Allen Brandsma

December 10, 1930 - July 26, 2020

Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton. The family requests that social distancing be followed with mask use encouraged.

Service: A private graveside service will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery on Wednesday.

            Allen Brandsma, age 89, died Sunday, July 26, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society Canton.  A private graveside service will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery on Wednesday.  Visitation, with family present, will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.  The family requests that social distancing be followed with mask use encouraged.

            Allen was born on December 10, 1930 near Rock Valley, IA to Abe and Rena (Heimstra) Brandsma.  He lived in Rock Valley until moving to Canton, SD at age 6.  He graduated from Canton High School in 1948.  Allen loved being an uncle and enjoyed his nieces and nephews.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-54, working in communications while stationed in Munich, Germany.  He spoke fondly of his time in the Army and of Germany, maintaining life-long friendships with many of his fellow soldiers.  During his service, he was also able to travel Europe with his brother, Loren, who was also stationed overseas.   After his discharge he was active in the Canton VFW and American Legion.

            On January 19, 1963 he married Margaret Maxam in Lake Preston, SD.  The couple lived and farmed on the family farm north of Canton until retiring and moving to Canton in 2002.  Allen loved to farm and was proud of the red brick barn on his farm.  The couple enjoyed spending time with family, attending their grandchildren’s events, traveling with Susan’s family, and traveling with Charlie and Pearl Hilt, especially to Hawaii.

            Allen was proud of his Dutch heritage and loved to talk and tell jokes.  He always had a new joke for his grandkids and loved to people watch and visit at the mall while his wife and daughter shopped.  He also enjoyed playing cards, going to coffee, polka music, eating with family at the Pizza Ranch, and shooting pool.

            Allen is survived by his daughter, Susan (Mark) Schmit, Bristol, SD; grandchildren, Jonathan, Canton, SD and Laura, Sioux Falls, SD; brothers, George Brandsma, Euless, TX and Loren (Roberta) Brandsma, Iowa City, IA; sister-in-law, Carrie Brandsma, Sioux Falls, SD; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Margaret, in 2017, his parents, brother, Robert and in-laws, Gorden and Hazel Maxam.

Leave a Condolence
Your email address will not be published.

1 message has been left

  1. Lori Minor on July 27, 2020 said:

    So many memories over the years… I remember when Susan and I thought we would try to walk brand and lasted all of 5 minutes! I will always remember learning about farm life when I would visit in summers.
    I will always remember your jokes and when Claudia chatted away to you about her new backpack when she was 5 or so!
    My mom and dad loved the years when everyone was retired and you all ventured to church suppers and fun activities together. I am so glad you all have that time. I loved hearing my mom and Aunt Margaret talk about How my mom played matchmaker and the double dates the four of you shared.
    I love picturing your welcome into Heaven and seeing Aunt Margaret and Uncle Bob again ! We are sad but rejoicing that you are with Jesus.