Bryce Deboer

In the fall of 1924 George and Effie Dyer DeBoer read the book, Valley of the Giants. In this story, a baby boy was born and he was named Bryce. He grew to be 6' 4" tall and had red hair like his mother's. He was a lumberjack who loved the land. He was a strong, gentle man. He had strong moral character and was filled with integrity.

On December 22, 1924 George and Effie's first son was born and they named him Bryce after the "hero" in the book. He also had red hair like his mother and grew to be 6' 4" tall. He had many of the same loving and caring characteristics and also had a great love for the land. Bryce was born at Johnson Lake, NE. He graduated from Elwood High School, Elwood NE.

He married Vivian Brown on January 15, 1944 in Oberlin, KS. After an honorary discharge from the Air Transport Command U.S. Army Air Corp, he started farming/ranching north of Cozad. During this time he supported the American Agriculture Movement and drove his 1952 Farmall tractor to Washington DC in the late 70's. Bryce was a member of the Berean Fundamental Church and was an Elder on the board. He also served as a Gideon.

During his long wonderful life he made many friends and helped many people. He was admired and respected by everyone he met.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian DeBoer of Cozad; daughter, Patti (Greg) Andries of Colorado Springs, CO; son, David (Carol) DeBoer of Cozad, NE; eight brothers and sisters: Ilene (Fred-deceased) Gengenbach of Cozad, NE; George (Beverly) DeBoer of Omaha, NE; Leon - deceased (Betty) DeBoer of Cozad, NE; Colleene (Eldon-deceased) Heller of Camas, WA; Stan (Bonnie) DeBoer of Bertrand, NE; Craig (Nancy) DeBoer of Wichita, KS; Valerie (Bill) Geiger of Cozad, NE; and Byron (Jolene) DeBoer of Bertrand, NE; five grandchildren: Warren Andries of Aspen, CO; Devra DeBoer of Bertrand, NE; Bret (Tracy) Andries of Silverthorne, CO; Shane (Stacie) DeBoer of Victoria, KS, and Janae (Chris) Bebb of Falcon, CO; and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at the American Lutheran Church in Cozad, NE at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 19th with Pastor Roger Daum and JC Calhoun officiating. Visitation will be Friday 9-5 at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg and 6-8 at the American Lutheran Church in Cozad with a Prayer Service at 7 pm. Interment will be at the Elwood Cemetery east of Elwood, NE at 2:30 pm, Saturday, July 19, 2008. Memorials may be directed to The DeBoer Family, 76779 Road 721, Cozad, NE 69130 or to the charity of donor's choice.

Online condolences may be given to the family at www.blasestrauser.com