Mary Claire Brown

Mary Claire Brown, 95, of Spalding, NE, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2026, at Burwell Community Health Center, Burwell, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2026, at St. Michael’s Church in Spalding, NE with Fr. Lawrence Vadakkan officiating. Interment will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Spalding, NE. Visitation will be 4:30-6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the church with a 6:15 p.m. wake service.

Memorials may be directed to the Bud & Claire Brown Endowment through Spalding Academy.

Levander Funeral Home of Spalding is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Claire (Hanigan) Brown was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who lived with class and a feisty spirit.

Claire was born in Spalding, Nebraska on July 10, 1930, to Carlisle and Kathleen Hanigan. She moved to Denison, Iowa with her family at the age of 7, where she grew up and later graduated from Denison High School.

She attended Briar Cliff College and graduated with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in French. After college, Claire spent two years teaching – her first in Ottumwa, Iowa and her second in Albion, Nebraska. 

Claire married Ralph (Bud) Brown, on June 12, 1954, in Denison, Iowa. Together, they made their home and raised their family in Spalding, Nebraska where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

While raising her family, Claire enjoyed coaching volleyball at Spalding Academy for many years. She and Bud began Brown’s Tax Service and later Claire opened her own home office where she served the people of Spalding and the surrounding communities.

Her loves in life included her family, baking, cooking, traveling, playing cards and a good scotch.

Claire was a steward of her faith as a member of St. Michael’s Church and active member of St. Ann’s Altar Society.

Her spirit is carried on by her brother, Dan Hanigan, children: Susan (Mac) Brown of Lexington, KY; Terry (Debbie) Brown of Frankfort, KY; Nancy (Lin) Jeffres of Burwell, NE and Karen Linderman of Lincoln, NE; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren (plus two more great-grandchildren on the way).

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings: Tom Hanigan, Celeste Hanigan, and LaGene Webb.