Dennis Lee Brass

Dennis Brass, 77 Kearney resident Dennis Lee Brass, 77, of Kearney died Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at his home surrounded by family. A celebration of life service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2015 at the Kearney First United Methodist Church, 4500 Linden Drive, with the Rev. Gary Main and Rev, Samm Johnston officiating. Memorials are suggested to Aseracare Hospice or the Kearney Area Humane Society. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Dennis was born March 14, 1938, on the Brass Ranch west of Comstock, NE to Ellwyn and Esther (Metcalf) Brass. He attended Coberg Rural School, arriving many days on horseback. He graduated from Sargent High School in 1956 where he participated in football, basketball, FFA and was a member of the National Honor Society. On August 8, 1959, he married Maxine Bartu at the Sargent United Methodist Church. After working for the Sargent Co-Op a short time, he began his dream of having his own land and cattle. He was the first in the Comstock area to raise Chianina cattle, many of them selected for 4-H calves and shown at Aksarben and the Denver Stock Show. Dennis' love for the land prompted him to conserve it, maintain it and make improvements to enhance its productivity. Dennis loved animals and was very compassionate in caring for them. He enjoyed spending long hours in the pasture, hand feeding cake to the cows and bulls, even scratching the backs of his favorites. In addition, he loved horses, cats, dogs, and a multitude of wild animals. In 2007, Dennis and Maxine moved to Kearney, NE. In retirement he enjoyed following the stock market, taking care of the yard, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends. Dennis is survived by Maxine, his wife of 55 years, his two daughters, Rhonda Wingo and her husband Marshall, Julie Young and Scott McElwee, and grandson, Riley Wingo, all of Austin, TX; sister, Betty Johnson of Lincoln; brother, Roy Brass of Alliance; brother-in-law, Bryce Bartu and his wife Phyllis of Grand Island, NE, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Verne. Dennis was a humble man, never wanting to be in the limelight or inconvenience anyone but always working hard for a worthy cause.

Dennis Lee Brass

March 14, 1938 - May 26, 2015