Darrel Lee Brown

Darrel Lee Brown, age 87, of Beaver City, Nebraska passed away Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Holdrege, Nebraska. He was born November 16, 1927 on the family farm 6 miles south of Hendley in Furnas County, Nebraska. Darrel was the youngest of three children born to Delbert Leroy and Anna Minnie (Straube) Brown. His older brothers were Charles Roland and Forrest Dean Brown. He attended grade school at Middle Rockton located one-half mile west of the family farm and graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1944. In 1942, at the age of 14 he lost his father. Darrel attended Kearney State College for one year but returned home to operate the family farm with his brother Dean. A pretty neighbor girl, Eula Marie Holtze, caught his attention in grade school. On May 23, 1948, they were united in marriage and were the first to be married in the Christian Church in Wilsonville. They made their first home on Darrel’s family farm. To this union five children were born – David Lynn, Randall Lee, Brenda Lou, Robert Eugene, and Rebecca Sue. In 1965 the family moved to town so their children could attend Beaver City Schools. Education was a priority to Darrel and he made sure all five children received a college education. Darrel served on the board of education at Hendley Grade School and later elected to serve on the Beaver City School Board in 1966 (serving 3 years). In 1966 Darrel was also elected to the City Council and served until 1970 and then again 1974 to 1981. He was elected Mayor of Beaver City 1981 - 1990. Some of the accomplishments at that time were construction of the nursing home, a new city office, a new water storage facility, creation of the city ambulance service, the city’s trash pick-up service, a new public library, Senior Center and a Community Building. Darrel continued to operate and grow the family farm business. This enabled sons David and Randy to return to the farm and expand the family operation. Darrel’s heart never left farming but in 1989 he sold interest in Brown Grain & Livestock to David and Randy. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 67 years – Eula M (Holtze) Brown; his 5 children David L and Nancy (Frey) Brown of Beaver City, NE; Randall L and Mary (Thomsen) Brown of Beaver City, NE; Brenda L (Brown) and Larry Lambert of Grand Island, NE; Robert E and Connie (Tegtmeier) Brown of Omaha, NE; and Rebecca S Brown of Omaha, NE. Grandchildren – Daniel & Marla Brown of Kearney, NE; Andrew & Denise Brown of Beaver City, NE; Michael & Abby Brown of Nevada, MO; Joseph & Brooke Lambert of Omaha, NE; Julie Brown of Grand Island, NE; Adam & April Lambert of Elkhorn, NE; Elizabeth and Christopher Brown of Omaha, NE; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Margaret Brown, of Cambridge, NE. He is welcomed into heaven by his parents Delbert & Anna (Straube) Brown; brother, C. Roland Brown, and wife LaVonne (Query) of Mapleton, IA; brother, F. Dean Brown, of Wilsonville, NE; brother-in-law, James Holtze, and wife Velma (Nicholson) of Wilsonville, NE; nephews ,Tommy Brown and Rodger Holtze; and niece, Margene Holtze. Darrel enjoyed his family and will be missed by all. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing & visitation will be Saturday, April 4, 2015 from 10 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home in Beaver City, Nebraska and prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be Monday, April 6, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Faith Community Church in Beaver City, Nebraska with Pastor Daryl Kats, officiating. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Beaver City, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Beaver City, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.