Wilfred "Bill" Albracht

Wilfred "Bill" Albracht, 96, of Broken Bow, NE, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2023, at Life Care Center of Aurora Colorado.  He was born on February 28 ^th , 1926, on a farm in St. Bernard, NE.  He was the son of the late Frank & Isabelle (Schaefer) Albracht.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM Friday, January 27, 2023, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Visitation is Thursday from 5:00-7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM vigil service, all at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Friday from 9:30-10:30 AM at the church. Burial is in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Bill was born and raised on the farm in St. Bernard with his parents and nine sisters and two brothers.  He met his future bride, Rose Ann "Deetz" (Schumacher) Albracht at her father's apple orchard when he was twelve years old.  They later married on September 12 ^th , 1946, and had four children.  They were married for 69 years.

During "Bill's" lifetime he was a farmer, owned a gas station, bartended, and did whatever he needed, to provide for his family until he started his career at Becton Dickinson in Columbus Nebraska.  He and "Deetz" moved to Broken Bow Nebraska in 1970, where he continued working for Becton Dickinson as a Production Manager and was later promoted to Manager of Manufacturing Engineers.  During his tenure at BD, he designed and built, with the help of his team, several TULIP (Tray, Unloading, Loading, Inspecting, Packing) robotic machines for the production of vacutainers.  These machines are still being used today in multiple BD locations.  He retired from BD after working for the company for over 30 years.

Bill loved being a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus Nebraska, and later as a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Broken Bow Nebraska, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He enjoyed playing golf every chance he could and playing in tournaments with family and friends.  He won several tournaments and even scored three hole-in-ones.  He continued to golf until he was in his early nineties.  Bill loved woodworking and sharing the woodcrafts he made with friends and family.  He also loved hunting turkey, deer, and pheasant with his son Gregg, and other relatives and friends.  Bill enjoyed his many friends in Broken Bow, Nebraska, and could often be seen having coffee at the downtown square in the morning, and a beer in the late afternoon.  Most of all, Bill loved his family and spending time with them.

He was the beloved husband of the late Rose Ann (Deetz Schumacher) Albracht and the loving father, to his son, Gregg (Christine) Albracht of Santa Fe, NM; daughters Khristane (Jim) Brand of Denver, Co; Rebecca Albracht of Aurora, CO; Grace (Allen) Randolph of Morganton, GA.  He was the adored grandfather to Hope Ignacio of Santa Fe, NM; Seth Venhaus of Aurora, CO; Jordan Venhaus of Aurora, CO; Ashley Brand of Denver, CO; Sydney Randolph of Phoenixville, PA; Emily Randolph of Richmond, VA; and two stepsons Anthony Cowherd of Montbello, CO; Steve Cowherd of Centennial, CO his wife "Deetz" and his son-in-law Rod Cowherd.