Francis Brummer (1922-2004)

BRUMMER

Posted By: Padriag
Date: 1/18/2005 at 13:58:52

Thursday, December 30, 2004

In Memory: Francis Brummer

Francis "Frank" H. Brummer, 82, died December 26 at Risen Son Christian Village.

He was born January 7, 1922, in Dunlap to Theodore and Mary (Grote) Brummer. He attended country school and was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps toward the end of the Great Depression before joining the U.S. Navy, where he served as a signalman and a .50 caliber machine gunner during World War II. After his time in the Navy, he spent three years with the Merchant Marines.

During his tour of duty, he kept a diary of his experiences which was published in 1982 in a book called "American Diaries of World War II" by Donald Vining. He was the recipient of many medals for his service.

After the war, he worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad for 33 years as a telegrapher and station agent. He was also an artist and cartoonist of such comic strips as "Haphazard" and "Frank & Mabel."

He was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church, the Mall of the Bluffs' "Mall Walkers" club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program. He traveled extensively and enjoyed the outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bernard, Fritz, Jerome "Red," and John; and Sisters, Ruth and Minnie.

Mr. Brummer and his wife, Mabel (Mackey) of Council Bluffs,, were married 55 years.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Monte Brummer and wife, Cheri, of Iowa City; two daughters, Marsha Grandick and husband, Mike, of Underwood and Rebecca Kougias and husband, Dan, of Missouri Valley; a brother, Vincent Brummer, and wife, Josephine, of Bellevue; seven grandchildren.

Visitation was held Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Perry Bishop of Glenwood and the Rev. Barb Jones of St. Mark's United Methodist Church officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

A private burial of ashes will be held at a later date in Woodbine Cemetery with military honors presented by American Legion Post No. 337.

Memorials may be offered to St. Mark's United Methodist Church or SOLAS.