Hazel Vera (Osburn) Brown passed away at Good Samaritan Society in Valentine, NE on August 4, 2016. She was born to Bert and Lillian (Clayton) Osburn at the homestead south of Sparks, NE on June 6, 1923. She attended grade school at the rural school south of Sparks. She then attended the first two years of high school at Sparks and finished high school in Valentine.
Hazel was united in marriage to John Leroy Brown on August 23, 1941. They lived on various farms and ranches in the area until they moved to Crookston, NE in 1956. They purchased the old rail road house and moved it to the present sight in 1958. They continued to live there until moving to an apartment in Valentine in 2004.
Hazel was a wife and mother; she was a seamstress, hairdresser, café cook and then a postmaster. She was a member of the United Methodist Church when they lived in Crookston and then in Valentine. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women's Circle, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Hazel enjoyed making wedding cakes and gardening but her greatest joy was her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Lillian Osburn, husband John who died in 2009, son Terry who died in 1949 and Albert who died in 1999, siblings Russel Osburn, Robert Osburn, Bernice Osburn and Helen (Osburn) Olson. Hazel is survived by sons Darvin (Sharon) Brown of Thedford and Ronnie (Kathy) Brown of Valentine; daughter-in-law, Diane Donnelly, 9 grandchildren; Johnny (Kristi) Brown, Trina (George) Mintle, Bert (Lynn) Brown, Anthony (Paula) Brown, Troy (Angie) Brown, Charley (Erin) Brown, Buddy (Kristina) Brown, Henry (Misty) Brown, and Sally (Jeff) Brecks, 25 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Bonny Copeland of Salina, KS, Betty Copeland of Valentine, NE, and brothers Dick (Letha) Osburn of Cairo, NE, and Ray (Florence) Osburn of Valentine, NE.
Funeral service for Hazel Brown was held Friday, August 12, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Valentine. Burial followed at Sparks Cemetery. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with funeral arrangements.