Ralph Brostrom

Ralph Brostrom, 90 of Grand Island died Thursday, August 10, 2017 at Riverside Lodge, Grand Island, NE.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Caroline Price-Gibson officiating. Burial will be in Grand Island Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by United Veterans Honor Guard of Grand Island and United States Army Honors Team, Lincoln, NE. Visitation hours will 5-8 p.m., Monday, August 14, 2017 at the Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Grand Island Educational Foundation Brostrom Family Scholarship or First Presbyterian Church. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Ralph Brostrom was born November 20, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York the son of Gustave R. & Dagmar E. (Christensen) Brostrom. He grew up in Long Island, New York, graduating from Andrew Jackson High School with the class of 1945. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force at Fort Dix, New Jersey serving in the Army Air Corps from 1945 to 1947. He went on to graduate from Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney, now the University of Nebraska Kearney where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1950 later attending the University of Wyoming where he earned a Masters degree in Education Administration. In 1962 he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was awarded a specialization certificate

He was united in marriage to Lillian C. Benner, May 29, 1948 in Grand Island, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Page, Nebraska where he began his career in 1950 as a teacher and basketball coach at Page High School, later serving as Superintendent. He joined the Grand Island Public Schools in the fall of 1955 where he taught at Lincoln Elementary School for five years, was principal at Jefferson Elementary for eight years, was principal at Dodge Elementary for 15 years and finished his 35 year career in Grand Island as Principal of Starr Elementary for seven years, retiring in 1990. His wife Lillian preceded him in death, April 24, 2003.

He was a lifetime member of the Nebraska Association of Retired School Administrators, life time member of the PTA and upon retirement, was a volunteer at the Red Cross and served as a mentor for elementary students. He enjoyed golf, high school sports, Husker Football and spending time with his family, especially following his three grandchildren in their activities.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday school teacher.

Prior to death, he was a resident of Riverside Lodge for five years where he received excellent care and regarded the staff as part of his family.

Those left to cherish his memory include two sons & daughters-in-law, Brady M. & Janice Brostrom of Lincoln, Nebraska, Kevin A. & Beverly Brostrom of Grand Island, Nebraska, grandchildren, Christopher M. Brostrom & Kara E. Brostrom both of Lincoln, Nebraska. Sara E. (Alan) West of Omaha, Nebraska, great granddaughters, Amelia West & Elizabeth West. Sister-in-law, Barbara Benner of Lincoln, brothers-in-law, Richard Rathje of Phillips and Phil Spiehs of Grand Island, uncle-in-law, Rudy Liebsack and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 55 years, Lillian C. Brostrom, parents-in-law, sisters-in-law, Betty Spiehs and Geraldine Rathje and brother-in-law, Ronald Benner.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com