Alvin W. Brettmann

Alvin William Brettmann, the son of Herman Brettmann and Emma (Vorderstrasse) Brettmann, was born on December 20, 1923, on the family farm southeast of Deshler , Nebraska . He passed away on August 11, 2011, at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 21 days. Alvin was baptized on January 13, 1924, at Peace Lutheran Church , Deshler , Nebraska and was confirmed on June 6, 1937. He was a faithful, lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church , Deshler. He attended country school and Peace Lutheran School in Deshler and graduated from Deshler High School in 1941. Alvin grew up during the "Dirty Thirties" and stayed home to farm during WWII. He was a farmer his entire life until retiring in 2008. Alvin enjoyed helping out on the farm until March of 2010 when his health declined. Alvin was united in marriage to Flora Hofts on January 4, 1953 at St. Paul 's Lutheran Church northwest of Deshler. This union was blessed with two sons, Steven and Scott.Alvin and Flora made their home on the home place until 1990, when they moved to Deshler. Alvin and Flora enjoyed traveling including trips to Hawaii , Europe and many spots in the US . Alvin was in 4-H as a young man, taking a calf to the State Fair. In addition to the enjoyment he got from farming he was involved in Thayer County Feeders, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and was on the Peace Lutheran Church Council. Family was Alvin 's greatest joy. He always made time for a family vacation, often to Colorado to his brother Paul's. He enjoyed visiting close family, extended family and friends. He was always ready for a card game or a conversation. In later years he was the family's historian. Alvin loved his life and always had a positive outlook. You could count on him to have a good time. One of his proudest moments was receiving the Aksarben Pioneer Family Farm Award for 100 years of ownership in 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Emma; his wife, Flora in 2007; and brother, Herb. He is survived by his two sons, Steven Brettmann of Hebron and Scott Brettmann and wife, Libby of Fremont; granddaughter, Shelby and grandsons, Jameson and Jackson; one brother, Paul Brettmann of Denver, CO; brothers-in-law, Lewis Hofts and Alfred Hofts both of Deshler; and sister-in-law, Fern Hofts of Lincoln; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.