John Boss Brokens May 8, 1928 – June 4, 2018


John Boss Brokens

John went to meet the Lord on June 4, 2018 in Carrollton, Texas at the age of 90. 

A celebration of his life will be held Friday, July 27, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Des Moines.

His final resting place will be next to his beloved wife Janice, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Monticello on July 28, 2018 at 1 p.m.

He is survived by his loving children Cynthia L. Cirksena (Brokens) and Stephen J. Brokens, six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.  All of whom he loved and deeply cherished.

He was the son of Fred and Agnes Brokens. John was born May 8, 1928 in Manchester, growing up in Eastern Iowa, building his first car in the corn crib, playing a mean game of basketball, and eventually graduating from Monticello Community High School in 1946. 

He proudly served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 13, 1951 to Jan. 23, 1954 attaining the rank of Sergeant.  Stationed in Europe, he flew back and on Christmas Day 1952, he married the love of his life, Janice Ruth Podhaski of Monticello at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  

After their return from Europe, John farmed near Monticello, worked at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids, managed B&G Automotive in Monticello, and was an active member of the American Legion.  They moved to Des Moines in 1973, where he was the administrator of the Vietnam Era Bonus program.  He later served as a Service Agent for the American Legion assisting Veterans with legal and medical issues.   They were active members of Christ Lutheran Church in Des Moines.

  After both retired, John and Janice moved from Des Moines to Carrollton, Texas to be closer to their daughter Cynthia and her family, where they quickly acclimated to the hot temperatures by going to John’s “Happy Place” on Cedar Creek lake where he would spend many hours on his boat, or on the deck of the boat house, fishing.

John enjoyed camping, fishing, woodworking, hunting and going to the lake.

John’s goal in life was to serve all Veterans and he attained that goal.      

His greatest joy was spending time with his family.

John will be forever loved and greatly missed by his family and numerous friends.

 

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