Joanne Brueck

Joanne Elise (Wanberg) Brueck, 91 years old, peacefully passed away on June 9, 2021 at home in Storm Lake, Iowa. Memorial services will be held at a later date. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Born September 17, 1929 on the family farm Northwest of Galva, Iowa, she was the second child of Elmer “Tollie” Wanberg and Vera (Clapsaddle) Wanberg. Joanne graduated from Galva High School in 1947, was accepted into the undergraduate music program at Drake University and attended two years. She married David A. Brueck on December 4, 1949 at the Galva United Methodist Church. They farmed the Brueck home farm Southeast of Battle Creek and later a farm at Washta, Iowa. They then moved to Arizona in 1960. Joanne and her family lived in Texas, Colorado, California and Illinois and returned to Iowa in 1983. Joanne and her family were active members of churches in all of the communities in which they lived. She dedicated her life to playing piano and organ for church and retirement home worship services, including serving as choir director. Her choir served as the opening music for a segment of the NBC World News when NBC was covering the Farm Crisis in Iowa in 1983. She served as a volunteer for the Holstein Good Samaritan Community, as pianist for the Hugger Clowns Sing Along group, and monthly musical programs she and her husband presented. She was a member of the Holstein United Methodist Church, the Battle Creek Presbyterian Church, the Storm Lake Lakeside Presbyterian Church, and the Kiwanis Club. Over the course of some 60 years, she played for over 4,000 worship services. Among her many other accomplishments, Joanne developed some popular bread recipes with which her sons started a wholesale bakery in Illinois and later she helped them start a bakery in Chico, California. She also was a writer of short stories and writings of the natural world she observed. Joanne had a deep love for her family which was always foremost. This love extended to all of her acquaintances. She was enthusiastic and excited about life and saw each day as an opportunity for being kind, loving, and helpful to others. She loved the natural world of wild flowers, birds, sunsets and the night sky filled with stars. In life, she was one of those stars that shined brightly upon others. One of her favorite pastimes was to drive the country roads to enjoy the beauty of the country side. Joanne was preceded in her passing by her parents Elmer and Vera Wanberg-Wilson, her devoted husband of over 66 years, David Arthur, her son David Charles, and her brother, France R. and wife Helen Wanberg. Joanne is survived by her son Timothy of Storm Lake, Iowa, two step-grandchildren, Melissa (Mark) Newquist of Ida Grove, Iowa, Christopher (Stephanie) Smith of Reno, Nevada, and her brother, Dr. Kenneth (Dottie) Wanberg of Henderson Nevada. She is also survived by two nieces, Kathy (Dennis) Breyfogle of Holstein, Iowa and Becky (Kirby) Neil of Gravois Mills, Missouri, and four nephews, Gary (Deb) Wanberg of Galva, Iowa, Richard Wanberg of Denison, Iowa, and Kim Wanberg and Daron Wanberg both of Denver, Colorado. Cards and memorials may be sent to the Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home, 1615 West Milwaukee Ave., Storm Lake, Iowa 50588.

Joanne Brueck

September 17, 1929 - June 9, 2021