Wayne Harold Brouwer, 80

Wayne Harold Brouwer, age 80, of Aplington, was born the son of Harold and Kathryn (Ostercamp) Brouwer on October 10, 1944, at the DeBuhr Sister’s Maternity Home in Aplington, Iowa. Wayne graduated from Aplington Community School in 1962. He then attended Ellsworth Junior College from 1962 to 1963.

On December 11, 1964, Wayne was united in marriage with Marlene Ellen Mehmen. After their marriage, the couple resided in Kesley. Wayne farmed and in the winter months he worked for Smith Electric in Parkersburg. In 1966, Wayne and Marlene moved to a farm northwest of Aplington. They had a typical family farm with chickens, hogs and cattle. Later it became a farrow to finish hog operation. While farming, Wayne worked as a veterinarian assistant at the Aplington Sale Barn, He also worked at Walterman Implement and Allison Implement. In 1992, Wayne began working for Kruger Seed Company as a District Sales Manager. He retired from Kruger Seed in 2010. Wayne loved the challenge of a sale. He was proud of his dealers who were respected in their communities and their wives were all “good cooks”. In 1997, Wayne and Marlene moved to Parkersburg and experienced the tornado in 2008. The couple moved to assisted living at Maple Manor Village in December 2019. The days were long for Wayne because of his difficulties with his eyesight and the pandemic. In July 2021, Wayne became a resident of Maple Manor Nursing Home.

Wayne was a member of the First Reformed Church, Aplington Elderly Housing Board, the Aplington Recreation Complex Board, and the Butler County Pork Producers. He was on the Butler County ASC Committee and the Aplington Emergency Tech. Wayne was also an active member of the Aplington Jaycees. He held offices of president, local and state director, Region III Chaplin and Administrative Director of the Iowa Jaycees. He was a member of the National Jaycee Membership Team and traveled to various states promoting Jaycees. He was awarded various Jaycee honors and received the JCI Senatorship. Wayne enjoyed slow pitch softball, trapping, hunting and fishing. Many times, the back porch was full of the catch of the day. Wayne and Marlene enjoyed a honeymoon touring Herter’s World Famous Sport Store and later a trip to a honeymoon cabin in Lake Pokegama, Minnesota. The family made summer trips to Ball Club Lake, Minnesota, and Wayne and Marlene spent summers in their trailer in the Girl, Women Lake chain in Longville, Minnesota. He enjoyed touring the area, doing a little fishing and a lot of sitting on the screen porch watching the outdoors. Wayne enjoyed talking to the locals and having family and friends visit. 

Wayne died on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Maple Manor Nursing Home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Kathryn Brouwer; his parents-in-law, Jake and Flora Mehmen; his brothers-in-law, Derold and Kenneth Mehmen, David Thronson and David Roelfs; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Roelfs; a nephew, Eric Mehmen and a great nephew, Matthew Stawniak.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marlene; a daughter, Jill (Marlyn) Murra of Parkersburg; a son, Daniel (Shelby) Brouwer of Aplington; grandchildren, Brian Murra of Waukee, Sara (Nick) Craft of Collins, Hunter (fiancée, Alli) Brouwer of Denver and Jaxson Brouwer of Aplington; a brother, Steven (Sherry) of Urbandale; a sister, Ardelle (Hollis) Janssen of Ackley, a brother-in-law, Roland (Norma) Mehmen of Aplington; sisters-in-law, Betty Thronson of Ackley, Betty Mehmen (Lloyd Tatro) of Hastings, Nebraska, and Judy Mehmen of Aplington; and many nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service for Wayne will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, March 10, 2025, at First Reformed Church in Aplington, with Pastor Brandon Schipper officiating. The organist was Deb Fisher, and she accompanied the congregation as they sing “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged Cross”. Randy Aalderks provided special music as he sang “I Bowed On My Knees” and “The Touch of the Master’s Hand”. The burial was held at Pleasant View Cemetery in Aplington, with Wayne’s grandchildren, Brian Murra, Sara Craft, Hunter Brouwer and Jaxson Brouwer serving as Honorary Urnbearers.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, at First Reformed Church in Aplington. Memorials may be directed to the family. Redman Funeral & Cremation Services in Aplington was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com