Newell E. Alexander

Newell Alexander, 85, died Sunday, March 8, 2015 at Bryan LGH-East, Lincoln, Nebraska. The son of Elmer and Florence (Silsby) Alexander, he was born on October 12, 1929, in Limestone Township, Jewell County, Kansas, on the land which was homesteaded by his grandparents, Dick and Alice Alexander.

Newell was united in marriage to Doris Sloan on January 14, 1951 in the Burr Oak Methodist Church by his uncle, Loren Silsby. To this union 6 children were born: Wade, Wesley, Wray, Denise Ann, Wiley, & Wynn.

Newell attended his first 8 years of school at the Lamb country school, and graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1947. While in high school, Newell was very active in music, band & basketball. His love of music and sports continued through his life.

He served in the United States Army from August 16, 1951 to May 15, 1953 and held the rank of sergeant. He served at Fort Riley and in Korea and was discharged at Fort Carson.

Newell was always active in the community and very involved with his family and friends. His main love was farming and he also built many new homes in the Mankato and Jewell County area. He was on the school board, fire department, and was a Life Member of the VFW Post No. 7830. He was Officer of the Day when military memorial services were conducted by the VFW and belonged to the American Legion in Mankato so they could have an American Legion baseball team. He loved sports and during his younger years he officiated at football, basketball and baseball games, and never missed a sporting event that involved his children.

He held various jobs through the years including working for Newell Implement, sold cars for Morris & Andersen in Mankato, and owned Newell’s Mobil for a few years.

Newell always enjoy the visits from his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and especially enjoyed the yearly reunions he had with his three army buddies who served with him in Korea.
Newell will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Doris, of Mankato; Sons, Wade and wife, Lynette of Beloit, Wes of Overland Park, Wray of Altamonte, Florida, Wiley, and wife, Bert of Washington, Wynn, and wife, Kim of Coldwater; Grandchildren: Brady and wife, Samantha, Cortney and wife, Van, Landon, Kaylee, Kyle and wife, Liz, Danielle, and husband, Bryan McDonald, Jordyn, Erin; Devery, Brena, Koy, Rylee, Owen, Mea, Trace; Great-grandchildren: Parker and Rowan Alexander, Hailey, Elise, Vivian and Victoria McDonald and Aaliyah Alexander; Sister: Violet and husband, LeRoy Lewis; Sister-in-law: Virginia Alexander; Sister-in-law: Pat an d husband, Alan Czirr; Many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Preceded in death by daughter, Denise Ann; his parents; Sister, Vera and her husband Forrest Dempsey; Brother, Merlin Alexander.

Pallbearers will be: Brady Alexander, Cortney Alexander, Kyle Alexander, Koy Alexander, Owen Alexander, Landon Alexander, Trace Alexander and David Czirr.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Ray Smith, Don Walker, Gerald McAtee, Wayne Dunn, Roger Lindberg, Stan Bachman, Tony Temaat and Jim Knight.

A celebration of life service for Newell E. Alexander will be Friday, March 13th, 2015, at the Harmony Methodist Church, Mankato at 2 p.m. with Pastor Dannie Dempsey and Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato with military honors by United States Army Honor Guard, Fort Riley, Kansas, V.F.W. Post No. 7830, Mankato, Kansas. Visitation will be at Melby Mortuary on Thursday, March 12, 2015, from 9 to 8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8. Melby Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials will be given to the VFW Post No. 7830, Senior Center and the Ute Theatre, all of Mankato, Kansas.