As many of you have probably heard, Darleen Brushaber passed away recently, just over three years after the death of her husband, George Brushaber. The Brushabers were married for almost sixty years, more than half of them spent at Bethel, where George was College dean (1975-1982) and president (1982-2008).
President’s spouse has been a unique position in the women’s history of Bethel. It’s both a public and private role, with those women well known to the Bethel community though often serving in the background, offering support to the men who have been Bethel president. Darleen Brushaber’s successor in the role, Barb Barnes, told us this summer that it was “almost like Aaron holding up Moses’ hands. I didn’t view it as subservient, I just viewed it as, ‘This is my role, Jay had his role… and we did it as a team.'”
We didn’t get a chance to interview Darleen Brushaber, but she and George were also introduced to the Bethel community as a team. When the Baptist General Conference magazine, The Standard, profiled the incoming dean in December 1974, it emphasized that the Brushabers shared a commitment to education that went to back to their time in Massachusetts, where George went to seminary and graduate school and Darleen taught the children of Portuguese immigrants:
Mrs. Brushaber formerly taught at the elementary level and specialized in reading skills and work with bilingual children. Now she excels in the creative activities of interior decorating and hostessing guests in their home. She doesn’t look upon herself as “Mrs. Dean” and takes a lighthearted view of her husband’s distinguished title and role! With wide ranges of interest, they share common enjoyment of musical events, spectator sports, travel and discovering delectable foods. Their family journey has now gone full circuit, from the Midwest to New England, cross-country to California, and back to mid-continent again.
Peace be to the memory of Darleen Brushaber, whose obituary (originally drafted by her husband) is reprinted below.
Nancie Darleen Brushaber was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her father headed the ticket office for the Milwaukee Braves and the Milwaukee Auditorium and Arena. Darleen could get tickets for any event in town, her favorite being the ice-skating shows. She graduated in the inaugural class of 1958 from Nicolet High School with honors and was a proud member of the National Honor Society. After graduating in 3 & ½ years from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a B. S. in elementary education, Darleen married her longtime boyfriend, George, the same week she graduated from College in January 1962. They were married almost 60 years. Their honeymoon was a long drive to Boston where George was enrolled in seminary at Gordon Divinity School and doctoral studies at Boston University. Darleen taught 4th grade in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
After ten and a half wonderful years in New England, making lifelong friends and falling in love with the area, in 1972 they moved to Santa Barbara, California where George assumed the post of Vice President and Dean of Westmont College.
The Midwest called them home three years later. In 1975 they took up residence in North Oaks, Minnesota and George served as Vice President and Dean of Bethel College. Darleen became First Lady of Bethel University in 1982 when George became its President. They served together until their retirement in 2008. Darleen loved supporting her husband in his long career in Christian higher education. She shared and gave of herself in so many ways, quietly working behind the scenes.
After George’s death, Darleen moved in 2022 from North Oaks, MN to Carmel, Indiana to be near her daughter. Darleen’s kindness, generosity, sharp wit and good spirited humor drew many new friends and while she never thought of Indiana as “home” she was happy, and thankful that so many Minnesota friends came to visit her!
The joys of Darleen’s life were her Christian faith, her home, and her wonderful children, daughter Deanna (Tod) Dalberg and son Don (Amy) Brushaber and five precious grandchildren, Brittan Dalberg, Taite Dalberg, Dane Dalberg, Kaia Brushaber and Kettly Brushaber. All received her love, support, and prayers. Her recreation was to always be looking for the perfect gifts for them.
Darleen was a friend to many, regularly encouraging others with notes, lunches, birthday parties and perfect gifts – just the right thing for the right person.
Darleen was preceded in death by her husband George Brushaber, and her parents, Emerson and Kathleen Dugar. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, brother Don (Cheryl) Dugar, niece Heidi (Andrew) Kuster, and nephew Tyler (Emily) Dugar, and six grandnieces and nephews, and many friends.
A private burial will be held in the spring at Better Place Forest in Marine on St. Croix, MN. Memorials for Darleen may be sent to Eagle Brook Church or to Bethel University for the Brushaber Leadership Award.
One goal of this blog is to help involve members of the Bethel community in doing the history of Bethel, so comments are always welcome! Today I’d especially appreciate memories of Darleen Brushaber or reflections on the role of the wives of Bethel’s presidents. Just know that if you leave a comment at the project blog, I’ll take that as expressing your permission to quote it in the project.
The Women of Bethel 
Darleen Brushaber was a gift to Bethel, Christian higher education, and to Barb and me. She was well regarded in the spouse of the presidents group of the Christian College Consortium. She was wise, generous with her ability to share helpful information, and able to deflate puffery with her sense of humor. When Barb and I came to Bethel in 1995, she was incredibly helpful to Barb in learning the culture and traditions of Bethel. When we succeed her and George as Bethel’s presidential couple, we learned even more of the gracious behind the scenes work she did to support George and Bethel. We are so thankful for her example. Her many contributions should be celebrated as her life and memory are honored.
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