Albert J Brass, 83, of Sargent, Nebraska, died on February 28, 2001, at his home. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 3, 2001, at 2:00 p.m. at Rhoad Funeral Home in Sargent, Nebraska, with Pastor Mark Crist officiating. Music was provided by Marty Robbins, soloist, and Dan Sasek, organist Casketbearcrs were Jim Ash, Delmar Brass, Darryl Buckbcc, Patrick O'Brien, Bob Brass, Dennis Brass, Brad Jakubowski, and Al Smith. Burial was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sargent, with Military Service by American Legion Post #104 Albert was bom on November 22, 1917, to Edith Joslyn and Bert Brass, on the Brass Ranch west of Comstock, Nebraska In 1919 he moved with his family to Sargent, Nebraska Following his graduation from Sargent High School m 1936, he attended Kearney State College and later taught school in rural Custer County for four years During the summer of 1941, Albert completed technical training in sheet metal at a school in Denver Then he moved to Burbank, California, where he obtained work at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation Al stayed in Burbank with his brothers Robert and Garold and friend Leroy Matousek until he entered military service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1943 Albert served in the Army Air Corps and was stationed at 1 Hardwick, England, in the 8th Air Force He flew in 13-24 Liberation Bombers and completed 17 missions over Germany during World War II During this time he was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars and the Air Medal with one Bronze Cluster Following his honorable discharge in November 1945, Al returned to his hometown and operated Sargent's only Ice Cream Parlor From 1947 to 1951 he was associated with Spelts Lumber Company in Sargent, Grand Island, and Kearney On December 27, 1950, Al mame d Margaret Wink of Kearney, and on December 27, 2000, they joyfully celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary Their union was blessed with two children Greg was born on November 17,1951, and Patricia wa s bom on December 1, 1954 Albert farmed with his uncle, Roy Brass, for five years and then worked for Co-op for three years Al and Peg purchased an acreage and moved their family north of Sargent in 1957 In 1959, Al became an insurance agent for Bankers Life of Nebraska which lie expanded to a General Agency in 1962 After his retirement in 1980, Al greatly enjoyed playing golf, maintaining a garden, watching Cornhusker football and spending time with grandchildren and nieces and nephews Al was a lifetime member of Benhart-Klapal Post #104 of the American Legion and held numerous offices in that organization He was a Charter Member of Elks Lodge 2371 at Ord Nebraska Albert also served on the Sargent School Board, the Sargent Township Board, the Sargent Library Board as well as the Custer County Board of Supervisors He became a member of the United Methodist Church of Sargent in 1940 and continued to exhibit his Christian faith by supporting his family m prayer and church attendance. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, son Greg of Sargent, granddaughter Mandy Brass of Rudy, Arkansas, and daughter Pat Reynolds and her husband John and their children Sarah and Michael of Simi Valley, California, brother Jack Brass and sister Nellie Smith of Sargent, and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends He was preceded in death bv his parents, brothers Robert, Garold, Ellwyn, Edwin, Loren, and Wendell, sisters Maleda and Evalin He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and associates
Contributor: Terry Wilmoth -Jepsen (47545613)