Howard Lee Brandes

        Howard Lee Brandes, 76, of Sioux Center, IA died Friday, July 8, 2022 at Sioux Center Health.

     A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at the Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA with the Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. The interment with Military honors will precede the Memorial Service at 10AM at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center. There will be a Prayer Service at 9:45AM at the Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Tuesday July 12^th at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center, with the family present.

         Howard Lee Brandes was born to Frederick and Cornelia (De Groot) Brandes in Sioux Center, IA, on January 2, 1946.  He attended the Sioux Center Christian School and Sioux Center Community High School, where he graduated in 1963.  After graduation he followed in his father’s footsteps as a printer, then served in the Army from November of 1965 - Nov. 1967, 10 months of which was served in Vietnam.

     Howard was united in marriage to Jean Compaan on February 16, 1968, in Sioux Center, where they raised their family and he became a businessman, first as an auto detailer and later as a painter.

     Howard had a deep love for his country and pride in his military service and was a member of both the local American Legion and VFW posts, serving as post, county and district commander. He and his wife also served on the planning committee for the Sioux Center Area Veterans Memorial.

     Howard was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman, and devoted to passing it on to future generations through his service as a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor from 1983 until his death; in 1991 he was awarded a Governor’s Volunteer Award for his service. He was also a charter member of the Sioux County Sportsman’s Club and was awarded the Legendary Sportsmen’s Award in 2007.

     As a member of Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Howard enjoyed the fellowship of the church family, many of whom were business and/or sportsmen-related friendships he treasured.

     Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jean; children Brad (Erin) of Niles, Michigan; Becky of Sioux Falls, SD and her son Brian of Onawa, Iowa; Brenda (Doug) Van Beek of Harrisburg, SD and their sons Robert and Matthew; brothers Hank (Sue) of Elizabeth, CO; Larry (Lori) of Orange City, IA; Curt (Karen) of Canton, SD; and half-sister Lisa (Terry) Hodgsen of LeMars, IA; in-laws Rod (Marlene) Compaan of Sioux Falls; Wynetta (Wimp) Van De Berg of Sioux Center; Anthony (Carol) of Jacksonville, FL; Norlyn (Cheryl) of Holland, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews.

     Preceding him in death were an infant son, Bryan, his parents, his sister Velma and brother Fred.

The family prefers memorial gifts to Midwest Honor Flight, Sioux Center Wreaths Across America, the Prairie Woods Nature Center (Sioux County Conservation Board) or Inspiration Hills.

Blessed be the Memory of Howard Lee Brandes.