Reuben Jack Brenner, 93, formerly of Isabel, passed away at the Horizon Care Center in Eckert, CO on March 13, 2023.
Reuben was born on October 1, 1929 to William and Margaret (Huether) Brenner on a farm in Sioux County, ND, the 7th of 8 children. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1947, where he was very involved in Future Farmers of America. He farmed with his father until his marriage to Mary Lou Geiser on August 27, 1950.
They made their home on a farm southwest of McIntosh until purchasing a farm in 1963 and moving to Isabel, where they expanded their dairy farm and raised their children, Linda, Dianne and Curtis. Reuben and Mary Lou worked side by side many long hours to provide for their family.
Reuben committed his life to the Lord Jesus in 1949 and that decision impacted every aspect of his life from that point forward, faithfully attending church whenever the doors were open. He and Mary Lou were members of the Isabel Baptist Church and served there in various capacities.
After retiring from the dairy business, Reuben continued to serve by listening to Awana children recite
October 1, 1929 – March 13, 2023
their scripture memory verses.
When challenges with health necessitated a move to Cedaredge, CO in 2015, he was presented with a picture of all of his Awana kids.
Reuben’s greatest pleasures in life were visiting with family and friends, sharing meals around their table, and attending gospel music events wherever possible. He spent a great deal of time fishing for walleye and northern pike in South Dakota, but the trout of Colorado just didn’t hold much appeal for him.
After Mary Lou passed away in August 2020, Reuben’s life changed significantly. Many of his church family at Grand Mesa Baptist Church ministered to him in his loneliness, bringing meals, playing games, reading to him and playing music.
Reuben became a resident at Horizon Care Center in March 2021, where he completed his earthly journey. While challenges with his memory made conversation limited, he was always willing to sing hymns with whoever might visit him and he often sang to entertain himself. The family is comforted with the thought that he is now singing at the feet of Jesus.
Reuben is survived by his daughter, Dianne McCully of Cedaredge, CO; son-in-law, Nick Tranisi and wife, Barb of Omaha, NE; daughterin- law, Helane Brenner of Lampe, MO; five grandsons and nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Harvey Vilhauer, and wife Beverly of Baker, MT; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by all of his siblings, his wife Mary Lou, daughter Linda, son Curtis, and sonin-law Douglas McCully. A memorial service will take place in Isabel in June.
(Dianne McCully’s address is 16722 Primrose Ln., Cedaredge, CO 81413.)