Ronald Lee Brewster

Nov. 26, 1937-March 18, 2011

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ronald Lee Brewster, 73, passed away Friday (March 18, 2011), at Community Hospital in McCook.

Ronald was born Nov. 26, 1937, in Norwood, Missouri to Walter Marion and Phyllis Marie (Mulkey) Brewster. He was one of seven children. Ronald attended school in Norwood before moving to Loomis, Nebraska in August 1952. He graduated from high school in 1955.

Following his graduation, Ronald served his country in the United States Air Force. He entered the service on March 28, 1956, and was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ronald was honorably discharged on March 28, 1960, with the rank of Airman First Class.

On March 11, 1961, Ronald married Donna Lee Hill in Arapahoe, Nebraska. To this union two children were born. Ronald worked for Cole Carlson Well Drilling in Loomis, Nebraska, moving to McCook in 1963 to begin surveying for the Bureau of Reclamation.

In 1981, Ronald and Donna moved to Medicine Creek Dam near Cambridge, Nebraska to begin his new position as Dam Superintendent. Ronald retired from the Bureau of Reclamation in 1997.

Throughout his lifetime, Ronald enjoyed collecting a variety of items, and his hobbies included hunting, fishing and boating. He served on the KRD Credit Union Board and was a member of the First Baptist Church. Ronald was active in his church, serving as moderator, worship leader, and choir member.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Johnnie R. Brewster.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Brewster of McCook; son, Johnnie (Linda) Brewster and their son, David of McCook; daughter, Kathy Van Boening of Juniata, Nebraska, and her children, Chris (Amanda) Van Boening and family, Jackson, Xander and Phoenix of Hastings, Nebraska, and Andrea Van Boening, fiancé, Tyler Peterson and daughter, Savannah of Hastings; brother, Robert Brewster of North Platte, Nebraska; and sisters, Evelyn (Johnny) Nelson of Holdrege, Nebraska, Carolyn (Jim) Fulmer of Simla, Colorado, Judy Hunt of Holdrege and JoAnn (Robert) Howsden of Princeton, Missouri. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ronald's name.

Funeral services are Wednesday, 2 p.m., at the McCook United Methodist Church.

Visitation is Tuesday at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home from 1-8 p.m.

Burial with Military Honors will follow the funeral service in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Please visit the website at www.carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook or leave a message of condolences for the family.

Carpenter Breland Funeral of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.