Brian Eschen

Brian G. “Willie” Eschen, 59, of Sumner, Iowa, died Thursday evening, March 7, 2024, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Visitation: Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein, Iowa.
Prayer Service: Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein, Iowa.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at American Legion in Sumner, Iowa to celebrate his 60th birthday.
Inurnment at a later date.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Brian Gene Eschen was born on June 30, 1964, in Waterloo, the son of Victor Allen and LaVonne Clara (Chase) Eschen. He was raised in Sumner and attended Sumner High School, graduating in the class of 1982. Brian continued his education at Iowa State University and Upper Iowa University where he graduated with multiple degrees. Following college Brian worked for Winnebago and as an EMT in Forest City, Iowa until changing careers to work for John Deere in Waterloo, where he later retired in 2010. In 1995 Brian married Vickie Jo Little at the St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sumner. To this union were born two children, Jenna and Jesse Eschen. After 14 years of marriage, they separated.

Brian had a love for the arts, he was a member of the Sumner Community Theatre and a past president where he wrote and directed “Welcome to Mayberry”. “Willie” as many called him loved to sing and play his harmonica, often playing his favorite song “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” by Willie Nelson. Brian had a love for the outdoors, enjoying fishing, mushroom hunting, and camping.

Brian is survived by his 2 children: Jenna Eschen of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Jesse Eschen of Davenport, Iowa; his mother LaVonne Eschen Proctor of Oelwein, Iowa; 3 siblings: Darcel Carolan of Chino Valley, Arizona, Brenda Eschen of Phoenix, Arizona and Wayne (Michelle) Eschen of Howards Grove, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his father: Victor Eschen; 3 Uncles: Richard Chase, Kenneth Chase, and Loriane Chase; and 1 Aunt: Norma Miller.