BRIAN PHILLIP REISER

Brian Phillip Reiser was born in Denison, Iowa, June 25, 1961, the son of Joseph Gerhard and Virginia Ann Munchrath Reiser. He was raised on the farm near Denison and was baptized, received his first communion and was confirmed at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. He received his education in the Denison Schools from which he graduated high school with the class of 1979.

Following high school Brian moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he received his Social Services and Pharmacy Tech training from Des Moines Area Community College. He later also received training to become a Certified Nurses Aid. For many years Brian was employed with Lutheran Social Services in Des Moines caring for individuals in group homes and later at the Story County Medical Center in Nevada. In 2009, he became a Med Aid at Regency Care Center in Norwalk, Iowa, where he met his future wife, Brendalin.

Brian was united in marriage with Brendalin Miller McCarthy October 19, 2013, in Carlisle, Iowa. They made their home in Des Moines and continued their employment at Regency Care Center in Norwalk.

Brian will be remembered by family and care workers as a very dedicated and compassionate caretaker, always going the extra mile, staying late or going in on his days off to see that the residents were well cared for. He received many awards for his volunteerism in the groups and organizations he felt passionately about, including Key Club and the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines.

His leisure hours were spent enjoying music, playing his guitar and singing, vegetable and flower gardening, cooking, especially grilling, classic cars and reading about them, and collecting Hot Wheels and Mickey Mouse Memorabilia.

Brian died unexpectedly early Saturday morning, May 10, 2014, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 52 years, 10 months and 15 days. In death, Brian continued his compassionate and giving ways as an organ donor.

Brian was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Ann Reiser and four brothers: Freddy, Billy, Dean and Paul Reiser.

Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife, Brendalin Reiser of Des Moines, Iowa, two step-children, Jeffrey MaCarthy and Sierra McCarthy of Des Moines, Iowa, his father, Joseph Reiser of Carroll, Iowa, 8 siblings: Glenda and husband Vincent Mahaney and Gerard Reiser of Denison, Iowa, Dennis J. Reiser and wife Dawn and Janet K. Reiser of Carroll, Iowa, Kevin L. Reiser of Bakersfield, California, Dr. Daniel E. Reiser and wife Meghan of Dayton, Ohio, Annette and husband Robert Lehmann of Ames, Iowa, and Allan M. Reiser of Denison, Iowa, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2014, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Others participating in the Mass included Servers: Katie and Sarah Russell; Lector: Meredith Lehmann; Gift Bearers: Ben Lehmann and Janet Reiser; and Eucharistic Minister: Dianne Bruck. Music for the mass was provided by St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing: "Morning Has Broken", "Amazing Grace", "On Eagle's Wings" and "How Great Thou Art" with Jean Cornelius serving as accompanist. Inurnment was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Following the inurnment everyone was cordially invited to join the family at St. Rose of Lima Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com, Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.