Joel Gordon BREKKE

BREKKE, HENDERSON, MCGOWAN, LUING, MCDONALD, MANNETTER, GUSTAFSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/20/2016 at 18:23:50

September 22, 1946 ---- December 4, 2009

Joel G. Brekke, 63, formerly of Union, [Iowa] died in Truth or Consequences, N.M. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Joel was born on September 22, 1946, on a farm near Hubbard, the son of Orville and Pearl (Henderson) Brekke. He attended school near Alden, Popejoy Community School, and graduted from Union-Whitten High School in 1965. Following graduation he served in the U.S. Army with the 2nd Battalion, 18th Artillery, in Germany. In 1968, he was united in marriage to Jan McGowan at the Amity Church near Lincoln. Two children were born to this marriage, Jolene and Jade. Joel worked at Fisher Controls, Casebolt 66 Service in Gladbrook, and farmed northeast of Gladbrook. His family moved to Eagle, CO, in the early 80's. Following his divorce, Joel lived in Utah, Iowa and Texas, eventually settling in New Mexico, where he had resided since 1994. Joel was a masterful mechanic, often remembered for his talent of building anything with a motor. He was a straight-shooter who enjoyed socializing with people. He was lovingly known as "Java Joe" for his time spent chatting over a cup of coffee.

He was preceded in death by his father, Orville, in 1962, his mother, Pearl, in 1996, and a brother, Orlan, in infancy. Joel is survived by his daughter, Jolene, of Fort Collins, CO, and his son, Jade, of Severance, CO, eight brothers; Robert of Marshalltown, Richard (Gloria) of Pueblo, CO, Ron (Carla) of Pueblo, CO, Jerald (Peg) of Loveland, CO, Orville (Marilyn) of Gladbrook, Dennis (Dawn) of Union, Jack (Pat) of Eldora, and Dan of Eldora, four sisters; Joan Luing of Nevada, Joyce (Joe) McDonald of Kanawha, Janice (Jody) Mannetter of Hubbard, and Jean (Scott) Gustafson of Union, along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Times-Republican -- Marshalltown, IA
February 26, 2010