Glen Joseph Brazda, 86, of Fullerton, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at CHI Health St. Elizabeth in Lincoln.
Glen was born March 17, 1939, to James and Bertha (Homolka) Brazda at their family farm in Saline County. He grew up helping on the farm until his freshman year of high school, when the family moved to Polk, after his father purchased the John Deere Implement Company. Glen graduated from Polk High School in 1957 and received his orders to join the U.S. Navy on graduation night. He served aboard the USS Midway, completing a tour of duty that took him to Hawaii, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Japan. After returning home, Glen worked for John Deere Implement companies in Polk, Stromsburg and Fullerton.
In 1960, he married Katherine Caldwell, and together they welcomed three daughters: Renee Machelle, Kimberly Ann, and Brenda Leigh. In 1968, the family moved to a farm in Fullerton, fulfilling Glen’s lifelong dream of farming.
Glen had a love for travel, and after retiring, he and Kathy visited all 50 states, his father’s homeland of the Czech Republic, and many other countries. He inherited his mother’s passion for gardening and flowers and carried on his father’s devotion to farming.
Glen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Polk and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Fullerton, as well as the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Fullerton. His happiest moments were always those spent with family and friends.
Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Katherine of Fullerton; daughters, Renee (Daniel) Pickerel of Lincoln, Kimberly (David) Gerhold of Olathe, Kansas, and Brenda (Larry) Scalise of Lincoln; grandchildren, Brandon, Destinee, Alexis, Jack, Denea, and Nicholas; great-grandchildren, Olive June and Oakley Glen; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James Jr., Robert, and Roger Brazda; and nephews, Kevin, Robert, and Keith.
Visitation will be from 4 – 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home in Fullerton. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Fullerton, with interment at Polk Cemetery and military honors by the Polk American Legion Post #160 and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
Arrangements by Palmer-Santin Funeral Home of Fullerton.
