Hildreth "Hil" Brammer Monahan was born on March 18, 1930 in Bingham, Nebraska to Elmer and Edithe (McCarty) Brammer, and passed away on April 30, 2025 in Alliance, Nebraska at the age of 95.
Hil was the 8th of nine children. Edithe passed away when Hil was seven years old, and her older sisters helped raise her and the younger brothers. Hil attended school in Bingham and graduated with one other classmate. After graduation, she received her teacher's certificate from Chadron State College, and taught in a country school south of Ashby for two years. She saved enough money to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for one year.
During the two summers before graduating from high school, Hil helped out the cook at the Monahan Cattle Company ranch near Hyannis. It was there she met James A. Monahan, her future husband. After finishing college in Lincoln, they were married on August 20, 1950 in Bingham.
Hil was immediately introduced to the ranch wife life as the garden and canning of produce were in full swing. One week following the wedding, the ranch cook passed away and Hil became the temporary cook. She continued to fill in, when needed, at the cookhouse for over 40 years.
Hil and James had four children: Bryan, Bob, Gerri, and Joan. Hil enjoyed sewing clothes for the family, knitting, embroidery, and needlework. Tending to her flower gardens brought her much joy. Hil was involved with the King's Daughters at church. Flying the American flag was special to Hil. She did all this while keeping an immaculate house. Hil was a wonderful cook and hostess. Christmas was her favorite holiday, especially when preparing the prime rib roast for the family gathering.
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her much joy.
Hil also enjoyed attending the kids' activities. She like to play bridge and other card games, and worked many crossword puzzles. Other interests were playing the organ, bowling, and weekend at the lake. Visiting with friends and family over a cup of coffee, the Nebraska Huskers, and most of all, Herefords were highlights.
Through the years, she embraced ranch life while raising her family. If she wasn't out working in the yards and garden, doing the ranch bookwork and purebred records, she was helping on the ranch wherever needed, from hauling cattle to the sale barn, raising chickens, gathering cattle on horseback, branding, and everything in between.
Hil was active in the Nebraska and American Hereford Auxiliary and the Nebraska Cow Belles. She dedicated her life to the Hereford world and in 1987 was named "Outstanding Hereford Woman" by the American Hereford Auxiliary.
Through the years, Hil and James traveled extensively. Their home away from home family vacations involved a tent, a pickup-topped camper, trailer, or one of their motorhomes. A lot of fall weekends were spent traveling to Lincoln for Husker football games with friends and family. Hil and James traveled abroad, attending three World Hereford Conferences.
Hil was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Edithe; sisters Arlene Boots, Francis Reed, Mildred Lineback, and Edna Grose; and brothers Hank Brammer, Don Brammer, Elmer Brammer Jr., and Richard "Dick" Brammer.
Survivors include her husband, James, of 75 years; children Bryan (LaRene) Monahan, Bob Monahan, and Joan (Dan) Phipps all on the ranch, and Gerri Monahan of Lincoln, NE. Grandchildren include Beth (Bob) Bush, Rocky (Melissa) Holm, Chedric Monahan, Marde (Zac) Thomas, Molly Monahan, Mark Monahan, Shantel (Travis) Lurz, John (fiancé Nikki) Monahan, and Sara (Jackson) Davis; 10 great grandchildren, three sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MDT at the Hyannis High School. Interment will be at the Hyannis Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. MDT at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home in Alliance, Nebraska
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials in Hil's memory to Grant County Rescue, PO Box 164, Hyannis, NE 69350; Sandhills Fire Protection District, PO Box 322, Hyannis, NE 69350; Bingham Lutheran Church, 1084 McAdoo Avenue, Bingham, NE 69335; or Highland Park Care Center, 1644 Sweetwater Avenue, Alliance, NE 69301.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com, with Bates-Gould Funeral Home of Alliance, NE in charge of arrangements.