Ralph "Bud" E. Brown

Ralph "Bud" E. Brown, 96, of Spalding, NE, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at St. Michael's Church in Spalding, NE with Fr. Lawrence Vadakkan and Deacon Paul Nordhues officiating. Interment will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery, Spalding, NE with Military Rites conducted by James Kessler American Legion Post #299 and the Navy Funeral Honor Guard. Visitation will be 5:00-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church with a 6:30 p.m. wake service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Spalding Academy Endowment Trust Fund in the name of Bud Brown.

Levander Funeral Home of Spalding, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Ralph "Bud" Edward Brown was a faith-filled man whose kindness and generosity touched each person he encountered in his 96 years.

He was born in Spencer, Nebraska on October 26, 1927, to Ralph and Madelyn (McCaffrey) Brown. Shortly thereafter, his home was settled in Spalding, Nebraska where he grew up and later raised his family.

In 1945, he served his country in the U.S. Navy and returned to graduate from Spalding Academy in 1946 after he was honorably discharged. A proud graduate of the Academy, Bud was sure to never miss an alumni banquet in the 77 years after his graduation.

Following his graduation and service to his country, he worked for Western Electric in South Dakota, S.E. Smith and Sons Lumber and Semper Electric.

He then returned home to Spalding to serve as the City Clerk and Superintendent of the Spalding Light Plant beginning in 1954. He later opened Brown Insurance Agency and Bud's Liquor Store, which ran until 1977. He also served as a rural mail carrier until he retired.

Bud married his wife, Claire, on June 12, 1954, and lovingly stayed by her side for almost 70 years.

Bud's pleasures in life were simple — faith, family, friends, and a good game of golf. Most of all, he loved and cared for his family, always ensuring their well-being before his own.

He showed kindness and grace to each person who walked through the threshold of his home, serving as an example to younger generations. Bud was always moved by a donation to anyone in need, but held a special place in his heart for charity to Spalding Academy.

Beyond the Academy, Bud extended his time and talents to St. Michael's Catholic Church, serving as the first co-chairman of the St. Michael's Improvement Fund, a member of the St. Michael's Men's Club, a St. Michael's trustee, and member of the American Legion.

His loyalty and benevolence spanned far beyond the Spalding city limits. He spent 43 years as the secretary treasurer of the Greeley County Fair Board. Additionally, he served as the Nebraska Fair Association president, vice president and director. Bud's decades of service were recognized in 1996 when he was named the Fairperson of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers.

His spirit is carried on by his wife, Claire Brown of Spalding, NE; children: Susan (Mac) McReynolds of Lexington, KY; Terry (Debbie) Brown of Frankfort, KY; Nancy (Lin) Jeffres of Burwell, NE and Karen Linderman of Lincoln, NE; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Dorothy Stokes, Bob Brown, and Dick Brown.