Koran Walter Brees' Obituary
Koran Walter Brees was born on September 19, 1921 and passed away on September 16 at the Corydon Special Care Center just three days short of his 103rd birthday. He was the third of four sons of Evelyn and Oren Brees. He was born in rural Wayne County where he lived all of his life. He and his brothers helped on the family farm growing up and attended school in Sewal, Iowa. He married his high school sweetheart, Ila Mae Palmer, on March 17, 1943 while home on leave from the US Navy.
Koran served in World War II and was stationed at Guadalcanal Navy Base in the Pacific from 1943-1945. He was a very proud veteran and was a member of the American Legion.
After the service he share-cropped farms both near Sewal and Promise City. During those years despite the work to be done, he always left the fields to drive his children to Seymour for ball practice and many games and other activities. He and Ila left the farm and moved to Corydon in 1972. He then worked at Delflecta Shield for 20 years before retiring.
Koran loved fishing and gardening and bowled until he was 94 years young. He especially loved his grandchildren and enjoyed taking them fishing and playing card games with them. He was a great fan of them and also of his eight great-grandsons, watching them play in many sports.
In his retirement years both Koran and Ila Mae volunteered many hours at the Prairie Trail Museum and enjoyed lunch and cards at the Corydon meal site. He was a resident at Corydon Specialty Care during his final years.
Koran is survived by his children, Karen Santana of Cibolo, TX, Nancy Brees of Des Moines, and Sarah Rupalo (Duane) of Seymour; daughter-in-law, Connie Brees of Centerville; grandchildren, Jennifer Rodine (Matt) of Des Moines, Lisa Proctor (Billy) of Johnston, Robert Santana (Bobbi) of Live Oaks, TX, Chasity and Missy Brees DeYoung of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Christopher Brees of Marshalltown, Kelly Rupalo of Des Moines, and Deena Rupalo of Cedar Rapids; great grandsons, Mason, Colin and Ethan Rodine, Jeran, Brees, and Taylen Proctor, Ryan Santana and Taylor Nielson and sister-in-law, Marilyn Palmer of Corydon. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews and their families.
Preceding him in death: Wife of 64 years, Ila Mae; daughter, Mary Lynne Frueh and son-in-law Don Frueh; granddaughter Katrina Frueh; son, James Brees; son-in-law, Tony Santana; brothers, Donovan, Carrol and Kenneth and many brother and sister-in laws.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at 11am at Thomas Funeral Home in Corydon. Burial will follow at the Corydon Cemetery with Military rites. Visitation will be held Saturday, September 21st, 2024 from 10:00am to 11:00am. Memorials in honor of Koran may be made to Prairie Trails Museum and mailed to Thomas Funeral Home 303 E. Jefferson Corydon, IA 50060 Attn: Brees Family and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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