Donald Eugene Brees 1935-2012

BREES QUINNETTE JOHNSTON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/24/2012 at 22:04:15

Sioux City Journal
May 19, 2012

SIOUX CITY | Donald Eugene Brees, 77, of Sioux City, formerly of Albia, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Countryside Senior Living in Sioux City.

Services will be 1 p.m. today at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. Burial will be in Oak View Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.tharpfh.com.

Donald was born on March 8, 1935, to Clell and Winnie (Quinnette) Brees, in Knoxville, Iowa. He married Judith Johnston on March 31, 1956, in Unionville, Mo.

A graduate of Albia High School, class of 1952, Donald was in the engineer reserves for nine years during high school and after. He owned and operated Goode Elevators in Centerville, Iowa, and was also a member of the Appanoose County Sherriff’s Posse. On the weekends, Donald would break and shoe horses. He also was very proud to have painted the original depth levels on the Rathbun Lake dam tower. After moving to Sioux City at the age of 50, Donald earned his degree in mechanical engineering at Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Donald spent many weekends traveling from one horse show to the next, including the American Royal in Kansas City and Aksarben in Omaha. He was a member of the Cincinnati Roping Club.

After living in Sioux City, Donald and Judy sold their home and traveled in their motor home for 12 years. Their favorite thing to do while traveling was stopping at antique shows throughout the South. He enjoyed his horses, gun collection, and especially his grandkids. Donald also loved the outdoors, taking care of his yard, and planting red cannas every year.

Donald is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy of Sioux City; children, Kelley Brees of Sioux City, and Jenna (Jamie) Stoltze of Sergeant Bluff; grandchildren, Holly (Cory) Corcoran, Haley Brees, Tyler Stoltze, and Trevor Stoltze; and siblings, Bev Summers, Kaye Betz, Gerald Brees, and David Brees.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Brees; a brother, Johnny Brees; a sister, Judy Crouse; a niece, Sherry Henderson; a nephew, James Crouse; and a daughter-in-law, Suzy Brees.

Memorials may be directed to Care Initiatives Hospice.