"Ruth, Jon and Holly. I happen to come across the tribute on the passing of Virtus. I want to pass on my deepest sympathy and sadness. I recall many times visiting and working with Virtus and you while I was working for Brenton Bank in Marshalltown. Had many good talks and laughs. You will be in our thoughts and prayers during this time of grieving. Greg Nessa "
In loving memory of
Virtus Brockman 08/29/2020
August 20, 1929 - August 29, 2020
Virtus Brockman, 91 of Melbourne, IA passed away Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown, IA. Services will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 3, 2020, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in rural Melbourne, IA. The family requests memorials to be directed to Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana and the West Marshall Memorial Scholarship fund. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com
Virtus was born August 20, 1929 to Carl and Hilda (Bruhn) Brockman in Charter Oak, IA. He graduated from Melbourne High School in 1947 and went on to graduate from AIB and then Valparaiso University where he met his future bride to be, Ruth Caroline Matter. Before he married Ruth he was drafted into the army and sent to Fort Riley, Kansas to complete basic training. He then went to Baltimore for more training and off to Seattle where the troops left by ship to Yokohama, Japan where he served with the 25th Infantry Division from 1951-1953. He endured some of the harshest conditions imaginable at Heartbreak Ridge and Pork Chop Hill each of which were major war zones.
After the war Virtus went to Gary, Indiana and worked in the steel mill, then moved on to Swift Packing plant and to GI Farm School in Collins. Virtus and Ruth were united in marriage on November 14, 1953 at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sherman Center, WI. They made their home in the Melbourne and Rhodes area, and for a while in Liscomb before moving to Virtus' home farm in 1971 where he had resided until July 2020. Virtus spent 60 years of his life farming with his father Carl, brother Wayne, son Michael and Jon, and his grandson Sam. This was his true passion in life.
Virtus loved umpiring fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball games from 1977-2013 and made many good friends along the way. He loved traveling to faraway places; Scotland, England, Venezuela, fishing in Canada and had a love for polka dancing with Ruth. He also had a passion for Casey's donuts and Schwan's ice cream.
Virtus was elected as a Marshall County Supervisor for 12 years and even ran for Iowa State Senate. As a Supervisor, Virtus was instrumental in the first renovation of the Marshall County Courthouse. He also helped establish the Marshall County 911 system and his support of the Iowa Regional Utilities Association was instrumental in establishing rural water in Marshall County. He was a member of Redeemer Luther Church, Central Iowa Water Board, Farm Bureau, Maple Grove Cemetery Association, American Legion and VFW.
He is survived by four children; Holly (Kevin) Blood, Michael (Theresa) Brockman, Cheryl (Chris) Hill, Jon (Jill) Brockman; two brothers; Wayne Brockman, Ron (LeeAnn) Brockman; Twelve grandchildren: Shannon (Cory) Eldridge, Sharon Kline, Teri (Sam) Root, Alex (Melissa) Blood, Christian (Sneha) Brockman, Hannah (Cody) Smith, Manuel Brockman, Maria Brockman, Matthew Hill, Summer (Bryan) Lefler, Sam (Lauri) Brockman, Jenna (Chris Greif) Brockman; Twenty one great grandchildren; Dresden, Dreah, Dalton and Dalaney Eldridge, Cael, Cody and Cole Kline, Sydney, Sammy, Sloan and Sawyer Root, Ashtyn, Weston, Audrey Blood, Laila Brockman, Drew, Ashton, and Hudson Lefler, Kayli, Elsie and Isaac Brockman. Virtus was preceded in death by his wife Ruth in 2007, his parents Carl and Hilda Brockman, grandaughter Ashley (Brockman) Wallace, and great granddaughter Aryanna Brockman.
One last memory of Virtus, no matter how tired, how late one works, or how late one comes home on Saturday night, God and church come first on Sunday morning. Amen and rest in peace with the Lord.
