Curtis Brandsmeier

Curtis Richard Brandsmeier, 73, of Waukon died Monday, August 20, 2018 at his home. A celebration of life service was held Friday, August 24 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Sam Houser officiating the service. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Curt was born July 17, 1945 in Waukon,  the son of Clarence and Ruth (Kehr) Brandsmeier. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ and  graduated from Waukon High School in 1963, during which time he participated in baseball, football and wrestling. Curt served in the National Guard from 1965-1966.

Curt married the love of his life, Jan Halverson, March 18, 1967 at First Presbyterian Church in Lansing. Together they raised two children, Kris and Brian, on their farmstead in Jefferson Township in rural Waukon.

Curt raised crops and milked cows from 1967 until 2004. No matter what kind of work he was doing on the farm, he could be seen smiling and heard whistling. After retiring from farming, Curt worked for the Allamakee Community School District as a custodian. He also worked as a security officer for the casino in Marquette. He really enjoyed working in jobs where he could chat and joke with co-workers.

Curt was a member of Zion United Church of Christ. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching sports, solving Sudoku puzzles and spending time with his grandkids. He also enjoyed traveling to California, Missouri, Colorado, Washington D.C., Ontario and Norway. No matter where Curt traveled, he would start up conversations with anyone around him; he didn’t want anyone to be a stranger. Curt was known by many people for being a caring, friendly and humorous person.

Survivors include his wife, Jan, of Waukon; a son, Brian (Sara) Brandsmeier of North Liberty; a daughter, Kris Butterbaugh of Mount Vernon; four grandchildren: Camden and Rylan Butterbaugh and Axel and Lumen Brandsmeier; two sisters: Shirley (Gordon) Steffenson of Waukon and Arlene (Fred) Klatt of Fayette; a brother, Bernard Brandsmeier of Austin, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Ruth (Rush) Brandsmeier; a brother, Frederick; and a son-in-law, Jeff Butterbaugh.

Honorary casketbearers were Randy and Linda (Carstens) Petersburg, Larry and Pam Dundee, Dave and Bobbi Hansmeier, Ron Herman, Duane and Marian Meier, John and Sheryl Prestemon, and Danny and Sue Schlitter. Casketbearers were Curt’s nieces and nephews.

Martin Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.