Brian Lee Vandewater's Obituary
Brian Lee Vandewater, 70, of Ames, Iowa passed away while surrounded by family at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames on November 8, 2021. Brian was born in Eldora, Iowa on September 30, 1951; the son of Lee Royce and Helen Jean (Roberts) Vandewater. He was raised on the family farm in rural Adair County, graduating from Greenfield High School in 1969. Brian met Paula Sue Phillips while attending Saint Paul Bible College in Minneapolis; they married on January 18, 1974. Brian was well regarded for his high mechanical aptitude and engineering mindset. His ability to find creative solutions to problems was second to none. He put his talents to work in the automotive, agriculture and technical industries. Brian was also a selfless volunteer of his time, serving in multiple leadership capacities for the Iowa Games, the Ames Izaak Walton League, the Iowa Sportsmen's Federation, the National Rifle Association and the Iowa Barn Foundation. Brian received the Iowa Governors Volunteer Award in recognition of his service. Brian's love for Jesus and devotion to his family will always be remembered. He attended Heartland Baptist Church in Ames, serving on the church security team and several boards and committees. He loved the outdoors and never passed up an opportunity to take his grandchildren for a weekend at the family farm for hunting, Bible trivia, movie nights, ATV rides or embellished hunting stories. His tireless work on the family farm in Adair County established a legacy for future generations. Brian is survived by his wife, Paula Vandewater of Ames; son Lee Vandewater, wife Jessica and their children Grant and Brynna of Winterset; son Jon Vandewater, wife Heather and their children Abigale, Madison, Kailee and Eddie of Ames; mother, Helen Abbott, and her husband Ed of Ames; brother Dennis Vandewater and his wife Nancy of Eagle Grove; sister Jayne McClanahan and her husband Craig of Ames; brother David Vandewater and his wife Connie of Gardner, KS; and many nieces and nephews. Brian was preceded in death by his father, Lee Royce Vandewater. Visitation is from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov 14th at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. Funeral service is at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov 15th at Heartland Baptist Church, 3333 Stange Road, Ames, Iowa. A Family burial will take place at the Hebron Cemetery in Adair County, Iowa. Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.
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