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Obituary For James Edwin Brady
James Edwin Brady of Polk City, Iowa, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025 at Kavanaugh House Hospice in Des Moines at the age of 87.
A rosary will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church (1102 NW Weigel Dr., Ankeny). Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m.
James was born July 13,1938, to James P. and Edna A. Brady. James graduated from Sheldahl High School in Sheldahl, Iowa, in 1956. James aspired to become an accountant and began classes at Drake University following high school, but when tragedy struck and his dad died from a lightning strike in 1957, he took over the family farm.
James farmed 100 acres of corn and soybeans in addition to dairy farming. He started with 17 Holstein cows and added more milk cows until he had a herd of 35. James quit milking and began working for the Alleman Coop in Alleman, Iowa, which is now Heartland Coop. After working in the feed mill for several years, James began delivering propane for the Coop. He said it was the best job he ever had. He enjoyed getting to know his customers and was committed to them making sure they did not run out of propane, especially in the winter months and around the holidays. He retired from Heartland Coop after 35 years.
James married Patricia Rose Ervine on July 28, 1962. They lived the farm life for all 63 years of their marriage with 2025 being James’ last year of farming. He lived and breathed farming until the end.
James and Patricia had four daughters and two sons that kept them busy with many school activities including many sports, 4-H, and FFA. Over the years the family raised cattle, sheep, and chickens. They had one horse for a brief time, and at last count they have had 21 dogs and so many barn cats and kittens it is impossible to estimate. Summers were spent walking beans, preparing to show their livestock at the Bondurant Fair, Polk County Fair, and the Iowa State Fair. Everything that needed done on the farm was done as a family (like it or not) including tending to the livestock, running equipment, hauling manure, morning and evening chores, and late night shifts to check the sheep during lambing season. It did not matter if you were a son or a daughter, you were all equals when it came to work.
Anyone who knew James, knew that he did not tolerate any slackers. As most farming families, the work never stopped. Holidays were worked in around chore times, and vacations were dependent upon whether they had livestock and the weather during spring planting and fall harvest.
During retirement, James enjoyed woodworking in his woodshop. He repurposed pedal sewing machines into usable side tables for family and friends (completing too many to count). James had a “watch cat” in his woodshop named “Elmo” who kept him company as he did his woodwork and tinkered in the barn. James and Patricia enjoyed going to garage sales, traveling to see their kids and grandkids, and they had a large garden every summer that was impeccable with no weeds left standing. In fact, James was considered the “weed warrior” as well as the “lawn patrolman”.
James and Patricia took many memorable trips to different religious sites in several states. Both were strong in their faith and made sure it was part of the trips they took. They both also enjoyed history and were able to visit some historical sites on many of their trips as well.
James leaves behind his devoted wife, Patricia; six children, Margaret (James) Cope of Drakesville, Mary (Andy) Snetselaar of Polk City, Martha (Randy) Breaman of Polk City, James (Dena) Brady of Vermillion, SD, Michael (Jolene) Brady of Kellogg, and Diane (Dan) Lahr of Katy, Texas; 21 grandchildren, Nick (Molly) Moore of Des Moines, Amanda (Colin) Robinson of Merrimack, NH, Jessica Brady of Las Vegas, NV, Michael (Lexi) Cope of Bussey, Nathen Brady of Vermillion, SD, Sarah (Sam) Owens of Scarborough, ME, Rachel Brady of Vermillion, SD, Jennie (Jon) Lehms of Fort Wayne, IN, Josie Moore of Polk City, Zach Brady of Vermillion, SD, Ethan Brady of Newton, Austin Brady of Newton, Colton Brady of Newton, Ben Brady of Kellogg, Kaden Brady of Kellogg, Lincoln Brady of Kellogg, Joe Lahr of Katy, TX, Sam Lahr of Katy, TX, and Levi Lahr of Katy, TX; and four great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Carson, Silas, and RoseMary.
James was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Louise Brady and Frances Brady; and a grandson, Trenton Brady.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Luke the Evangelist Church Building Fund or to the Trenton Brady Memorial Scholarship Fund.
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Pat, Our sympathy and prayers to you and your family. May your many memories sustain you.
Martha, my sincere sympathy to you and your family in the passing of your dad. I have fond memories of visiting with he and your mom at the activities that they would attend for your girls at Assumption. Prayers being sent for all
