Cermit Boyce Brown

Cermit Boyce Brown, age 83, of Culbertson, NE passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Hillcrest Caring Center in McCook, NE, after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

Cermit was born on February 26, 1940, to Morris H. and Roxie M. (Schmidt) Brown south of Trenton, NE, and, along with his twin, Calvin, was one of 5 sons. As his mother was born in Alberta, Canada, Cermit was proud of his dual citizenship in Canada and the US.

Cermit attended school in Trenton and graduated from Culbertson High School with the Class of 1958. He then went on to attend McCook College, Kearney State College, Kansas State University (B.S.), and the University of Oregon where he earned a M.S. in Mathematics.

Cermit married Marjorie Cole of Trenton on Aug. 26, 1962 and they celebrated their 61st anniversary this year. A lifelong farmer, Cermit also taught math and computer science for over forty years in Giltner, Hastings, McCook, and Wauneta-Palisade. He taught at Wauneta-Palisade School for over thirty of those years, running concessions for school sports and taking teams to math and computer science competitions.

Cermit was a member of New Life Fellowship in Culbertson and actively served his church and community organizations, including the church board, school board of Culbertson, Riverside Irrigation Company, Boveau Canyon Gun Club, and Gideons International. Alongside hobbies of hunting, woodworking, and computer networking, he enjoyed creating an illustrated farm story book The Little Green Truck to share with his children and grandchildren. Cermit was passionate about his family, hosting sixteen foster children and serving as guardian for his cousin’s son, Victor.

Cermit was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Morris (Merrill) and twin Calvin.

Cermit is survived by his wife, Marjorie Brown of Culbertson; children, Sondra Short (Gene) of St. Paul, NE, Nathan Brown (Lori) of Omaha, NE, Justus (Richard Ashmore) of London, UK, Aaron (Michelle) Wehrly of Gretna, NE and Christian Sullivent of Culbertson, NE; twelve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jeremy Brown of Eugene, OR and Merlin Brown of McCook, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A Greeting of Family & Friends will be held from 5 to 7pm on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, McCook.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Friday, December 1, 2023 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, McCook, with Pastor Rick Bradley officiating.

Inurnment will follow in the Trenton Cemetery, Trenton, NE, with a dessert reception to follow at New Life Fellowship Church in Culbertson, NE

Memorial contributions are suggested to Gideons International, PO Box 792, McCook, NE 69001; Community Healthcare Home Health and Hospice, 1301 East H St., McCook NE 69001; or the Mathematics & Science Academic Division of Mid-Plains Community College, 1205 East 3rd Street, McCook, NE 69001.