Marilyn A. Brownell-Hirsch, age 66, of North Platte, Neb., died January 12, 2010 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. Marilyn grew up in Crookston, MN, graduating from Cathedral High School in 1961. Marilyn attended St. Benedictine College in MN. She then spent two years in the Peace Corps, stationed in Uruguay.
After coming home she married Kenneth Brownell. To this union, three children were born, Joe, Nicole, and Robert. Marilyn continued her education, graduating with her bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College in 1966. She later received her Master’s degree from Kearney State.
Marilyn was involved in education around Nebraska for over 40 years, teaching Spanish at North Platte High School for over 20 years. On August 18, 1989, she married Sherman Hirsch in Julesburg, CO. Marilyn was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, an active Democrat, being chair for the Lincoln County Democrats, was a past president of the North Platte Area Retired School Personnel, a member of the Fun with Colors Cancer Survivor Group, and volunteered with the Mothers of Preschoolers group (MOPS). Marilyn will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend.
Survivors include her husband, Sherman Hirsch of North Platte; mother, Mildred Overgaard of Crookston, MN; children, Joe (Kim) Brownell of Colorado Springs, CO, Nicole Brownell of Tampa, FL and Robert (Nicole) Brownell of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Bradyn Brownell and Clay Brownell, both of Colorado Springs; 9 siblings, Sheldon (Diana) Myerchin of Sauk Rapids, MN, Deb (Greg) Myerchin of Grand Forks, ND, Harvey (Carolyn) Myerchin of Crookston, MN, Mary Beth (Don) Solheim of Crookston, MN, Ted (Cindy) Myerchin of Alta Loma, CA, Joyce (Gary) Klava of Austin, TX, Dale Myerchin of Crookston, MN, Audrey McNulty of Westminster, CO, Dennis (Delores) Myerchin of Crookston, MN; brother and sister-in-laws, Tom Brownell of North Platte, Trish (Tom) Mooberry of Lexington, NE, John (Merri) Brownell of Omaha and Chris (Cary) Rowin of Gig Harbor, WA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Walter; step-father Albert Overgaard; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Betty Brownell; 3 sister-in-laws, Letha Cole and Verna McClellen, Jean Myerchin; 2 brothers-in-law, James Brownell and Marty McNulty.
Memorials can be made to Maranatha Bible Camp; St. Patrick’s Catholic School Tuition Assistance; Nebraska Educational Television or the Public Broadcast System Radio, the memorials can be directed to Adams & Trust Bank at P.O.Box 189, North Platte, Nebraska 69103. Online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be Friday, January 15, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend James Novakowski as celebrant. Inurnment will be at a later date at the North Platte Cemetery.
Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
