The funeral service and graveside service with military rites will be available to view below; at approximately 1:00 PM on Aug 11, 2022

Ivan Brookbank, Mitchell, SD, passed away on August 7 at Firesteel Health Care at the age of 86 years, 8 months and 18 days.  Services will be held Thursday, August 11 at 11:00 AM at Will Funeral Chapel with visitation two hours prior to the service.  Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery with Military Rites.

Ivan Leroy Brookbank was born to Donald and Vera (Campbell) Brookbank in Mitchell on November 20, 1935.  He attended grade school in Mitchell until the family moved to a farm place in 1943.  After attending several rural schools, he graduated from Carthage High School in 1953.  In 1954 he joined the 100th Ordnance Company of the SD National Guard (later the 665th Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company) where he would continually serve until his retirement in 1995.  After positions selling farm equipment in the area for a few years, in 1961 he accepted a full-time technician position at the Mitchell Guard complex.  Positions he held included general mechanic, unit administrator, and in 1977 he moved to the Combined Support Maintenance Shop as an automotive inspector.  In 1989 he was promoted to heavy equipment foreman, a position he held until his retirement from full-time work in 1992.

Ivan attended or taught numerous Guard courses and schools both in the US and abroad.  He was cited for several awards in his career including Enlisted Association Soldier of the Year; Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Soldier; Mitchell Soldier of the Year and SD Technician of the Year.  His many ranks included E-1 through E-7, Lieutenant and Warrant Officer 1 through Master Warrant Officer 5, the rank he held when retiring from the National Guard in 1995.  Ivan's travels took him to Germany, Belgium, South Korea, and a year-long tour in David, Panama, in 1993 where he managed maintenance logistics for Operation Fuertes Caminos.  At his retirement event on March 14, 1992, the day was designated as Ivan Brookbank Day in South Dakota by Gov. George Mickelson.

Ivan married Delores Cunningham in 1958.  Their two children, Julie and Doug, were born and raised in Mitchell and the family frequently accompanied him to military schools.  After retirement, he and Delores traveled the US extensively with frequent visits to South Carolina to visit son Doug and his family.  Ivan was a faithful and loving caregiver to his brothers, Darrel and Milt, and, in later years to Delores as each suffered from chronic illness.

Ivan was a lifetime member of the Church of the Nazarene (later Harvest Community Church).  He also served as a board member and loan committee member of the Palace City Federal Credit Union and was instrumental in helping to start and serving as president of the Civilian Technician's Union Local 1050 for 14 years.

Ivan is survived by his daughter Julie Brookbank and her husband Philip Picha of Mitchell; son Doug and wife Teresa of Cleveland, SC; grandson JD Brookbank of Chapel Hill, NC; two sisters, Charlotte Stroud of Gillette, WY, and Carol Bunch of Spearfish; a brother-in-law Glenn Cunningham of Mitchell and several nieces and nephews including one special nephew, Michael Brookbank of Mitchell.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2018; his brothers Darrel and Milt; sisters-in-law Norma Cunningham, Phyllis Brookbank and Ilene Brookbank; brother-in-law Marvin Bunch; his parents, and in-laws Clarence and Grace Cunningham.

Memorials will be given to the Caring Closet of Mitchell or make a donation in Ivan's memory to the veteran's cause of your choosing.