Tributes
"To the Brockman family----I wish to express my heartfelt---sympathy to you at this time. Virtus was always a smiling and happy man any time you would see him. He and Ruth were truly a Christian couple. "
"During my last few trips from OK to WI, I swung by through IA and picked up Uncle Virtus, and took him with me. It gave him opportunities to see old friends, and it gave me the opportunity to get to know him in a way that I never before had just from being distant family. It saddens me that I can't be there to grieve and celebrate, but do know that everybody who knew Virtus loved him."
"Our thoughts and prayers to the all of the Brockman family. "
"Holly and family, So sorry to read the passing of your dad. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sue Ohlschlager Willett"
"I was saddened to hear that Virtus had passed away. When I was a student at Iowa State, I did my student teaching at State Center. Virtus and Ruth opened their home to me so I didn't have to commute from Ames. What a great couple they were! Generous, caring, great role models of a Godly and loving life, supportive, wonderful conversationalist, and just fun to be around! They loved the farming life and made a great team. As a softball coach myself, Virtus and I had a lot to talk about. It was especially fun when we would get together with Jan, Deane and Lori Adams! I will forever be grateful for Virtus and Ruth's radical hospitality that they showed this complete stranger. My heart especially goes out to Holly, Michael, Cheryl and Jon. May your faith, family and friends sustain you. Yes, Virtus and Ruth are up in heaven dancing away! Peace..."
"Brockman Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Virtus truly was one of a kind. He and Ruth were so good to me back in my Brenton Bank days. We shared so many good times together. They loved each other and their children and families so much. We always looked forward to softball season and seeing Virtus behind the plate. Even after your mom passed we always exchanged Christmas cards. We shall miss him but know he and Ruth are dancing the polka in heaven. Love, Paul and Lynne Kock, Beaman, IA. "
"Brockman Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Virtus truly was one of a kind. He and Ruth were so good to me back in my Brenton Bank days. We shared so many good times together. They loved each other and their children and families so much. We always looked forward to softball season and seeing Virtus behind the plate. Even after your mom passed we always exchanged Christmas cards. We shall miss him but know he and Ruth are dancing the polka in heaven. Love, Paul and Lynne Kock, Beaman, IA. "
"I asked him many years ago if I could call him dad and he waited a minute to make me squirm just a little, then he looked right at me and said, you bet! Good bye dad and I know Ruth led you by the hand to your first feast! Lord lead me home! See you soon!"
"My sincere condolences to the Brockman family. Virtus umpired the first of many softball games in my career. A steward of the game with a great smile and a unique way of handling the tough calls. He was fair, enjoyable, and someone you always looked forward to seeing on game night. RIP my friend. "
"Thank you, Brockman family, for allowing me the honor and privilege to care for Virtus in his home this past February and March. I learned so much from this wonderful man in the short few months I knew him and I will treasure his sweet friendship forever. He loved his family, his friends, the farm, his food and his coffee....all of which he shared so easily. Virtus was a man who was kind and generous, thoughtful and hospitable, spontaneous and fun. I (and my husband and children) enjoyed every visit and outing we shared together. We will miss him tremendously! With much love and prayers-Shelly Smith and family "
"This absolutely breaks my heart. For all of you. For anyone really, who was fortunate enough to have shared the company of this man. Everything about our Jessup property was perfect, and beloved upon purchase. And meeting and knowing and loving our neighbor Virtus for 22+ years made for a home and 'neighborhood' beyond compare. He was compassionate, smart, funny and thoughtful, sending us cards and/or attending in person every major and not so major life event in our years there. I will miss him always. I know how lucky we were. Hugs to each of you who mourn. I'm so sad...With love, Nancy Adams"
"Dear Brockman Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Jack & Danice Zern"
"may the soul virtus rest in eternal peace, he was a good man i will miss him. pat"
"I will Miss this guy he is funny and likes to joke and he love to eat thanks for the ruburb"