le Mars, she became a member of All Saints Catholic Parish. She was active in Christian Mothers, Council of Catholic Women, and Catholic Daughters of the Americas for many years. She and Harold were members of Plymouth County Farm Bureau and Plymouth County Pork Producers. They served as leaders for the Union Vikings 4-H Club for 5 years. She served as secretary for the Plymouth County Democratic Party and served on the Plymouth County Extension Council for 4 years. After Harold’s death, Ruth enjoyed traveling and visiting all but 3 states and 15 foreign countries. Her favorite pastimes were playing cards, reading, computer games, having coffee with friends, and trying her luck now and then at the casino. Painting was her favorite thing, giving many of her paintings to family and friends. Most of all, she loved the time spent with her family.

Survivors include her children: Ann (Rich) Pick, Margaret Brennan, Mary (Rick) Embury, Kathleen (Tom) Johnson, Patricia (Doug) Hill, Joan Swenson (Smith), Colleen (Lewis) Brazil, Leo (Tiffany) Brennan, and David (Elizabeth) Brennan; her grandchildren: Sarah (Chad) Pecks, Josh (Amy) Pick, Natalie (David) Tabor, Gail (Mike) Whitney, Rebecca (Dwight) Shaull, Kelli (Jayson) Edge, Lindsey (Alex) Nelson, Jacob (Courtney) Hill, Jessica Hill, John Swenson, Annika Swenson, Matt (Victoria) Brazil, Alyssa Brazil, Hannah Brennan, Michael (Rachael) Brennan, Evan Brennan, Connor Brennan, Emma Brennan, Megan Brennan, and Sophia Brennan; her great grandchildren: Aiden, Mia, and Claire Pecks, Liam and Lillian Pick, Josie and Julia Edge, Wesley Hill, Allison Shaull, and Brooks Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Brennan; a son, Michael Brennan; a son in law, Michael Swenson; her parents, Leo and Sophia Wiedman; her sisters: Marie (Raymond Reynolds and Victor Irish) Irish, Dorothy (Art) Stoney, Florence (Harold) Redman, Bernice (Joe) Leeser, and Muriel Wiedman; her father and mother in law, Joe and Elizabeth Brennan; and a sister in law, Therese (Lawrence) Ternes.

Source: Rexwinkel Funeral Home online obituary.