Bud Brewer
Gerald Dean Brewer, affectionately known as Bud, was 88 years old when he died April 26, 2020, at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke. Bud was born Oct. 25, 1931, in Hiawatha, Nebraska, to John and Opal (Lines) Brewer.
His mother died when he was 2, and his father died when he was 12. At that time, he and his two sisters were taken in by their aunt, Ruth Jaeger, and raised alongside her children in Imperial, Nebraska, where he attended school and worked at the family business.
He joined the Navy and ended up on the USS Mansfield during the Korean War. After he completed his military service, he returned home and attended State Barber College in Pueblo, where he graduated in 1956. He then moved to Holyoke and worked as a barber, opening his own shop in 1959.
Along the way, he met Marjorie Evans, who was working at the county Extension office. She was his one true love, and they married on June 3, 1961, at the Haxtun Methodist Church. They completed their family when they adopted DeeAnn in 1967 and Sherri in 1969.
He operated Bud’s Barber Shop until 1970 when he began working at Smythe’s Department Store as an assistant manager. He purchased the store in 1972 and ran it until he sold it to Schmidts in 1991. They worked out a deal where he could once again operate a barber shop from inside the building. Bud was never one to sit still and continued to cut hair until he was 85.
Bud lived a lifetime of quiet service. He was active in the Holyoke United Methodist Church as a lay leader, in the choir, at the fair stand — wherever he was needed. He was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, where he served many times as worthy patron. Bud was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Dragon Booster Club.
He enjoyed woodworking, building and refinishing furniture and took great pride in his lawn and garden. Even this last year, Bud could be found outside working in the yard or at the high school attending whatever sporting event was on the calendar.
Bud’s family was first and foremost. He was present for and involved in the activities of his two daughters as they were growing up and cherished every moment spent with his five grandchildren. His wife, Marj, was the center of his universe. He was her partner, her companion and her caregiver until her last day.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Billie Hayes and Maxine Hiatt; and his wife, Marjorie, to whom he was faithfully devoted for 56 years.
He is survived by his daughter, DeeAnn Brewer and husband Steven Peist of Anthem, Arizona; daughter, Sherri Brewer and husband Kerry Blomme of Minden, Nebraska; grandchildren, Dalton and Cole Blomme and Emerald, Magnolia and Dashiell Peist; and beloved extended family members, treasured neighbors and irreplaceable friends.
Bud always had a kind word or a helping hand. He had a way with children and cut generations of hair. You could count on him for a “kiddo,” a “good gravy,” or “well I’ll be switched.” When we think of great men, the humble ones don’t always come to mind, but they should. Bud was a great man, and he will be missed.
Baucke Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.