Obituary of Donald "Gene" Brouwer

Donald Eugene Brouwer was the first born child of Jacob (Jake) and Lila (Loutzenhiser) Brouwer having entered this world on July 21, 1946 at the Flagler Hospital (?). As he grew he became affectionately known as “Donny Gene”. His parents came from large families and having lots of little cousins around, one of them evidently could not pronounce “Donny” as it always came out “Johnny Gene”. His mother didn’t like the sound of that since it wasn’t a derivative of his given name and after a time, he became known just as, Gene. From an early age, he always had his hands in the soil and was a natural born farmer at heart. One Sunday afternoon, his parents had invited the pastor out after church for dinner. After the meal, the pastor relaxed on the sofa and took his shoes and socks off. As the adults were steeped in conversation no one observed that Gene had taken the socks outside nor what his intentions were with them. Shortly thereafter, Gene returned and offered the pastor a present. He returned the socks filled to the top with sand! His parents faithfully took him to church attending Sunday School and Baptist Youth Fellowship, or BYF as it was known, and Wednesday evening services. He received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at an early age. While on a BFY weekend retreat to Bonny Reservoir, he learned to water ski and later owned his own ski boat for his children and grandchildren to enjoy. Later in life, he would hold several positions in the church which included being a Sunday School teacher, trustee, financial committee, pulpit committee, a deacon, and even singing in the choir. He enjoyed the men’s fellowship breakfasts and helped out at the Sweetheart Banquets the men of the church prepared for the ladies. When Gene was in second grade a blonde-haired beauty catch his fancy and he started a friendship with an ‘older woman’ – Dianna Kay Edwards, who was also called by her middle name of Kay. Even though there was a span of time when they were not in a “dating relationship”, it was later in high school that they started going steady and eventually got engaged. They married on July 24, 1964. To their delight they had two boys, Lonnie Eugene and Marion Lynn. Gene and Kay joyously celebrated their 50th anniversary this year with friends and family at a dinner held in their honor at the home of their son, Marion, and wife Kathy. Gene worked hard at his life’s profession – farming and ranching. He educated himself through the years and probably achieved what would have been equivalent to degrees in farm finance, agri-business, chemistry, agronomy, mechanics, taxation, managing agricultural governmental documentation, soils, carpentry work, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine and any number of other skills required for farming and ranching. The family appreciated very much his insightful knowledge and advice. With his dream to become the next Sky King, he earned his pilots license to fly his own Cessna and constructed a small airport in the west forty. Gene was an inventor and adapted many pieces of equipment to be more efficient. He was a gifted farmer and was honored for his hard work and receive many awards such as the Honorary Chapter Farmer degree from the Flagler High School FFA Chapter and the Outstanding Cooperator from the USDA Soil Conservation District. Gene volunteered his time and wisdom by serving on several Board of Directors such as the FFA, Farm Service Agency, Flagler High Plains Bank, and the Flagler Farmers Coop. For a long-legged ole cowboy, Gene loved to go to dances at the American Legion. Kay and Gene were a beautiful site to watch out on the dance floor. For decades they enjoyed playing pitch with the members of the card club. Believe it or not, a break took place during the work day so he could fulfill one of his passions - watching “As the World Turns” during the lunch hour! His ornery side would emerge on Halloween when he would dress up in a scary mask and coveralls and drive to the neighbor’s homes to ‘trick-or-treat’. He would creep you out because he wouldn’t even say a word but just stand there holding out his bag to receive a treat, and then, quietly turn around and leave. Spooky. Gene enjoyed children and giving them rides on the big farming equipment. He had bought a bag of Flamin’ cheetoz for his nephew, Jesse, one afternoon before giving him a ride on the big 9330 John Deere. Jesse offered his Uncle Gene one of those flamin’ hot cheetoz and Gene learned the powerful meaning of ‘spicy hot’. He couldn’t understand why anyone would want to eat those things! He was wishing he had an Arnold Palmer to wash it down followed by a piece of cherry pie ale mode. Becoming ill around the first of December, Gene entered the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora on December 4th. On the last visit to the hospital on Saturday morning, December 13, the family learned the grave news about Gene’s health condition. Being considerate to the last hours of his life, he told the family later in the afternoon, “Well, I’ve got a couple more weeks so you just as well go home”. He beat his first bout of cancer in 2003 but it wasn’t to be this time as the next day the Lord called Gene to his Heavenly home on Sunday, December 14, at 4:00 p.m. Gene is survived by his wife, Kay, and sons Lonnie Eugene and close friend, Buffy, and Marion Lynn and wife, Kathy; a brother, Larry, and wife, Marianne, of Grosse Ile, Michigan; two sisters, Jan Brandt of Northglenn, CO and Wanda Faivre and husband Steve of San Diego, California; sister-in-laws Marie Hill and Frances Weatherly; and, brother-in-law, David Edwards, and wife, Pat, all of Flagler. Gene was a loving grandfather to Bethany and husband, Theron, of Arriba, Josiah, Terrill, Seth, and Makayla, and a Great-grandfather to Owen, Brealyn, and Declan Brent. Gene also left behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.