Obituary of Ronald Howard Brehmer

    Ronald Howard "Ron" Brehmer, son of John Merritte and Lucile Rose (Kunst) Brehmer, was born August 25, 1937 in Mankato, Minnesota. He spent his childhood in the Hartley, Iowa area where he received his education, graduating from Hartley High School on May 19, 1955.

    Following graduation, Ron served his country with the United States Navy, beginning in June of 1955. During his military career, he served aboard the USS Cochrane and the USS Brooke, earning the Viet Nam Service Medal, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medals, and a Letter of Commendation. He was honorably discharged in August of 1974 at Bremerton, Washington, having served over 19 years.

    During his time in active service, Ron was united in marriage to Marjorie Kay Gathman on June 22, 1968, at the United Methodist Church in Hartley, Iowa. Four children were born to this union: Mark, Sheila, Dan, and Jennifer.

    Once Ron retired from the military, the family returned to Hartley where Ron worked for the city for five years. He was then employed at Northwest Iowa Technical College located at Sheldon, Iowa as an instructor in the electronics department. He retired after nineteen years, which left him more time to do what he enjoyed most: gardening, gambling and get-away's to Hart Ranch camp grounds at Rapid City, South Dakota. He never missed an opportunity to be outdoors, and the experience was only made better when shared with his family.

    Ron passed from this life on April 1, 2018 at Spencer, Iowa at the age of 80 years. Preceding him in death were his parents, John Brehmer and Lucile Leth; three brothers: Jack Brehmer, Ray Brehmer, Terry Leth; sister-in-law, Carol Leth; and brother-in-law, Alvin Steffens.

    Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 49 years, Marge Brehmer of Spencer, Iowa; his children and spouses: Mark (Julie) Brehmer, Sheila (Terry) Aldrich, Dan (Joni) Brehmer all of Spencer, Iowa, and Jennifer (Brady) Westphal of Hartley, Iowa; grandchildren: Scott (Amy). Jackie (Tyler), Devin, Melissa (Matt), Ryan (Ashley), Ceselie (Josh). Kyle (Brandee), Jarod, Jeff (Brandi), Jenni, Nathan, and Ashley; 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Sally Steffens; three brothers: Dennis (Joanne) Leth, Richard Leth, and Jerry (Susan) Leth; sisters-in-law, Pam Leth and Elaine Brehmer; sister and brother-in-law, Georgia (Robert) Jensen; many other family members and a host of friends.

Celebration of Life

Ronald H. Brehmer

Born ~ August 25, 1937 

Died ~ April 1, 2018

Age ~ 80 years    7 months    6 days 

Funeral Service

Thursday, April 5, 2018

10:30 a.m.

Hartley Funeral Home Chapel

Hartley, Iowa

Clergy ~ Rev. Marvin Lindley

Special Music

"If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away"

"Broken Halos"

"Amazing Grace"

"I Will Rise"

Pallbearers

Ryan Brehmer     Devin Brehmer     Ceselie Rittenhouse

Josh Rittenhouse     Nathan Westphal     Ashley Westphal

Kyle Pratt     Brad Leth     Josh Leth

Honorary Pallbearers

Ron's Great-Grandchildren    

Military Graveside Rites

Arthur W. Kirchhoff Post #288

Hartley, Iowa

Interment

Pleasant View Cemetery

Hartley, Iowa