Obituaries : Jerald Roland “Butch” Brunssen

Jerald Roland “Butch” Brunssen, age 82, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026. He was born on July 2, 1943, in Davenport, Iowa, to Roland and Elnora (Anders) Brunssen.  He was the 4th child of 11 children.

A memorial visitation will be held at a later date at Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton.  Interment for both Carol and Butch will be held at the Keystone Cemetery with Graveside Military Rites.

Shortly after he was born, the family moved to a farm in the Van Horne/Keystone area where he enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sisters.  He attended Van Horne HS, where he enjoyed playing on the baseball team.  Directly after graduating in the Class of 1961, he joined The United States Marine Corp.   

Always a proud United States Marine, he served his country honorably from 1962 to 1966 during the Vietnam conflict. Being a Marine was not simply a chapter in his life, it was core to who he was. He lived the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment every day, never preaching them, but demonstrating them through his actions. Those values shaped his character and were passed on to his family by the way he lived his life.

After returning home from service, he met Carol Wardenburg. They were married on November 25, 1967, and shared 52 years of marriage before Carol preceded him in death in 2020. He spoke often of Carol after her passing, sharing stories of her kindness and the special ways she loved and spoiled her family. Their life together was a source of deep joy and remained close to his heart until the end. Together, they raised two sons, Vincent and Matthew. He was a man of strong faith, and ensured that his sons were baptized, raised in the Lutheran faith, and confirmed, laying a foundation of belief and values that guided them throughout their lives.

In the 1970s and 1980s, he developed a hobby for restoring antique tractors. He restored several and, along with a group of friends, helped found the Eastern Iowa Antique Tractor Pullers Association. Tractor pulls became a regular family tradition, with many weekends spent traveling across Iowa together.

Also, during the 80’s and 90’s he owned and operated JRB Painting, leaving many farmsteads throughout Benton County and surrounding areas looking better because of his hard work. At the same time, he continued farming the land he had grown up on. He took great pride in caring for the land and producing crops that fed others. Even after retiring from farming, he never truly stopped, continuing to help a local farmer with planting and harvesting well into his 70’s.

He shared his passion for golf with his sons teaching both of them to play and creating many lasting memories on the course. Golf brought him camaraderie and friendship, particularly during Tuesday men’s days filled with friendly competition, good-natured teasing, and the occasional exchange of a few quarters. Those friendships often extended beyond the course through card games and shared laughter.  His love for cards didn’t stop there.  He and Carol enjoyed time together at Meskwaki Casino in Tama where they played slots and blackjack.  Even after Carol passed away he continued to play blackjack on many a Sunday afternoon enjoying that memory and every once in a while going home a winner.

Those who knew him well understood that while he could have a tough exterior, he possessed a deeply kind and generous heart. Later in life, that gentle side became especially visible through his love of painting. He painted countless rocks, butterflies, birds, and barn quilts, often keeping one nearby so he could give it away. These small gifts were his quiet way of showing love, sharing encouragement, and bringing a smile to others.

He especially treasured the time he spent painting with his grandchildren. He patiently taught his four granddaughters and grandson how to paint, sitting alongside them as they worked on rocks or painted birds and butterflies together. He was immensely proud of all his grandchildren and the people they were becoming and spoke often of their character, accomplishments, and the paths they were forging in life.

One of the proudest moments of his life was traveling on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Unable to choose between his two sons, he selected his grandson to accompany him as his guardian. It was an experience he cherished deeply and spoke about often, especially the long-awaited welcome home that he and so many Vietnam-era veterans finally received. Sharing that moment with his grandson made it even more meaningful.

He will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a Marine, a farmer, a painter, and a man whose legacy lives on in the values he quietly and faithfully lived every day.

He is survived by his sons Vincent (Kimberly), Matthew (partner Sandra), Grandchildren Jessica, Jonathan, Alesha, Nicole, and Kassidi.  He also leaves behind siblings Shirley, Sherman, Bonnie, Sandra, Gary, Rick, and Patricia and many in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Elnora Brunssen, his wife Carol and their infant son Brian, brothers Roger, Larry, and sister Karen (Gerleman) and many other beloved family members.

Online Condolences:  www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com