In Memory of Roger M Bresnahan

Roger M. Bresnahan, age 76, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 5:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00p.m.on Friday, December 19, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com  

Roger Marvin Bresnahan was born June 8, 1938 in Ida Grove, Iowa to Raymond & Hilda (Ullrich) Bresnahan.  Roger attended Ida Grove Community Schools and graduated in 1957. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard and was honorably discharged due to the loss of his left arm in a farm accident.  Upon graduating high school, Roger attended National Business Training School in Sioux City, Iowa.

He married Sharon Husted in 1962. To this union two children were born, Trisha and Jayme. In 1963, he went into business for himself, subsequently owning and operating a service station in Ida Grove for the next 35 years. He was an independent individual and appreciated being his own boss.

The old adage “you can take the boy off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the boy” definitely applied to Roger. He spent his later years living on the Bresnahan Family farm tending to the maintenance of the grounds and out buildings. He took satisfaction in completing the tasks that presented themselves associated with keeping the 122 year old Century Farm up and in good order.

Roger had an affinity for vintage International Harvester tractors and owned several. Making sure they were in top running condition was a priority throughout his life, especially in retirement. While some would consider it a chore, Roger enjoyed operating the machinery moving snow, simply mowing and raking hay, as well as showing the tractors off in local parades.

Survivors include a daughter, Trisha (Von) McCormick of Ida Grove, Iowa; son, Jayme Bresnahan of Johnston, Iowa; grandchildren, Megan McCormick (fiancé Nolan Lisac) of Waukee, Iowa; Elle McCormick of Ida Grove, Iowa; Beau McCormick of Ida Grove, Iowa; special friend, Pat Tull of Ida Grove, Iowa; sisters, Agnes Beers of Arthur, Iowa; Carol Bresnahan (Pryor Shaughnessy) of Denver, Colorado; Linda Bresnahan of New York, New York; brothers, Richard Bresnahan of Sioux City, Iowa;  John Bresnahan of Des Moines, Iowa; Don (Marilyn) Bresnahan of Greendale, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Priscilla Bresnahan of Ida Grove, Iowa; Theresa Bresnahan of Ida Grove, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Hilda Bresnahan; brothers, Robert and Leonard Bresnahan; sisters-in-law, Barbara Bresnahan and Gloria Bresnahan; brothers-in-law, Burdette Beers and Joseph Druffel.