Ward G. Bryan

Funeral services for Ward Bryan will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Dale Lambert officiating. Interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Ward Gail Bryan, 92 years of age of Holdrege, died on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Holdrege Memorial Homes. He was born November 2, 1918 in Harlan County, near Ragan, the second of seven children to Will and Ruth (Black) Bryan. He attended grade school at District #50 in Harlan County and graduated from Ragan High School in 1936. He was the last surviving member of his graduating class. Following his education, Ward served his country in the United States Army during WWII until his honorable discharge on May 25, 1943.

On May 19, 1944 he was united in marriage to Gloria Hollertz. They lived west of Ragan, before moving to their family farm in March 1947. Their three children: Steve, Joyce, and Carol were all raised on "Busy B Ranch."

Ward was cherished by family and friends with fond memories as he:

• Played baseball until he was 40 years old

• Loved Hereford cattle, drove Case tractors, and harvested corn and wheat

• Served as a 25-year member of the Holdrege Rural Fire Board, serving as President for many years from 1980-2004

• Honored with 1965 Harlan County Soil & Water Conservation District Conservation Award

• Received the 1999 Nebraska Hereford Association Commercial Cattleman Award

• Was an 80+ year member of the First United Methodist Church

Mr. Bryan was preceded in death by his parents, two stillborn sons, grandson Craig Steven Bryan, brother George Bryan, sisters-in-law: Trudy Bryan and Isla Bryan, brothers-in-law Bill Heldenbrand, Rodney Swanson, Charles Ridenour, and Bill Harms.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Gloria, and his three children: Steve Bryan and his wife, Kathy of Holdrege; Joyce Strout and her husband, Dan of Chicago, Illinois; and Carol Easley and her husband, Jerry of Lincoln, Nebraska; Five grandchildren: Karna and her husband, Gianfranco Arcieri of Sarzana, Italy; Kendra and her husband, Rob Schmidt of Holdrege; Bryan Easley and his wife, Kallie of Lincoln; Kelley Strout of Houston, Texas; and Craig Easley of Lincoln; Six great-grandchildren: Sydnie and Shelby Schmidt of Holdrege; Dario, Giordano, and Marco Arcieri of Italy; and Landon Easley of Lincoln; Siblings: Louise Harms of Wilcox; Thelma Ridenour of Holdrege; Wilma Brummer and her husband, Hap of Wilcox; Chester Bryan of Turlock, CA; and Donna Guthrie and her husband, Cecil of Holdrege… and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege, Holdrege Rural Fire Board, or the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

*Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.