Fred Brunner, 78, of Ames, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at his home in Ames. A memorial mass will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church 14238 500th Ave, Ames at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026. A Celebration of Life will begin at 12:30 at Fred and Judy's home.

Frederick Michael Brunner was born on November 1, 1947, to Nick and Christina (Schmitt) Brunner in Charles City. He was raised and educated in Marble Rock, Iowa, graduating from RRMR high school with the Class of 1965.

Following high school, Fred served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Germany with an artillery division. Following his discharge, he returned home, and was united in marriage to Judy Lippold on December 18, 1971, in Avoca, Iowa. The couple were blessed with children Angela and Travis.

Fred worked as a tool room machinist for Sundstrand, later Sauer and Dan Foss, in Ames, for 40 years.

Fred was a loyal fan of the Minnesota Vikings, along with both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones, as long as they were not playing against one another. He loved to watch his children and grandchildren in their sports activities, but fishing was his absolute favorite pastime. Fred and family made countless trips to Minnesota with other relatives and friends to catch perch and walleye. Every summer for nearly 40 years, Fred and Judy would go on a fly-fishing trip to the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming with longtime friends, Bert and Diane.

Left to mourn Fred are his wife of 54 years, Judy; his children Angela and Travis (Beth); and grandchildren Carleigh, Gauge and Bristol; his siblings, Paul (Debbie), Gene (Lloydene), John (Jean), and Kathy (Jerry) Guenther.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Christina Brunner, as well as his parents-in-law, Willis and Evelyn Lippold.

Memorials in Fred's honor may be directed to The Bliss Cancer Center and Trout Unlimited Iowa Driftless Chapter.