Brenda Jean Jurgens

Brenda Jean Jurgens passed away on February 25, 2026 at Walnut Ridge Care Center in Clive, Iowa with family by her side.

Brenda was born on June 21, 1959 to Ronald and Iva Jurgens in Cylinder, Iowa. She attended elementary school in Eagle Grove and Burt, Iowa. Her family moved to Britt, Iowa in 1970 where she attended middle and high school. Brenda attended her senior year at Tri-County High School in Plymouth, Nebraska in 1977. From there, she went on to attend Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kansas where she graduated in Fashion Merchandising and Business Administration.

During her primary school years, Brenda was active in many organizations including Girl Scouts, 4-H, Youth League, Spanish Club, Student Council, band, debate and basketball. After playing 6 on 6 basketball in Iowa, Brenda went on to play 5 on 5 basketball in Nebraska. She became a star player holding a scoring record there for many years. Her Spanish education afforded her a unique experience to travel to Mexico to teach English between her Junior & Senior years of high school with a group from Waldorf College where she also celebrated her 16th birthday.

After graduating from college, Brenda set off for Dallas, Texas to begin her career in the fashion industry. She accepted a position to manage a retail clothing store, Casual Corner, in Dallas and Odessa Texas. She then became an independent contractor as a wholesale clothing representative through the Dallas Apparel Mart. In this role, Brenda traveled to multiple states in a motorhome converted into a mobile clothing showroom selling top-line apparel to retailers, as well as entertaining buyers at wholesale clothing markets.

While working in Texas, Brenda met her life partner, Bob Russell. They made their home in Mineola, Texas until Bob passed away in 2010. They enjoyed the relaxing retreat of country life in nature, as well as fishing and boating, as an escape from their busy careers. Brenda embraced the cowgirl culture by often dressing the part with her fashionable cowboy hats and Larry Mahan boots.

Upon returning from a trip to Australia with Bob in 1991, Brenda began a new chapter in her life. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor while staying with her brother and sister-in-law in Liberty, Missouri where she was working a show at the Kansas City Market. As luck would have it, a highly regarded brain surgeon was practicing in the Kansas City area, so she stayed with her family while undergoing surgery and treatment. After brain surgery, Brenda took to wearing hats daily. This became a part of her identity, with many referring to her as “the hat lady”. The illness altered the trajectory of Brenda’s career as her abilities to work became difficult over time. Eventually, she retired and moved to Iowa to be near family. She faced the past 35 years, as a medical miracle, with courage, grace and a smile on her face.

Brenda was a bright light to all who knew and loved her. This includes being a wonderful daughter and sister, and the best aunt to her nieces and nephews. Her positive attitude and quick smile made it easy to love her as witnessed by those who cared for her at Independent Village, Walnut Ridge Care Centers, and Suncrest Hospice.

Brenda was preceded in death by her mother, Iva Jurgens, infant brother Roger, grandparents, and Life Partner, Bob Russell. She is survived by her loving father, Ronald Jurgens; Siblings: Allan (Nancy) Jurgens, Monica (Lyle) Stutzman, and Michael (Cindy) Jurgens, and Nieces/Nephews: Alyssa (Mike) Mattson and their children Anna and Ryan, Mikhala (Bryan) Febel, Morgan Stutzman, Marin Jurgens, Bennett Jurgens, and stepson Robert Russell Jr. (Melissa) and their son Alex.

Services to Celebrate Brenda’s Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday March 28, 2026 at Saint James Lutheran Church; 5665 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, Iowa 50131. A luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Church starting at 12 noon and a visitation at 1 PM, prior to the service. An Interment Service will be held by immediate family at South Saint John’s Cemetery in Cylinder, Iowa at a later date. For those unable to attend the service in person, it will be livestreamed on St. James Lutheran Church’s website: www.stjamesjohnston.org. A recording will also be available for a limited time following the service.

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