Roy N. Brabander

Roy N. Brabander, 92, of St. Libory, died Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at his home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Libory’s Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Rev. Sidney Bruggeman will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, with a 5:30 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Brabander was born on Oct. 15, 1917, on the family farm west of St. Libory, the son of Henry and Hansine (Jensen) Brabander. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Jansen on Dec. 30, 1941, at St. Libory. She preceded in him in death on May 10, 2000. He is survived by his daughter, Donna Jean Kozisek of St. Libory. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Milissa Kozisek and Kenneth and Elizabeth Kozisek, all of St. Libory, Karen and Darin Placke of Grand Island, Neil and Lori Kozisek of Broken Bow and Sharon and Brent Lind of Plano, TX; ten great-grandchildren, Cassandra Kozisek and Nicholas and Jacob Kozisek, all of St. Libory, Briana, Bishop and Braxton Placke of Grand Island, Tyler Kozisek of Broken Bow, and Aidan, Ethan and Noah Lind of Plano TX; and one sister-in-law, Lorraine Brabander of St. Libory. Roy grew up on the family farm and attended Howard County District No. 51 rural school. After his marriage to Elizabeth, the couple lived on their farm, on the Howard-Hall county line, raising watermelons, corn and feeding cattle, their entire married life. He was instrumental in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He retired from farming at age 75, but continued to be involved in the farming operation for many years; cooking meals, tending to day to day tasks and offering advice. His great-grandchildren remember him as ‘a great cook’. After retirement he traveled to San Diego, CA, Seattle, WA and Phoenix, AZ to visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the St. Libory’s Catholic Church and throughout his married life he was active in the parish, helping to build the church. He enjoyed polka music and country music, especially, Charley Pride. He was an avid card player and enjoyed playing pitch with his family, fishing, going to cattle sales, Sunday drives to check on the area feedlots and going out for family dinners. He also enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sports and activities and loved betting the ponies. In his later years he enjoyed watching television, especially “Seinfeld”, “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Married With Children”. Roy was a kind man, who shared a smile and friendly conversation with most everyone he encountered and he loved to laugh and tell stories. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law, George Kozisek; a sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Don Schroeder; and two brothers and one sister-in-law, Clarence Brabander and Louis and Annie Brabander. Memorials are suggested to the St. Libory Catholic Church, St. Libory Fire Department, St. Libory EMS or St. Francis Hospice.