Hildreth Monahan 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 Aug. 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 the great-grandchildren brought her much joy.
Hil also enjoyed attending the kids’ activities. She liked to play bridge, other card games, and worked many crossword puzzles. Other interests were playing the organ, bowling and weekends 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, 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