Ronald L. Brus

Ronald L. Brus, age 86 years, 5 months, and 1 day, of Irwin, Iowa, passed away at Friendship Home in Audubon on August 15, 2026.

Ronald was born on March 14, 1940, to LeRoy and Lucille (Campbell) Brus in Carroll, Iowa. He attended country school through the eighth grade before attending Manning High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1958. He joined the National Guard in February 1958 and served through January 1966. During his service, he served as a gunner and drove trucks that pulled the howitzer to the battlefield. He obtained the rank of Sergeant during his time with the National Guard.

In 1961, Ron met Carol Beck, and on September 8, 1962, they were united in marriage. Three children were born to this union: Teresa in 1964, Kevin a year later, and Duane five years after that. Ronald was a family man who was always supportive of his children. He attended their Little League games and even umpired a few. He never missed a game and loved spending time with his children. He took them camping and fishing, which were some of his favorite pastimes.

Ron was a steward of the land and farmed for many years with his father, other farmers, and on his own. He also worked at an implement dealership before working for Shelby County as a road maintainer for 22 years, retiring from that position. After retirement, he spent his summers with his wife at Prairie Rose State Park, where he volunteered for 15 years and became a member of the Friends of Prairie Rose State Park. Ron and his wife enjoyed camping for 40 years.

He was truly a man of many talents. Ron loved taking his wife dancing. As his children grew, he spent more time gardening and woodworking. During his life, he remodeled five kitchens, made 25 toy trucks, and built a porch swing. He volunteered at the Greenridge Gas and Steam Engine Show, where his specialty was showcasing the stationary wire-tie baler. During the winters, he and his wife traveled to Pharr, Texas, for many years until traveling became too difficult.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Carol; daughter, Teresa, of Akron, Iowa; son, Kevin (Janet), of Manilla, Iowa; and son, Duane (Laura), of Cincinnati, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Chris and Matt Murphy of Akron, Iowa; Collin (Dani) Brus of Wall Lake, Iowa; Emily (Zach) Shuck of Martinsville, Missouri; and Jonathan, Jenna, Bridget, Addison, and Dillon of Cincinnati, Ohio; sisters, Dorthea Hubble of Weslaco, Texas, and Marilyn Garnett of Mesa, Arizona; brothers-in-law, Gerald Beck of Manning, Iowa, and Stanley (Zoy) Beck of Mooresville, Indiana; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Lucille Brus; parents-in-law, Donald and Dorothy Beck; brother-in-law, Dean Garnett; sister-in-law, Rita Beck; and son-in-law, Brian Murphy.

Visitation with family greeting friends will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., also at Zion Lutheran Church. Inurnment will follow in the Manning Cemetery.