Donald Eugene Bren, age 92, of Brookings, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Brookings Hospital.  Funeral services will begin at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, December 27th at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings with burial to follow at First Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Friday before the funeral service.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Donald Eugene Bren was born on June 28, 1932, to Olaf and Edna (Thompson) Bren near Toronto, South Dakota. He grew up near Toronto and graduated from White High School in 1950. After High School, Don enlisted into the United States Air Force, where he faithfully served from November 15, 1951, to October 31, 1959.

After Don's honorable discharge, he returned to South Dakota where he worked for various places including Robertson Auto, Graff Motor Supply, and Schoon Auto Supply.  He also managed the VFW Canteen for two years.   During that time, Don returned to school and graduated from SDSU in 1976.  He also later attended USD studying drug and alcohol abuse.

Don married Gladys Ohlenkamp in 1961.  After that marriage dissolved, he married Joanne Fallang on December 6, 1986, in Volga, SD.

Don began working in 1987 as a rural mail carrier in the Bruce area and worked there until his retirement in 1997.  Don lived a life of service and volunteered in numerous different ways in his community.  Don was a member of the Disabled American Veterans for over 50 years and served tirelessly on behalf of all veterans.  He was a member of the Elks Lodge, American Legion, VFW, Brookings DAV, Antique Automobile Club, Acholic Anonymous, and Ascension Lutheran Church.  Don also was recognized as the Robert D Lyftogt Disabled Veteran of the Year in 1986, the Civilian Advocate for Military or Military Families Award presented by the Brookings Chamber of Commerce in 2011 and the Chester Sorenson Veteran of the Year Award presented by Gene Murphy and Gov. Dennis Daugaard in 2016.  Governor Daugaard also had declared June 28, 2014 as "Don Bren Day" in the State of South Dakota.

Don was the founding member of the DAV Brookings Chapter. He received the National Commanders Award for the DAV in 1988 and served as the State commander from 1990-1991.  Don also served as a State officer for four years and as the local commander for seven years.

Don enjoyed numerous hobbies including racing, fishing, hunting and camping and all sorts of tinkering on old cars, tractors and just about anything that just wasn't working quite right.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne; children, Mark (Theresa) Bren, Doug (Michelle) Bren, and Ron (Angie) Bren, Kathy (Jim) Watt and Cindy (Denny) Josephsen;  grandchildren,  Miranda (Darrell) Roberts, Riley (Mackenzie) Bren, Jessica (Sean) Freese, Stephanie (Brandon) Perman, Logan (Miah Mattson) Bren, Allen (Rebecca) Gilbert, Josh (Paula) Gilbert, Tim (Dianne) Nachtrieb, Neva (Richard) Nachtrieb-Fairs, Chad (Glenda) Hammond, Lane (Megan) Hammond, Shawna Heck, and Eric Josephsen; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one brother, Glen Bren; many wonderful nieces and nephews and his favorite Feline Friend, Sox. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dale Bren; and two sisters-in-law, Sylvia Bren and Vicki Bren.