Dewey Brenneman: Like A Sturdy, Stalwart Oak

Deward "Dewey" Laverne Brenneman  1928-2021

I was privileged to be a part of Deward Brenneman's graveside service at the Zion Mennonite Church cemetery this morning, and to attend his memorial service this afternoon. It would be hard to find a kinder, wiser or more decent man than Dewey. He was treasurer of the church I pastored for many years, and was truly a treasured part of our congregation.

I shared the following as a part of the graveside service this morning, next to a stately oak tree and overlooking the breathtakingly beautiful pastoral scene west of the church: 

As I reflected on Deward’s life I was reminded of the words in Psalm 1:

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the way traveled by sinners,

Nor is seated in the presence of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in God’s law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

I love the image of a tree planted by a river, Deward reminding me of a quiet, sturdy oak with deep roots in his faith, his family and the church family that nurtured him in rural Iowa and later in our Broadway and Zion. community. A tree doesn’t just appear overnight, full grown and fruitful, but in his case is one with 92 rings of steady and stable life and growth, with as much of the tree hidden from view in the deep soil of God’s love and grace as what appears on the surface. We remember Deward as a man of deep conviction and solid faith, better known for his walk than for a lot of talk. 

If a tree is to be judged by its good fruit, Deward could be depended on as a faithful source of it, by his service to others, by his and Phoebe’s kindness and generosity, and as a steady voice for godly wisdom and common sense. I remember one time where he and I had a civil and respectful disagreement, many years ago when VMRC was about to build a HUD-financed apartment complex for lower income retirees. I raised some questions about church institutions adding ever more real estate, and he respectfully differed, telling me he thought the project was a really great idea. Looking back, I realize he was right. We now live next to Heritage Haven and I know what a blessing the facility has been to so many people.

It was truly a joy being Deward’s pastor during the over two decades we served here at Zion, he and Phoebe were the most supportive church members a pastor could ever wish for, he as the faithful treasurer and source of wisdom on the church council, and both as among the most hospitable people ever. We often enjoyed being at their table as welcome and well fed guests.

And their tireless work with the Vietnamese refugee family that the Zion church sponsored will never be forgotten. These friends, some present today, and countless others, and certainly you, his children and grandchildren, were blessed by this stately and well rooted tree, providing welcome shade and reliable shelter, along with the faithful fruit he bore of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness and self control that impacted us all.

The blanket of acorns he left behind will continue to take root and grow, living on in the lives of all of us who were blessed by his life and his legacy. We will seek to pass on this life to others, and they to still others. And this tree will never die, transplanted as it now is by the river of the water of life, where it will continue to be fruitful and green forever. Thanks be to God, and may God bless each of us who is left behind, especially his wife Phoebe, and Tony and Becky, Tim and Joy and to all his children and grandchildren. 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb… 

On each side of the river is the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, every month, every year. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

And they are for the healing of each of us today.