Donald Bremer

Donald Bremer, age 95 of Ocheyedan, Iowa passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 7, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church rural Ocheyedan, IA, with Reverend Richard Milbrandt officiating.

Burial will follow in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.

 Visitation with the family present will be held on Thursday, February 6th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Ocheyedan, IA.

 Donald Conrad Bremer was born April 8, 1929, during a blizzard on his family farm in Horton Township, Ocheyedan, IA. He was the son of Edward and Adele (Ostermann) Bremer. Don grew up on his family’s farm and attended the Lonestar Country School from kindergarten to 4th grade. He then attended Zion Lutheran School from 5-8th grade, and graduated Salutatorian from Ocheyedan High School in 1948. 

After high school Don joined his dad and brother Alvin on the family farm. He loved being a farmer and passed on the love of the land to his children and grandchildren. 

 Donald was united in marriage to Marian Janssen on June 22, 1958, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda, Minnesota. They made their home on the family farm until 2000 when he and Marian moved to Ocheyedan. In 2012, Marian passed away after 54 years of marriage. He continued to live in their home until his death. This was made possible through special assistance and caregiving provided by Sue Dirks and Megan Loerts, who he affectionately referred to as “His Ladies”. 

Don was a lifelong active member of Zion Lutheran Church where he served in many capacities on boards or elected positions beginning at age nineteen. He also served on the United Community Bank Board and Farmers Mutual Insurance Board for many years. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and raising Quarter Horses. Don and Marian often would go square dancing and were members of the Turkey Trotters Square Dancing Club for many years. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He was a kind man with a quick wit, who enjoyed sharing a clever joke or story to share joy and laughter. 

He is survived by his children, Mark (Jodi) Bremer of Ocheyedan and Wendy (Kerry) Stonestreet of Shawnee, KS; four grandchildren, Tristen, Jaydee, and Christopher Bremer of Ocheyedan and Philip Buchman of Overland Park, KS; sisters-in-law, Delores Janssen and Sharie Jasper; brother-in-law, Loren Janssen and many nieces and nephews.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Marian; parents, Edward and Adele; sister, Arlene Range and husband Donald; brother, Alvin Bremer and wife Marge; brothers-in-law, Arliss Janssen, Leslie Janssen, and Ron Jasper.