Brenda J. Person

Brenda Jean Person, 72, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025, due to cancer.

Brenda was born August 26, 1953, in Des Moines, Iowa to Burton James “BJ” and Marjorie “Darlene” Brockway. She was an Iowa farm girl through and through. In 1970, she was Angus Queen as part of the Iowa Angus Association, as she showed Angus cattle growing up, and exhibited from Chicago to Denver. She graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 1971. In 1975, she married Steve Person and they had two daughters, Brandi and Brooke. Brenda was a lifetime member of Centennial United Methodist Church at Ivy.

Brenda loved the Iowa State Fair and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones. She worked the entry department at the Fair for many years and was a major contributor to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Brenda held various positions during her life, most of which enabled her to also be a full-time mom, until the opportunity came to purchase M & M Cartage Inc. in Des Moines. She bought the company with her husband, Steve in 1991, and was the owner/operator and highly involved in the business until she passed.

Brenda enjoyed being a country girl. She loved all her pets, calling it her hobby farm with chickens, ducks, peacocks, donkeys, miniature horses, goats, and potbelly pigs. She and Steve had a love of Komondor dogs. She took great pride in having Brooke show at Westminster Kennel Club twice.

Brenda’s family was her greatest source of joy and she was the proudest grandma, supporting all of her grandkids in their various activities, from football to basketball to baseball. Family time always took top priority, whether it was telling her girls how to garden or which slot to play at the casino, or even whether to hit or stay in blackjack. Her love of family was evident in all she did and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her daughters, Brandi Jackson (Aaron) and Brooke Person; grandchildren, Brock (Rylie VanWyk), Boman, and Brili Jackson; brother, Bruce Brockway (Susan); her dog, Bubba; as well as many extended family and friends.

Brenda was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Person; and her parents, BJ and Darlene Brockway.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 24, 2025, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, also at Hamilton’s, with burial to follow at Canfield Cemetery. Casual attire is encouraged, and Iowa State gear is even better. There will be a celebration of life after the burial, details to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation or an organization of the donor’s choosing.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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