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FAIRMONT -- A celebration of life service for Richard "Dick" Brolsma, 81, of Fairmont, Minn., formerly of Sherburn, Minn., will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sherburn.
Dick was called to his eternal rest Sunday evening, Jan. 1, 2023, at Goldfinch Estates in Fairmont, Minn. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. today, Jan. 5, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sherburn, and one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. A live stream of Dick's service will be on St. John's Lutheran Church Facebook page. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.kramerfuneralhome.com
Richard Lee Brolsma was born April 11, 1941, in Sherburn, Minn., to Jacob and Henrietta (Andriesen) Brolsma. He received his formal education in the Sherburn school district, later graduating with the class of 1959. Dick then attended school in Bloomington for air traffic control. On Dec. 19, 1959, he married the love of his life, Shirley Schnittger, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Dunnell, Minn. After a short time in Dunnell they made their home in Sherburn, where Dick was the milkman, bus driver and started his 22 years of service on the Sherburn Fire Department. This led to his career as Deputy State Fire Marshall in northern Minnesota until his retirement. In retirement, they enjoyed traveling in their RV to Quartzsite, Ariz. and numerous other parts of the country. Dick enjoyed the outdoors and loved camping, golfing and snowmobiling. You could find him woodworking, making walking sticks, and spending time with family. In 2018, they moved back to Fairmont, Minn. to be closer to family. Dick was a member of Saint John's Lutheran Church in Sherburn where he had sang for various events.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley, of Fairmont; his four children: son, Rick Brolsma of Sitka, Alaska, Jodi (Mark) Hawkins of Fairmont, Lisa (Jay) Hanson of Detroit Lakes, Minn., Heath (Danielle) Brolsma of Plymouth, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; brothers, Raymond (Karen) Brolsma of Sherburn, Marlin Brolsma of Ham Lake, Minn.; sister, Marilyn Wert of Wayzata, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Norma Brolsma, and Florine Brolsma, both of Sherburn; brother-in-law, Arnold Swenson of Edina, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Hattie Brolsma; infant daughter, Susan; grandson, Jordan; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lloyd Brolsma, Leo and Artis Brolsma, Florine and Frances Dressin, Leroy and Marcella Brolsma, Robert Brolsma, Kay Brolsma, Sheldon Wert; mother and father-in-law, William and Doria Schnittger; sister-in-law, Sharon Swenson; brother-in-law, Bill Schnittger; and other relatives.