Donald "Don" D. Brownlee, age 100, of Douglas, passed away on April 11, 2025, at the Legacy in Lincoln. Don was born on January 10, 1925, to Samuel & Zella (Ferguson) Brownlee in Douglas. He attended Douglas High School and graduated in the class of 1942. Don then attended the University of Nebraska for 1 year, and decided college wasn't for him.

Don married the love of his life, Inez A. Hartman, on December 13, 1947, at the Douglas United Methodist Church. They were blessed with 75 wonderful years of marriage, a true partnership built on faith, family, and hard work. Together, they were a team on the farm and in life, always supporting one another through the seasons. One of their shared joys was square dancing, traveling and Husker Basketball games with their friends. Their family originally grew when they took in Earl Hartman and after his graduation, his brother Kenneth came to live with them.

His career as a farmer started by raising chickens, dairy cattle and pigs as well as dryland farming. He would deliver cream and eggs to Lincoln.  He transitioned from dairy farming to raising beef cattle in 1972. An early bird by nature, he was always ready to start the day. He was known for his strong work ethic, green thumb, and love of animals. Don always had a dog by his side, enjoyed gardening and growing flowers and even kept a couple of horses —riding one himself at the age of 90. Don's life was marked by patience, humility, generosity, and quiet strength.

An active member of the Douglas United Methodist Church, Don lived his Christian values each day. He was also a proud Freemason, an active supporter of 4-H, and a frugal, wise businessman. He built a go-cart track and a treehouse for his grandchildren and never raised his voice—living with humility and kindness. Always generous and willing to lend a hand, Don quietly made life better for those around him.

Don and Inez spent over 20 winters in Texas, where Don became the local bicycle repairman, played shuffleboard and pool, and hosted large patio dinners with family and friends. He especially cherished those days as a "Winter Texan."

He is survived by his daughter Marcee Brownlee and son-in-law Larry Furtwangler, Kenneth Hartman and his wife Ruth, his grandchildren Jessica Sheil, Marc Sheil and his wife Jordyn, Lyndsey Sheil, Haley Greggs and her husband Chris, Jacob Furtwangler, Donalee Kennedy and her husband Dan, Cindy Hartman, Jerry Hartman and Christie, his great grandchildren Casey Doolan and Avianna Greggs and many bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren, brother-in-law Merlin Hartman and his wife Connie, also many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Zella Ferguson, wife Inez, grandson Nolan Furtwangler, great grandson Isaiah Sheil, brother Lamoine and sister-in-law Margaret, brother-in-law Wayne and Betty Hartman.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the Douglas United Methodist Church in Douglas, NE. Burial will follow at the Rosehill Cemetery in Douglas.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 16 from 5-7 p.m. with family greeting friends at the funeral home in Syracuse.

Memorials are suggested to the Masonic Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont or Rosehill Cemetery in Douglas.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com