Photo courtesy of Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Sioux Falls
Jan 12, 1978 - Jan 18, 2026 (Age 48)
We met Brook many years ago through Becky. We knew immediately that he was a wonderful man and a match for Becky, whom our family adored. Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. Brook has certainly earned his angel wings. Becky- may the love of friends and family, near and far, help you through this difficult time. We are thinking of you-now and always.
Chris, Sara, Cameron and Connor Eng
January 26, 2026 | Bryson City, NC
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Ryan Missy Hadley & Piper Forde
January 23, 2026 | Moorhead, MN | Family
Prayers and hugs all , from a cousin.
Theresa Lackey
January 23, 2026 | Davey, NE | Family
Brook's family. Dale and Rose Carman are extending our sympathy to you and your family. As we did not meet Brook we are sending our prayers and thoughts to you.
Dale is a retired fireman . May he rest in
RIP. Amen
Dale Carman
January 22, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
We are so very sorry for your loss. Your are in our prayers.
Ellen Arthur
January 22, 2026 | Stockton, MO | Friend
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Randy and Diane Andreasen
January 21, 2026 | Moorhead, MN | Family
Sorry to hear about Brook. Always remember the fishing trips to perham with Terry and Larry. God bless him.
Rob Evans
Rob Evans
January 21, 2026 | Perham, MN
We met Brook through our daughter She lined him up to put in French doors and back splash in our home. He was so kind, friendly and did an exceptional job! We are so glad we had the opportunity to meet him! God bless him! Prayers for you for strength, comfort and peace!
Peggy Goettsch Goettsch
January 20, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
Hello Van Gundy Family, I didn't know Brook but I am a friend of Ali Reidburn. Even though Brook and I didn't know each other personally, we are forever connected I too have ALS and I am 47! I am so sorry for your loss and having to go through this journey both for Brook as the patient, and you all as a family having to watch it. What a brave man! May God give you all strength during these next weeks months and years. I take comfort in knowing I will have an angel to greet me in heaven when I...
Becky Rybak
January 20, 2026 | Kimball, SD
Brook Mitchell Van Gundy, 48, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after a courageous battle with ALS. Brook faced every challenge with the same strength and quiet determination that defined his life, both on and off duty.
Brook was born on January 12, 1978, in Auburn, NE, to Terry and Lorry (Kruger) Van Gundy. He attended Sheridan Elementary, Auburn Middle School, and Auburn High School. After graduating, Brook pursued his talent for building by attending Southeast Community College in Milford, NE, where he earned a degree in building construction. His dedication to helping others soon led him to further his education at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, NE, where he studied fire protection. Equipped with both skill and purpose, Brook began his firefighting career in Sioux Falls, SD, in 2004, proudly serving his community until his retirement in 2023.
Brook devoted nearly two decades of his life to serving his community as a firefighter. His bravery, steady presence, and compassion earned him the respect of his fellow firefighters and the gratitude of countless families whose lives he touched. Brook’s passion for helping others extended far beyond the firehouse. He was also a skilled carpenter who took pride in building and fixing anything that could make someone’s day a little easier.Brook met the love of his life, Becky, in April of 2012. After many years filled with laughter and steadfast companionship, Brook proposed, and the two were married on June 11, 2022. Just 11 months into their marriage, they received Brook’s ALS diagnosis—a life-changing moment they faced with remarkable courage and unity. Determined to make the most of every day, Brook and Becky spent their time with family, traveling, fishing, and welcoming Brook’s new best friend, Hank, a French bulldog who quickly became a constant source of comfort. Hank brought immeasurable joy to their home and was a bright light throughout Brook and Becky’s ALS journey, offering companionship, strength, and warmth when it was needed most.
When Brook wasn’t working, the place he loved most was on the water, sitting in his boat with a pole in hand. He cherished every moment spent casting a line, especially during trips with his dad and nephews. Brook had a natural gift for patience and teaching, and nothing made him happier than showing his nieces and nephews how to fish, celebrating each catch as if it were his own.Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Becky; his parents, Terry and Lorry Van Gundy of Auburn, Nebraska; his sisters, Staci (Joe) Edgington of Seward, Nebraska, and Hannah (Terry) Jones of Brownville, Nebraska; and his brother-in-law, Brian (Aly) Davis of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Brook was a proud and loving uncle to his nieces and nephews: Kylie and Austen Edgington; Graycen, Griffin, and Finn Jones; Brayden, Grayson, and Loxley Davis and Norah, Clara and Ava Hill. He is also survived by his grandmother, Mary Kruger of Auburn, Nebraska, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends, and his firehouse family, who stood by him until the very end.
Brook was preceded in death by his grandparents, Al and Esther Van Gundy and Don Kruger, as well as his mother-in-law, Annette Davis.
Visitation will also be held at First Christian Reformed Church on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00pm.A Celebration of Life will be held at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 2:00pm. Memorials may be made to Ava’s Hospice House or Sioux Falls Firefighters Benevolent Foundation in honor of Brook’s dedication, courage, and compassion.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Ava’s Hospice House for the extraordinary care and tenderness they provided during Brook’s final days. Your compassion, strength, and kindness brought immense comfort to Brook and to all who loved him. You are truly angels on earth, and the family will be forever grateful.
We are thankful to the First Christian Reformed tech team for their assistance in providing virtual participation to watch the funeral service for Brook remotely. Please see the options below:
First CRC Memorials Livestream Links and Options
Streaming via First CRC website:https://firstchristianreformed.org/media/memorials/
Alt link direct to Vimeo site:https://vimeo.com/event/4194738
shortcut:https://rb.gy/ecsnq5
After the service, the memorial service may be viewed anytime on demand viaour website or at:https://vimeo.com/showcase/11045146
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