Casper (Cap) W. Brixius of Alliance, NE passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at the Box Butte General Hospital. He passed away among family and friends with his Beloved wife Janice, son Peter and wife Colleen of Craig, Colorado, daughter Terri & husband Steve Deines of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, grandchildren William(Christina)Deines, Nicole(Anthony) Sacco, Casper(Alison) Brixius and Ashleigh(Ruben) Dominguez. Cap and Janice also have 10 great grandchildren Corbin, Kenadi, Ethan, Nathan, Collin, Ruben, Isabella, Max, Asher and Cecilia.
Cap was born September 2, 1936 in Alliance, Nebraska to Peter and Sylvia Brixius. Cap had a brother Paul of Alliance (deceased), sister Doris of Lusk, Wyoming (deceased) and brother Jack of Alliance. As a boy and young man, he lived on a farm east of Alliance with his family before joining the Marine Corp in 1954 with best friend Dale Christensen. Casper and Dale did everything together including marrying cousins Janice Schnell and Loretta Schnell prior to boot camp at Camp Pendleton, CA.
As a very young man he learned to work hard and to take on whatever job was available as long as it was honest and productive work. He rodeoed, farmed, worked as a mechanic, and did odd jobs.
Once in the Marine Corp, Cap traveled the world. Early in his career he was assigned duty on the U.S.S Northhampton, President Kennedy’s flagship which Cap served on for almost 2 years. He was then ordered on special assignment to Guantanamo during the Cuban Crisis and the Bay of Pigs. His remaining oversea orders centered around 3 – 13 month assignments supporting the war in South Viet Nam. Cap found himself atop the U.S Embassy in Saigon during his 3rd tour-of-duty supporting the evacuation of South Viet Nam. Prior to his 3rd Tour, he was promoted to 1st Sergeant, overseeing a Company of Marines. After 21 years in the Corp, he made the decision to retire from the U.S. Marine Corp despite the fact that his name had been submitted for promotion to Sergeant Major.
After retirement from the Marine Corp in 1975, Cap began several ventures which included farming and development of a crop insurance business, which he established in Alliance with his daughter Terri. Brixius Crop Insurance thrived for many years as Cap’s pension for honesty and integrity was his primary marketing tactic throughout his life. The business was sold in 2007 as Cap planned his retirement.
Concurrent with his farming and insurance ventures, Cap was elected to serve as a Box Butte County Commissioner, a position he held for 21 years in Box Butte County. Cap served 5 full terms as Commissioner, and many years as the Board of County Commissioner Chair. In this role, he was again remembered for his honesty and integrity while serving on the Box Butte BOCC.
Cap and Janice lived together almost inseparable for over 66 years. There love and generosity became an irresistible attraction for many friends and family as they shared their joy and optimism for life.
Casper “CAP” will be missed. He was loved and respected by his family and friends and all who knew him and shared in his frank and honest way of living.
He was a good father who always took care of his children and did the best he could to teach and guide them, a loving grandfather and “great-grand” father.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alliance, NE with Reverend Richard C. Mueller officiating. Burial will at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery east of Alliance near the airport. Following the interment A Celebration-of-Life will be at the West Side Event Center. Visitation will be Sunday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m. and conclude with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel.
Memorials can be offered on behalf of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Veterans State Cemetery at Alliance Foundation and the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.