Brendan Numedahl

Brendan Michael Numedahl, age 19, of Decorah, IA, passed away Tuesday November 28, 2017 at Wallace Residence Hall on the Iowa State Campus in Ames, IA. Born on August 30, 1998 in Minneapolis Minnesota, Brendan is the son of Jennifer (Todd) Sime and Perry (Meg) Numedahl.  He grew up in Decorah and was baptized at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on October 25, 1998 and Confirmed at Decorah Lutheran Church on October 26, 2014 where he was a member and served as an acolyte through high school. Brendan attended school in Decorah from preschool through his graduation on May 21, 2017.  During his time in high school, he participated in baseball up through his freshman year, wrestling through his sophomore year and football and track all four years.  He was a one year letter winner in wrestling and two year letter winner in both track and football.  Brendan earned academic all-district football recognition his junior year; second team all-district player, academic all-district as well as academic all-state for football his senior year.  In track he was part of two conference championship teams in 2016 and 2017.  One of the highlights of Brendan’s senior year was qualifying for the state track meet in the 4x800 meter relay, along with many of his amazing teammates.  Brendan was also recognized as academic all-state for track.  Brendan cherished his teammates, coaches and teachers, and loved being a Decorah Viking.  From early morning lifting and conditioning at the high school to his summer work outs with his grandpa Bob, Brendan had a determination and drive to be the best version of himself that he could be.  This determination and drive was also an integral part of his academic success as he was a two year member of the National Honor Society and graduated with honors, earning multiple scholarships for college.  He was currently a freshman at Iowa State University in Ames, IA, majoring in mechanical engineering. Brendan was the kind of son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, teammate, student we all would want to have.  He was always a tenderhearted little boy and this stayed with him as he grew older.  His teachers would always say he was a quiet student but always willing to help out others.  At the age of 10 years, Brendan was diagnosed with epilepsy.  With his epilepsy, Brendan had to take on the responsibility to learn, manage and understand his condition, and with this developed a maturity beyond his years.  Not letting this hold him back, he continued to grow and excel in life.  While in high school, Brendan spent every summer working on an acreage outside Decorah, and also worked at Fisk Farm and Home in Decorah, his senior year.  In his free time Brendan enjoyed time with friends, helping them on their race cars and going hunting and fishing.  He was a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan and grew up as an Iowa Hawkeye fan, but he quickly grew to love the Iowa State Cyclones.  In his short time at Iowa State he developed wonderful friendships and worked hard to continue his academic success.  He participated in intermural flag football where he was the captain of his team.  Brendan was looking forward to joining the Make 2 Inspire engineering club and studying abroad in Australia next year.  His ISU friends describe him as the older brother, the one who made sure everyone was taken care of.  One of the kindest people they have known, never seeing him mad or angry.  The kind of friend everyone would want to have.   In his passing, Brendan is now united with his maternal great grandparents, Maynard and Mimi Aaker; Vernon (Lola) and Edith Naslund; his paternal great grandparents, Louis and Angie Loesch;  Laura and Lester Numedahl; great uncle Carl Casperson, great uncle James Numedahl, great aunt Eileen Lundell, and cousin, Bradley Chellevold. Here to cherish Brendan’s memory are his parents; three sisters, Josie Numedahl, Mya Numedahl and Ivy Sime, one brother, Liam Numedahl, all of Decorah.  His grandparents: Bob and Ann Naslund and Dick and Lela Numedahl of Decorah; Tom and Bev Sime of Fairmont, MN and Bill and Anne Craft of Moorhead, MN.  His aunts, uncles and cousins: Mike (Kathy) Naslund, Mari & Maclynne of Oswego, IL; Laura (Ben) Ready, Ella, Ingrid and Tait of Sioux Falls, SD; Pete (Tessa) Numedahl, Payton of Decorah, Taylor stationed in Kuwait; Paul (Amy) Numedahl, Gabe, Sam, Sarah, Annalise and Mia of Monument, CO ; ReaAnn (Earl) Arneson, Avery, Jack, Alex, James and Aiden of Decorah; Randee (Aaron) Hemseath, Josie, Jayelen, Jackson, Jordan of Ossian, IA; Jeff (Janell) Sime, Jerus, Justine, Jayden, Jamie, Jaxson, Jenna (Zach) Garrett of Omaha, NE; Nancy (Brandon) Struck, Claire & Carson of New Hope, MN; Josh (Elizabeth) Craft and Anna of Salt Lake City, UT; Brendan’s special friend, Allison Groux of Decorah, and many extended aunts, uncles, cousins and countless great friends. In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship has been established in remembrance of Brendan. Checks can be made out to: Decorah Community School District Foundation; in memo line:  Brendan Numedahl Memorial. Mail to: Hacker, Nelson & Co., c/o Bryan Panos, 123 West Water St., Decorah, IA 52101. Celebration of Life Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Decorah Lutheran Church with Pastor Dave Sorenson and Pastor Brenda Crossfield officiating.