Obituary of Harold Brender

Harold J. Brender, age 87 died Thursday, November 24, 2005, in his home from complications of a stroke, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 28, 2005, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City with the Reverend Tim Zimmerman officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 2 to 5pm Sunday at Gay & Ciha Funeral Home in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Harold’s memory to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or Iowa City Hospice. Harold John Jacob Brender was born February 28, 1918, in Shellsburg, Iowa, the son of Gustave E. and Bertha (Bokorney) Brender. Following graduation from University High School in Iowa City in 1936 Harold enlisted in the National Guard. On December 6, 1943, he married June E. Larsen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Iowa City, and he continued to farm near Iowa City. Following this they moved to California for a short time, returning back to Iowa City where they have resided ever since. His life’s work has been as a carpenter in the carpenters union for fifty years.. Working as superintendent for Viggo Jensen Construction Company for thirty-two years, he was proud of his work on so many projects in the area, including work at the Old Capital, Lindquist Center, and the University Hospitals. In his work, he was known as “Honest Abe”, simply because of his work ethic and strong beliefs. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, member of the Labor Local 1260, had volunteered many hours at the Nerw Pioneer Coop, Weight Watchers and Visiting Nurses Association. The farm never left him; he enjoyed his gardening, the outdoors, and fishing while continuing his trade in carpentry, building and restoring for family and others. Harold’s family includes his wife, June; their children, Danny Brender and his wife, Tamie of Joplin, MO; David Brender and his wife, Marilyn of Milwaukee, WI; Barb Brender of Madison, WI; Tim Brender and his wife, Kristilyn of Madison, WI; four grandchildren, Jonathan Brender of Ester, Alaska; Nathan Brender of Joplin, MO; Nicole Brender of Madison, WI; Jacob Brender of Madison, WI; a sister, Patricia Johnson of Ames; and his beloved friend, his dog, Penny. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Alvin, Bill, and Ed Brender.