Edward Brower

Edward Brower was called home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the age of 96 on May 9, 2025 in Visalia, California. Edward was born on May 31,1928 in Uitwellingerga, Fryslan, The Netherlands. He was the second of sixteen children born to Jan and Lipkje Brouwer. Edward immigrated to the United States at the age of 23 in 1951 with several fellow Friesens from his hometown in the Netherlands. He first settled in Artesia, California and began his dairy career milking cows by hand. Less than a year later he was drafted into the Army. In 1954, after his time of service, he went to work on a dairy farm in San Marcos. Edward married Edna Dragt, whom he had known from his hometown in the Netherlands, on November 17, 1954, at the Escondido Christian Reformed Church. Their marriage was blessed with eight children; four boys and four girls. Ed and Edna were blessed with 66 years of marriage. They enjoyed camping trips with their children, going to Mount Hermon, Skipper’s Camp and many national parks. Ed and Edna also made trips to Holland, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Russia, Turkey and Israel. After they married, they started their own business on a rented dairy in Lakeside. In 1961, Edward bought land near Escondido and built a new dairy facility where they lived until 1991 when they relocated to the Central Valley and another new dairy was built near Exeter. In 2003 Ed and Edna “retired” from the dairy and moved to a home in Sierra Village. Although “retired” in his late seventies, Ed still regularly went out to the dairy well into his eighties. He was involved with many different dairy boards and also served as an elder for many years at the churches they attended. Edward was very well versed in Scripture and taught many different Bible study classes at the churches they attended. He also served on the Calvin Christian school board in Escondido and the Sierra Village board at its inception. One of the most instrumental achievements in Edward’s life was his involvement in the startup and construction of Westminster Seminary’s new campus and location in Escondido, CA. Ed served many years on the board and on committees. Ed is survived by his children John (Rita) Brower, (Duane) TeVelde, Linda (Duane) Koonce, Margaret (Keith) Haveman, (Carol and Mike) Hillebrecht, Ed (Jennifer) Brower, Irene (Joel) Hooyer and Henry (Frances) Brower along with 30 grandchildren and 37 great- grandchildren. Edward is pre-deceased by his wife Edna, son Gerrit and daughter Jeanette TeVelde.

Edward also leaves behind his brothers Roel, Jan and Bernard and his sisters Ruth, Ann, Lipke, Ellie and Sjoukje. Ed was preceded in death by brothers Harold, Germ and Wilbur and sisters Annie, Jantsje, Bea and Grace. A private graveside service will take place at Visalia Memorial Cemetery, followed by a memorial service to be held at Trinity United Reformed Church in Visalia. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to their favorite charity.