March 2, 2026

Linn County News

Published March 4, 2026

Bernard Thomas "Tom" Brownback was born on a farm in Centerville, Kan., the fifth child born to William Earl and Kezia Ellen (Reynolds) Brownback on Oct. 6, 1938. He passed away on his farm in rural Blue Mound, Kan., on Feb. 27, 2026, at the age of 87.

Tom started at the Farlinville, Kan., county school then later attended elementary school in Centerville. He attended Parker, Kansas High School and graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1956.

He was active in the Centerville 4-H and his choice for that club's name was chosen for the new club, The Flying C 4-H.

Tom married Judith West on May 26, 1962, at Blue Mound, Kan. They spent the first two years of their marriage in Tulsa, Okla., where he worked for Braniff Airlines. In 1964 they transferred to Kansas City, Kan., so they would be closer to "home" (Blue Mound), to be nearer to the West family farm.

Tom served his country in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Monmouth, N.J., and Fort Hauchuca, Ariz.

Born to Tom and Judy were two children, Thomas Nelson and Beth Ellen.

Tom was a small business owner for a large portion of this life. He was owner of Tommy's Champlin and later Mac's Power Mower.

He was a sports lover and refereed school football and basketball games. He also coached his son's little league baseball team. But, his first love was farming. In 2007 he and Judy moved to the West Family Farm where he lived his dream the past 17 years having cattle, baling hay and just being in God's Country. He also belonged to the Midwest Mule Club along with his grandson Jared. They spent many a weekend at area lakes on trail rides.

In Kansas City he was a member of Central Christian and First Presbyterian Churches and transferred to the Blue Mound Federated Church now the Blue Mound Bible Church.

He was a member of the Optimist Club while in Kansas City and after moving to Blue Mound, the Kincaid Lion's and Blue Mound American Legion.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and four sisters, infant Betty Joan Brownback, Rosalie Weaver, Margaret Gabe and Judy McArdle.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Judy, of the home; son Tom and wife Beckie; daughter Beth and husband, Steve Kloiber; three grandsons, Seth Schaffer and wife Sunny, Jacob Brownback and wife Emily, and Jared Brownback and wife Damara; eight great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Alyvia, Caroline, and Bowie Schaffer, Ava and Max Brownback, and Wells and Scarlett Brownback.  Also surviving are two brothers, Don and Dewey Brownback; a sister, Katherine Sever; many Brownback cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Tom loved to tell jokes and those jokes will continue to live on as all who knew him will keep telling Tom Brownback jokes the rest of their lives.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Blue Mound Bible Church.  Burial will be in the Sunny Slope Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Schneider Funeral Home, Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Blue Mound Youth Center.  Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.