Memorial services for Francis “Red” Brownmiller, 77, of Aurelia, will be held at the First Congregational Church in Aurelia, on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Bruce Rapp officiating.  Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday at the Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia.   Military honors will be conducted by the Grashoff-McManus American Legion Post 390 of Aurelia.  Inurnment will be in the Afton Cemetery, rural Cherokee. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.

Red passed away at his home on December 3, 2012.

Francis “Red” Edward Brownmiller was born near Cherokee, IA, on June 12,
1935, the son of Harold and Lela (Cave) Brownmiller, Sr.  He graduated from the Aurelia High School in 1953 and attended Westmar College, graduating in 1957.    Red was united in marriage to Wanda Churchman in 1960 and to this union two daughters were born, Debra and Teresa. On January 23, 1958, Red entered the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged on January 20, 1961. Red owned and operated Brownmiller Construction in Aurelia for over 20 years, and he was on the Aurelia Fire Department from 1963 to 1983. He relocated to Arizona in 1983 where he continued in the construction field until moving back to Aurelia in 1992. In 1998 Red married Gayle E. Mongan Miller.  He was a member of the AMVETS Post 66 of Storm Lake and the Grashoff-McManus American Legion Post 390 of Aurelia.  Red loved to play golf and he was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He also loved getting together with friends.

Preceding Red in death were his parents, two brothers; one in infancy and

Harold Brownmiller, Jr., one grandson, Cody Ryan Hasenwinkel, and one grandson-in-law, Sean Brazas, who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this year.

Survivors include his wife, Gayle Brownmiller of  Aurelia,  two daughters, Debra and her husband Chad Lucas of Glendale, AZ, and Teresa and her husband Daryl Hasenwinkel of Mesa AZ, three step-children, Calvin  and  his wife Julie Miller of Sioux City, IA, Carrie and her husband Doug Gulseth of Valley Spring, SD, and Matthew and his wife Staci  Miller of Fort Dodge, IA; three grandchildren, Luke and his wife Christie Hasenwinkel, Montana Lucas, and  Allie Brazas; eight step-grandchildren, J.W. Lucas, Matt Lucas, Josh Miller, Chelbie Miller, Drake Miller, Tehya Miller, Eric Gulseth  and Broc Gulseth, one great-granddaughter, Addison Brazas, and three step-great-grandchildren Torre Gulseth, Tripp Gulseth, and Matthew Jensen. Also surviving are one brother, Roger and his wife LaVonne Brownmiller of Mason City, IA, and one sister, Carolyn and her husband Robert Meyer of Naples, FL, sister-in-law, Joan Brownmiller of Aurelia, brother-in-law, Gary and his wife Keiko Mongan of Warrenton, VA, nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.