Inez A. Brownlee

She was the oldest of three children, including brothers Wayne and Merlin. Inez attended country schools in her childhood and eventually graduated from Douglas High School in 1943. She had always wanted to be a teacher and attended Peru State College that summer after graduation. At the end of the summer she was approached by the Banner School District about teaching. Because of a teacher shortage she was able to test to become certified, and began her teaching career at age 16 in the Banner Country School. She would teach for 37 years at 7 different schools, Banner, Pleasant Prairie, Palmyra Public, District #66 Highway 2, Fairview, Norris and finally Bennet/District OR1. She retired in 1988. Some of her closest friends were her fellow teachers. During her teaching years she took summer school and night classes to attain her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska in 1965. She was a lifelong teacher and a lifelong student, believing that education was one of the most important aspects of life.

Inez, in addition to being a teacher, was a proud farm wife. She married Donald Brownlee on December 13, 1947 at the United Methodist Church in Douglas. The celebrated 75 years of marriage last December. She was an active partner on the farm, including raising chickens, geese, hogs, running a 100 cow dairy farm, and farming milo, wheat and corn. She was the egg washer, bucket calf feeder, chief cook and many more jobs that kept the farm running. She was very proud of the farm that she and Donald built together.

In 1952, Inez and Don opened their home to others. First was Earl Hartman, Inez’s cousin who came to live on the farm. He was in 9th grade, attend school in Douglas, and was tutored by Inez. He lived with them and worked on the farm until he graduated high school. Next came his brother Kenny Hartman, in 1955. Rumor has it that, although no one knew it, he had his bags packed for the farm, and when Don and Inez came to drop off Earl, he just went home with them. He was in 6th grade and lived with them until he graduated high school. Inez referred to him as “our boy”, becoming their son in almost every way. He became a partner in the farming business with Don and Inez, moved into home just up the hill from the homestead, and was a blessing to Inez and Don from the day he arrived until today.
Inez became a mother in 1966, when daughter Marcee was born. She was a very devoted mother, and although she took a short break from teaching, she was always teaching her children. Reading books, puzzles, encouraging learning through 4-H and other activities. Even after she returned to teaching, summers were spent working on Marcee’s projects, or traveling in the pickup camper with Marcee in tow.
After retiring from teaching Inez and Don travelled many places, and they became Winter Texans for 22 years. They spent 22 winters in Mission, Texas. Inez became an avid quilter, finishing 2 or more quilts a year. She enjoyed the companionship of the many people that they met during those years. She also became a grandmother to Jessica, and then later Marc, Lyndsey, Nolan, Haley and Jacob. She was as devoted a grandmother as she was a mother. She spent many hours, especially with Jessica and Marc on the farm. Grandma always had a project, or a game or some entertainment for the grandkids.
Inez was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Douglas, teaching Sunday School, Bible School, and participating in church activities. She had many close friends in her church family. She was a devoted member, and strong in her Christian faith.

She is survived by her husband, Donald, daughter Marcee and son-in-law Larry Furtwanger, her “boy” Kenneth Hartman and wife Ruth Hartman, her grandchildren, Jessica Sheil, Marc Sheil and his wife Jordyn, Lyndsey Sheil, Haley Furtwangler and Jacob Furtwangler, her brother Merlin Hartman and sister-in law Connie, nieces and nephews, and one great grandson Casey Doolan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Stella Hartman, brother Wayne and sister-in-law Betty, brother-in-law and sister-law-law Lamoine and Margaret Brownlee, and grandson Nolan Furtwangler.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday (1-27-23) Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive. Burial in the Rosehill Cemetery, Douglas, NE at 2:30 p.m.

Visitation with family present from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday (1-25-23) Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel.