In Memory of Verdean E. Bremer

Verdean E.  Bremer, age 92, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones at his residence of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Reverend Luann Benge will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Dessel Schmidt Post # 225 of American Legion of Holstein, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Verdean was born September 22, 1930, on a farm west of Holstein, Iowa, to William and Thelma (Madsen) Bremer. Verdean grew up on the farm and attended country school for the first eight years of his education. He graduated from Holstein High School with the class of 1948. During this time, Verdean worked on the family farm for his dad.

On March 20, 1951, Verdean was drafted into the United States Army and traveled to Fort Riley, Kansas, to attend basic training. After returning home from basic training, Verdean was united in marriage to Theone Ehrp on July 15, 1951. Six days later he was sent to Korea and served for a year. Upon his return home Verdean served in White Sands, New Mexico until he was honorably discharged on December 22, 1952. After his service in the Army, Verdean spent time farming and raising his four sons, Jeff, Steve, Mike and Corey, on the family farm.

Verdean became a Scoutmaster for twelve years in the Boy Scouts and was proud to help fifteen young men obtain their Eagle Award. In 1973 he was a leader for the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Idaho. He was very active in his community, serving two terms on the Holstein elevator board, two terms on the Ida-Crawford insurance board, serving on the church board in many positions, and teaching Sunday school. Verdean enjoyed traveling (he went to all but four of states in the U.S.), going to dances, playing cards, and eating out. He also enjoyed hunting and playing fast-pitch softball.

In 1983 he retired from farming and relocated to Ida Grove, Iowa. He worked at Ida Grove Roofing for eleven years before a shoulder replacement forced him into retirement. Verdean then drove the Siouxland Transit bus for ten years.

An active member of the Holstein American Legion for 60 years, Verdean served as a past commander and chaplain. He received his lifetime membership award surrounded by family and friends. During this celebration he received an honor quilt, which was a wonderful surprise.

Other special moments for Verdean include: going on the Freedom Flight to Washington D.C.; five years sharing about his time serving in Korea with the high school history class in Holstein; a trip to Fort Rucker, Alabama to pin his grandson Trevor’s helicopter wings; rendering his grandson Jordan’s first salute as a newly commissioned officer; and enjoying time with Jeff’s best friend from the Navy, L.V. Golson, whom he considered an adopted son.

Verdean was blessed to have been married to two wonderful women. He was married to Theone for 61 ½ years until her passing on December 27, 2012. He then married Shirley Paulsen on April 11, 2015. They shared 7 ½ years together before Verdean’s passing on November 24, 2022.

Survivors include his wife Shirley Bremer of Ida Grove, IA; sons: Jeff (Dawn) Bremer of Grimes, IA, Steve Bremer of Urbandale, IA, Mike (Karen) Bremer of Holstein, IA, Corey (Diane) Bremer of Ida Grove, IA; “Adopted” son L.V. (Kim) Golson of Pensacola, FL; Shirley’s children: Julie (Rod) Marron of Holstein, IA, Deanna (Scott) Cranston of Ida Grove, IA and son-in-law Ron (Jenny) Sorensen of Odebolt, IA; grandchildren: Trevor (Tracy) Bremer of Carriere, MS, Rochelle (Joe) Klootwyk of Pleasantville, IA, Jared (Jennifer) Bremer of Des Moines, IA, Kendra Bremer of Austin, TX, Amanda (Josh) Arnold of Lawrence, KS, Myka (Lance) Ploeger of Holstein, IA, Jesse (Jordan) Bremer of Holstein, IA, Jordan Bremer of Raleigh, NC, Camron (Mallory) Bremer of Carroll, IA, Kirstyn (Jonny) Pryor of Moorehead, IA, Shelby (Matt) Mescher of Carroll, IA, Danielle Cranston of Ida Grove, IA, Presley Cranston of Ida Grove, IA, Ryder Cranston attending UNI in Cedar Falls, IA, Brodie Cranston of Ida Grove, IA, Brenna (Drew) Stuhrenberg of Odebolt, IA, Hannah Sorensen of Iowa City, IA, Taylor Sorensen of Iowa City, IA, Brayden Sorensen of Ankeny, IA, Jesse (Tiffany) Sorensen of Iowa City, IA, Tyler (Kristina) Albers of Holstein, IA, Ashley (Jeremy) Fowler of Cherokee, IA, Levi Albers of Holstein, IA, Holly Burk of Lee’s Summit, MO, Chelsea (Jeff) Betts of Iowa City, IA and Josh (Chambray) Burk of Boone, IA; great grandchildren: Deagan and Kinley Bremer, Lukas, Cash, Liv, Nieco, Bella, Cam, Josh, and Natalie Klootwyk, Hudson and Braxton Bremer, Reid Vogt, Alexis, Casee and Walter Ploeger, Benelli and Citori Bremer, Decklan and Quinn Marie Bremer, Lyrik and Maverick Pryor, Luka Stuhrenberg, Archer and Sloan Mescher, Charley Sorensen, Joe, James, Sharolette, Sariah, and Shanelle Fowler, Helo Sievers, and Ronan Betts; dear friend Ramon (Ginny) Johnson ; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Thelma Bremer, first wife Theone Bremer, sister Darlene Long, granddaughter Sabrina Bremer, and Shirley’s daughter Sharon Sorenesen.