Obituary of Edwin Brouwer

Memorial Tribute Edwin Willis Brouwer, son of Gerard J. and Bertha (Boerhave) Brouwer, was born on December 10, 1929 at Hospers, IA. He attended country school near Sheldon, IA and graduated from Sheldon High School with the class of 1948. After graduation, Ed continued helping his Dad on the family farm near Sheldon. On January 24, 1951, Ed was united in marriage to Trudy Bosma at Sheldon, IA. In September of the same year, during the Korean Conflict, he joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA. After his honorable discharge, Ed returned home and he and Trudy began farming near Primghar, IA. In 1958, they purchased a 160-acre farm between Sanborn, IA and Sheldon where they continued with row crops and livestock. Ed was a member of First Reformed Church in Sanborn where he taught Sunday School, and served as deacon and elder for the congregation. He was also the Chaplin of the Earl T. Conaway American Legion Post #318 in Sanborn, of which he was a long-time member. For many years, Ed was a very active member of the Gideons. Ed was employed part-time at the ASC office in Primghar for 10 years as Compliance Supervisor. He was then appointed O'Brien County Assessor for 23 years; renting out the farm ground, but always keeping the nurse-herd of Angus cattle. Ed and Trudy retired in 1998, moving to the town of Sanborn in 2011. In the summer months, Ed spent his free time with his pole in the water, looking forward to the yearly fishing trip with his sons and grandson. In the winter, he and Trudy relocated to the warmer Arizona climate until spring. Ed passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at the age of 85. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Donald Brouwer; and granddaughter, Miranda Brouwer. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years, Trudy of Sanborn, IA; children: Cindy, and her husband, Dave Massie of Payson, AZ, and daughter, Amanda Bullmann and boyfriend, Kyle Doody of Las Cruces, NM, Greg, and his wife, Gladys, and son, Ethan of Garner, IA, Scott, and his wife, Janet of Sac City, IA, and daughters: Jenny and boyfriend, Anthony Allen of Storm Lake, IA, and Sarah of Sac City, IA; sister, Rolene, and her husband, Ray Breed of Omaha, NE; other relatives and many friends. Celebration of Life Edwin W. Brouwer Born ~ December 10, 1929 Died ~ August 4, 2015 Age ~ 85 years 7 months 25 days Funeral Service Saturday, August 8, 2015 ~ 10:30 a.m. First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Paul Van Maaren Organist ~ Carol Wiekamp Musical Tribute Harriet Van Veldhuizen and Jeane Van Veldhuizen "Remind Me Dear Lord" "What A Day That Will Be" Congregational Singing "In The Garden" "Amazing Grace" "I'll Fly Away" Pallbearers Ethan Brouwer Mike Brouwer Jason Noteboom Brent Noteboom Shane Sybesma Dave Grooters Ushers Ray Schnurr ~ Glenn Grooters Military Rites Sanborn American Legion Earl T. Conaway Post #318 Interment East Lawn Cemetery Sheldon, Iowa