Local Civic Leader Dies in Tractor Accident
James Brossmann, one of Schulenburg’s most prominent citizens, died in a tractor accident on Wednesday, Sept. 8. He was 81 years old.
The accident happened outside Brossmann’s home in Schulenburg.
Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Dan Mueller performed the inquest. Mueller said it appeared that Brossmann was trying to start a tractor while he was standing on the ground. The tractor was in gear. When it started, Mueller said, the tractor drove forward and ran over Brossmann.
“I suspect he was killed instantly,” Mueller said.
The tractor continued forward and drove into some other tractors that were parked under an awning, where it came to rest. Mueller said a family member found him deceased a few minutes after the accident happened.
Brossmann was a retired firefighter from the Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department and a former Fire Marshall for the City of Schulenburg. Just about everyone in Schulenburg knew him as the caretaker of the City’s limb and leaf dropoff yard. A U.S. Army veteran, Brossmann was very active in local veterans organizations. For many years he served as master of ceremonies for the Schulenburg Memorial Day Service.
He was an avid tractor collector and restored many antique tractors.
At the Schulenburg Festival last month, Brossmann along with his children and grandchildren drove 10 of his antique tractors in the Festival Parade. He was also a repository of vast knowledge about the history of Schulenburg and the surrounding rural area.
“He is going to be missed,” Mueller said.
Survivors include daughters Sheila Brossmann of Schulenburg and Roxann Redding and husband Darren of Hostyn; son Scotty Brossmann and wife Cheryl of St. John; sister Mary Lou Dujka of East Bernard; sister-in-law Janie Kristynik of Garwood; and 5 grandchildren. He was also an uncle to John and Mark Dujka of the famous Dujka Brothers polka group. He was preceded in death by his wife Rita, who died in 2018.
Funeral services were held at St. Rose Catholic Church in Schulenburg on Saturday, September 11.