Arnold Brouwer

Arnold Brouwer, 90, of Clara City MN passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Tuesday, October 25. Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 1 at 10:30am at Bunde Christian Reformed Church of rural Clara City. Military honors will follow with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:00am prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. The service will be livestreamed at Bunde CRC - YouTube. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials which will be directed to Arnie’s favorites charities. Tri-County Funeral Home, Prinsburg, MN is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.  www.tricountyfuneral.com

Arnold Brouwer was born December 4, 1931, on the family farm in Rheiderland township to Koene A and Jeanette (Petersen) Brouwer. He attended country school until 8th grade and continued farming with his father. Arnie served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1955.

On June 21, 1956, Arnie was united in marriage to Margie Swart at Roseland Reformed Church. They made their home in rural Clara City and continued agricultural production on the family farm established in 1892. They were blessed with five children.

Arnie was a faithful member of Bunde Christian Reformed Church of rural Clara City where he and Margie also served as church custodians for 19 years. He was a dedicated usher and head usher until the time of his death. Arnie was a lifelong farmer. He and Margie were engaged in crop farming, dairy, beef cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. He continued to mow lawn and move bales across the farm to feed the cattle just weeks prior to his death. He instilled a strong work ethic and a devotion to family in his children and grandchildren. He drove school bus for Central Minnesota Christian School for nearly 20 years. He drove livestock truck for Fritz Trucking and T and D Trucking and various other trucking jobs. He served on the Rheiderland Township Board for more than four decades. He was an active member of the American Legion for 61 years. Arnie and Margie enjoyed several bus tours over the years, a trip to Alaska and wintering in Southern Texas with friends.

Arnie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margie; his children Kathy (and Mark) Tammen of Maynard, Michele (and Mike) Asche of Mantorville, and Paul Brouwer of Clara City, daughter-in-law Cathy Brouwer of Maynard; his grandchildren Terry Tammen, Ty (and Tara) Brouwer, Tory Brouwer, Tanner (and Molly) Brouwer, Troy (and Emily) Asche and Tracy Asche; his great grandsons Taber, Truett and Theo and baby Asche coming February 2023; his sisters Carol and (Syd) Postma of California and Jane (and Kervan) VanderWey of Michigan; sisters-in-law Caroline Brouwer of Renville, Henrietta Swart and Josie Swart of Prinsburg; his aunt Hilda Nieuwbeerta of Willmar; and many other relatives and friends.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, Koene and Jeanette; Margie’s parents, Albert and Stella Swart; son Ardell (Butch) and daughter and son-in-law Joyce and Richard Abel; great grandson Lincoln Brouwer; sisters and brothers-in-law Trudy and Gerard Borst, Ione and Wesley Lange, Alyce and Richard DeJong; brother Orrin Brouwer; three infant siblings Roger, Calvin, and Matilda; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Harold and Gertrude Tebben; brothers-in-law Henry Swart and Stanley Swart; nephews Larry Swart and Vernon Tebben.

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