Bruening, Darrell H. 1944 - 2023

BRUENING, HOMEWOOD, SCHLEE, TROGE, MASIAS, WHALEN, SCHMITT, BARTH, MUSSAW, CHRISTOPHER, HOLKESVIK, JOHNSON, IMOEHL, OHLOFF, DUESEL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/3/2023 at 15:14:18

Darrell H. Bruening age 78, of Decorah, IA, passed away unexpectedly and followed his Angels to his new home on Monday, January 30, 2023, at Winneshiek Medical Center.

Visitation will be on Sunday, February 5, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Helms Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah with a prayer service at 2:00 p.m.

There will be a celebration of life following the service from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 105 River Street in Decorah.

Burial will be held at St. Bridget Cemetery, Bluffton, IA, at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6, 2023.

In Lieu of flower memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa - 2345 Millennium Rd, Decorah, IA, 52101

Darrell was born on February 22nd, 1944, to Edward (Pappy) and Amy (Homewood) Bruening in Decorah, IA. Darrell, along with his twin brother, Dale, were the youngest of 5 children. In this rambunctious home, Darrell and Dale along with their older siblings, Melvin, Rita and Kenny, provided their home with love, enjoyment, and excitement.

With a strong family work ethic, the Bruening family built a family farm in Bluffton that became known as the Bruening Farm Corporation. One of the proudest moments on the Bruening Farm was when Darrell and his nephew delivered triplet calves on January 21st, 1977. The frequency of triplets was a 0.03 percent, the veterinarian that was called in after the births stated he had not seen triplet dairy calves in his 32 years. These calves became famous and were featured in the Wallace Farmer magazine.

Darrell graduated in 1962 from Decorah High School. On July 14th, 1962, Darrell married Juanita (Nita) Schlee. To this union, three daughters were born. Debbie, Darcy, and Denise. Darrell and Nita parted ways in 1979, however they kept a bond of friendship throughout the years.

In 1980, Darrell took to the road and headed south to Durant, Oklahoma. Bringing with him his Iowa strong farm work ethics and all his John Deere toys, he became the “go to” man for custom farming. With one of his clients being the owner of the land that which on now, sits the Dallas Fort Worth Airport.

His love of Iowa and family called him back in 1991. At this time, he began his 32-year career at Bruening Rock Products. Which he was still proudly employed by up until he took his last breath. Darrell sincerely enjoyed his years with his BRP family, and the hours spent in his Truck and Floater Lime Spreader.

In 1992, Darrell’s life went topsy turvy, when he met and fell in love with his beloved Gretchen. Darrell and Gretchen were blessed with 31 years of sharing their love and families with each other. He was her “Honey” and she was his “Dear”. Darrell was a humble man of few words, his huge fun-loving heart, and strong dedicated work ethics made him the man that we all loved, enjoyed, and were so very proud of.

Darrell is survived by his beloved Gretchen (Troge), his daughters; Debbie (Mark) Masias, Darcy (Joe) Whalen, Denise (Tim) Schmitt, son Jed Johnson and bonus daughter Tracy (Dean) Barth. Grandchildren; Sarah (James Engle) Masias, Jennifer (Ethan) Mussaw, Taylor (Christine Anderson) Masias, Amber (Chance) Christopher, Jamie Whalen, Aubrey (Zeb Holkesvik) Whalen, Samantha Johnson and Korbin Johnson. Bonus Grandchildren; Kyle Troge, Jacinda (Cody) Imoehl and Jania (Garret Ohloff) Barth. Great Grandchildren; Serena Nelson, Kaleb Nelson, Kale Christopher, Riley Christopher, Nora Whalen. Bonus Great Grandchildren; Remi Imoehl and Maisie Imoehl. Beloved dog, Bear and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents; Edward (Pappy) and Amy Bruening. Step Mother: Leona Bruening. Siblings; Melvin Bruening, Rita Ott and Kenny Bruening. Sister in laws; Betty Bruening and Shirley Bruening. Son in law; Tim Schmitt. Bonus son; Troy Troge. Nieces; Jackie Ott and Trisha Duesel. Nephews; Craig Ott and Todd Bruening.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database

St. Bridget's Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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