John "Brownie" DeKrey

Published December 06, 2016 at 6:57 PM

John Edward "Brownie" DeKrey, 93, Pettibone, ND passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Jamestown, ND on December 2, 2016.

Brownie was born on July 30, 1923 at the family farm to John Jr. and Hannah (Begeman) DeKrey. He was raised on that farm and spent his whole life in Weiser Township only leaving to attend two years of college at NDAC(NDSU). Brownie graduated from Pettibone High School in 1940.

Brownie was married to Alpha (Whitman) DeKrey the love of his life on June 9, 1951 in Robinson, ND. They met at his brother's wedding (Fred) to Alpha's sister (Faye) a year earlier. For 65 years they farmed and ranched and made their home and raised their family a half mile north of the family farm.

Brownie was a very community minded participant; he belonged to the Weiser Congregational Church his whole life, and served on the Larger Parish Board as a member and its chairman. He also served as a 4-H leader, the Kidder County Farm Bureau Board, Precinct Committeeman for the local Republican Party, over 50 year member of the Eastern Star and 69 years as a ND Mason, serving both as Worthy Patron and elected Worshipful Master for 7 terms, he served for 9 years on the Kidder County ASCS (FSA) Board and served as chairman, Weiser Cemetery Board, Weiser Township Board, and charter member of the Pettibone Lions Club. He also sold Nodak Mutual Insurance for many years.

Brownie is survived by his wife Alpha, his children, twin daughters Deborah (David) Strand, Kindred, ND, Diane (LeRoy) Krupke, Carrolton, TX, Duane (Jan) DeKrey, Carrington, ND, Linda (Terry) Dammel, Crystal Springs, ND, Marlys (Claude) Christie, Jefferson, WI; brothers, R. James DeKrey, Sioux Falls, SD and Theodore DeKrey, Tappen, ND; 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Jr. and Hannah DeKrey, sister Henrietta "Betty", brothers Fred, Donald and David.

Memorial Service: 11:00 AM, Friday, December 9 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Pettibone, ND.

Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, December 8 at Eddy Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND with a prayer service to follow at 7:00 PM.

Online guest book: www.eddyfuneralhome.com