Ralph Francis Brenneman
February 6, 1932 — February 12, 2008
Ralph Francis Brenneman, 76, of 1915 McGowan Blvd., Marion, died Tuesday, February 12, 2008, in his home following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2008, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Dr. T. Edwards Breed, Vicor Patricia Volberding and Father Paul Fuessel. Visitation will be from 4 ?" 7 p.m. Friday at
the church and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion. Arrangements are with Murdoch Funeral Home &
Cremation Center in Marion.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra; his children, Brad Brenneman (Gina) of Cedar Rapids, Lisa Excell (Doug) of Overland Park, Kansas, Scott Brenneman (Karen) of Cedar Rapids, Erin Evans (Dan) of Marion and R. David Brenneman (Debra) of Central City; and fourteen grandchildren, Eric Brenneman, Nicole Evans, Russell Sherman, Greg Brenneman, Megan Brenneman, Ashley Evans, Grant Brenneman, Anne Brenneman, Josh Excell, Bryce Brenneman, Casandra Brenneman, Dawn (Aaron) Balderston, Danette Becker and Alex Ralston.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and one sister.
Ralph was born February 6, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Ernest and Mary (Webster) Brenneman. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and taught future pilots at the United States Electonics Training Center from 1951 ?" 1953. On December 10, 1955, he was united in marriage to Sandra Matthews.
From 1954-59, he was a buyer at Collins Radio Company; from 1959-63, he was assistant manager at Deeco Inc.; from 1963-73, he was purchasing manager at Collins Radio Company. Then in 1973, he founded Brenneman & Associates Inc.
Ralph was a charter member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church and had served as president of Churches United. He was a past member of the executive committee and chairman of the joint purchasing committee for Lutheran Interparish Ministry; chairman of the task force for auxiliary funding of Lutheran Family Service; a member of Iowa Synod and Lutheran Church in America; and was a benevolence representative. He was also a member of Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; American Association of Small Businessmen; and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
Ralph was the original founder of the soup kitchen at Immaculate Conception school and operated it for three years until his health complications caused it to disband. He was also active with the Lending Closet for Grace Episcopal Church, which provides durable medical goods for those in need.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt love and thanks to Dr. David Zenk, Dr. James Boddicker, Dr. M. Naser Payvandi, Dr. Charles Pruchno, the staff at Mercy Medical Center Oncology, loving, caring family, neighbors and friends, Mercy Hospice, The Rev. Dr. T. Edwards Breed, Vicor Patricia Volberding, Father Paul Fuessel and all the faithful servants of God who helped Ralph and Sandra on this journey.
A memorial fund has been established for St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 4420 Center Point Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids IA 52402, or Mercy Medical Center Oncology, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids IA 52403.
Military rites will be provided by Marion American Legion Post 298.
the church and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion. Arrangements are with Murdoch Funeral Home &
Cremation Center in Marion.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra; his children, Brad Brenneman (Gina) of Cedar Rapids, Lisa Excell (Doug) of Overland Park, Kansas, Scott Brenneman (Karen) of Cedar Rapids, Erin Evans (Dan) of Marion and R. David Brenneman (Debra) of Central City; and fourteen grandchildren, Eric Brenneman, Nicole Evans, Russell Sherman, Greg Brenneman, Megan Brenneman, Ashley Evans, Grant Brenneman, Anne Brenneman, Josh Excell, Bryce Brenneman, Casandra Brenneman, Dawn (Aaron) Balderston, Danette Becker and Alex Ralston.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and one sister.
Ralph was born February 6, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Ernest and Mary (Webster) Brenneman. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and taught future pilots at the United States Electonics Training Center from 1951 ?" 1953. On December 10, 1955, he was united in marriage to Sandra Matthews.
From 1954-59, he was a buyer at Collins Radio Company; from 1959-63, he was assistant manager at Deeco Inc.; from 1963-73, he was purchasing manager at Collins Radio Company. Then in 1973, he founded Brenneman & Associates Inc.
Ralph was a charter member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church and had served as president of Churches United. He was a past member of the executive committee and chairman of the joint purchasing committee for Lutheran Interparish Ministry; chairman of the task force for auxiliary funding of Lutheran Family Service; a member of Iowa Synod and Lutheran Church in America; and was a benevolence representative. He was also a member of Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; American Association of Small Businessmen; and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
Ralph was the original founder of the soup kitchen at Immaculate Conception school and operated it for three years until his health complications caused it to disband. He was also active with the Lending Closet for Grace Episcopal Church, which provides durable medical goods for those in need.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt love and thanks to Dr. David Zenk, Dr. James Boddicker, Dr. M. Naser Payvandi, Dr. Charles Pruchno, the staff at Mercy Medical Center Oncology, loving, caring family, neighbors and friends, Mercy Hospice, The Rev. Dr. T. Edwards Breed, Vicor Patricia Volberding, Father Paul Fuessel and all the faithful servants of God who helped Ralph and Sandra on this journey.
A memorial fund has been established for St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 4420 Center Point Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids IA 52402, or Mercy Medical Center Oncology, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids IA 52403.
Military rites will be provided by Marion American Legion Post 298.
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