Bryan Burrows

Bryan Burrows

Bryan Burrows was born March 10, 1931, to Hazel and Paul Burrows on his grandparents Rush farm north of Rushville.He passed away on May 26, 2023. He grew up farming and ranching with his father on the farm south of Hay Springs. He graduated from Hay Springs High School and spent two years at Chadron State College, then was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict.

After serving his two years in the military, he returned home and met the love of his life, Lavonne Davis. They were married on November 17, 1957. They had five children during their lifelong marriage: Marlys (Roy) Fiscus, Carol (Steve) Elwood, Alynn (BJ) Peters, Della (Tim) Skeen, and Clifford Burrows. Bryan and Lavonne also enjoyed fifteen grandchildren, Brent, Ryan, and Lauren Fiscus; Rachel and Aaron Buettner, Abby Weber, Nic Elwood; Brad, Adam, Kyle, and Kendra Peters; Alex Skeen, Amanda MacEachern, and Andrew Skeen; and Ashley Burrows; and thirteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Rose Burrows, sister Jane and brother-in-law Gary Steihle, and many nieces and nephews.

Bryan loved his occupation as a rancher. He ran a cow-calf ranch all his working life and loved watching the pairs out his kitchen window in the spring. He was a very experienced horseman with a lariat and a bullwhip and enjoyed riding his main cattle horse, Farbo.

Bryan was honored to be selected for the Elders Wisdom program in 2018. He received the Ak Sar Ben one hundred-year Pioneer Farm award in 1984, and the American Legion Quilt of Valor one week before his passing, along with many other awards and recognitions throughout his life.

Bryan was also involved with many organizations. He served as Council President many terms at Immanuel Lutheran Church, was Master and Secretary for Masonic Blue Lodge for many years, was Secretary for Chadron York Rite Bodies for many years. He also was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, KYCH, and the Shriners. He also served on the board at Federal Land Bank. He really enjoyed the fellowship of these organizations. 

Anyone who knew Bryan knew they were welcome at his kitchen table for a cup of coffee and a visit. You would be met with a smile and a firm handshake. He always enjoyed making a long story even longer. He talked of the history of this area and enjoyed his neighbors. Always willing to loan out his equipment or lend a helping hand.

His sense of humor would lend itself to earning yourself a nickname which matched your personality. Each of us children had a nickname which he thought represented us. The grandchildren also received these names out of his affection for them.

Bryan was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Paul, his loving wife Lavonne, his brother Edward, sister Janis and brother-in-law George Wulf, sister Onda and brothers-in-law Orvis West and Gene Hupp, sister-in-law Lois and Mark Sine, brothers-in-law Norman and Norma Davis, Melvin and Ruth Davis and son-in-law Tim Skeen.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 2, 2023, 10:00am at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, and burial in the Fairview Cemetery, Rushville, Nebraska. A memorial has been established and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.