Albert Brown

Albert Brown, 93, of Lewellen, passed away Sunday morning, December 24, 2023 at the Regional West Garden County Nursing Home.

Private burial will be held in the Ash Creek Cemetery near Lewellen with a Memorial Service to be held in the spring.

Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home and Cremations in Oshkosh is serving the Brown family. 

Memorials in Albert’s name can be made to the Lewellen Tiger Den or the Regional West Garden County Foundation- Nursing Home.

Albert Louis Brown, the son of Louis Franklin Brown and Minnie Louisa (Taylor) Brown, was born on April 21, 1930 at Lewellen, NE. Long time Garden County residents, his paternal grandparents, Steven & Phoebe Brown homesteaded north of Lewellen about 1900, and his maternal grandparents, Win & Louisa Taylor ranched southwest of Lewellen since 1900. He attended grade school at District 8, east of Oshkosh and graduated from Garden County High School in 1948.

On June 3, 1951 he married the love of his life, Bonna Merle Lance at the Lisco Presbyterian Church. Albert and Bonna Merle were blessed with two children, Teresa Ann and Terry Kent. Albert worked for Irvie Waltman as a well driller, a ranch hand for August Buske and in 1955 moved to his present home northeast of Lewellen. He rented this farm until 1965, when he was able to purchase it. He also worked during the winter months for nine years at the Great Western Sugar Factory at Ovid, Co. In 2015, Albert was awarded the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award for his family's 105 years ownership of his family's farm, 7 ½ miles northeast of Lewellen.

Albert was a member of the Lewellen Methodist Church, where he served on the Administrative Board, served on the Blue Creek Irrigation Board, Ash Hollow Cemetery Board, and was a Bank of Lewellen Board Member.

In October 2017, he entered the nursing home in Oshkosh, with Alzheimer’s. Those who cared for him there, loved him for his wit, willingness to help others and his never-ending kind heart for everyone.

Albert is survived by daughter, Teresa McKeeman of Oshkosh; son, Terry and wife LeAnn Brown of Lewellen; four grandchildren, Carla and husband, Dutch Orr, Abbey Brown, Chris and wife Beth Ardissono, Amy and John Ragsdale; three step-grandchildren, Todd and wife Shar McKeeman, Tammy Unger and Paul Blume, and Tara and husband Sean Fries; six great-grandchildren; eleven step great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Bonna Merle in 2008; brothers, Virgil, Russell and Stephen;  and son in law James McKeeman.