08/11/2018
Dickie (Smily) Lee Breuklander, 71, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, August 11, 2018, at the Mahaska Hospital Emergency Room in Oskaloosa.
He was born July 14, 1947, in Oskaloosa, the son of Eugene Sorenson and Nellie Breuklander. He attended school in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1966.
On June 21, 1969, he was married to Connie R. McLain in Montezuma, Iowa. They were blessed with a daughter, Crystal, and a son, David. Following high school, he began working for Vermeer Corporation on July 10, 1967, and retired on March 25, 2009, after 42 years. He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church most of his life.
Later in life, Dick and Connie were blessed with three grandchildren, Tyson, Bailey, and Preslee Breuklander. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. His ornery side often came out as he enjoyed ‘picking’ on people; collecting eagle items; going to races with family; fishing with his friend Russ and another family; going on vacations; going to new and old places to eat, but most of all, letting his grandchildren get away with everything!
Dick is survived by his wife Connie R. of Oskaloosa; two children Crystal Breuklander (Barry Visser) and David (Amie) Breuklander, all of Oskaloosa; three grandchildren, Tyson, Bailey, and Preslee; two brothers, Ralph (Erma) Sorenson of Harvey, Bob Burkhart of Knoxville; two sisters Linda (Lewis) Fletcher of Des Moines and Dixie (Allen) Smith of Knoxville; his mother in law, Louise McLain of Grinnell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents; and a sister and brother in law: Alberta and Sherill Rankin; a step brother, LeRoy Almond; a step sister and her husband, Donna and Steve Bowen; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral Services for 71-year-old Dickie Breuklander of Oskaloosa will be held Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Assembly of God Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Mike Dotson officiating assisted by Reverend Del Bittner.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Tuesday after 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Tuesday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the family and will benefit the Oskaloosa High School Wrestling Program.