Jean Brockhaus Obituary

Mass of Christian Burial for Jean M. Brockhaus, age 73, of Creighton, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2019, at St. Ludger Catholic Church in Creighton. Reverend Jeremy Hans will be Celebrant, with burial in St. Ludger Catholic Cemetery in Creighton.
Visitation will be Thursday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton, with a 7:30 p.m. Wake Service.
Jean died surrounded by her family on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Brookestone Village in Omaha, Nebraska.
Jean Marie Dennell Brockhaus was born November 16, 1945, in Omaha, Nebraska to Alfred R. and Janet (Jamieson) Dennell. She attended Marian High School and graduated in 1963 as Salutatorian. Jean graduated with high honors from Duchesne College in Omaha, earning a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Biology. On August 26, 1967, she was united in marriage to Gerry J. Brockhaus at Christ the King Catholic Church. They resided in Omaha and she worked at Lutheran Hospital in the pathology department. Five children were born to them, John, Tom, Greg, Ann, and Joe.
In 1979, Gerry and Jean purchased Hengstler Funeral Home in Creighton, Nebraska. In 1984, Jean purchased the Flower Basket from Delores Gragert and worked side by side with Gerry until his death in 1997. After Gerry’s death, Jean owned and operated Brockhaus Funeral Homes and Flower Basket until her retirement in 2011. Later that year, she moved to Arizona to be closer to her daughter. Jean moved back to Omaha in 2017.
Jean’s best friend and love of her life was her husband, Gerry. They enjoyed traveling together. She was a woman of faith, and her faith carried her through life after Gerry’s death. She enjoyed cooking, holidays, being with her family, and attending Mass. After Gerry’s death, Jean enjoyed traveling with her cousin, Father Pete, to Germany, Argentina, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and many other destinations in the United States. Jean also loved boating and being near the water.
Jean was a member of St. Ludger Catholic Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She is a past member of American Floral Association. Jean served as a trustee for the Omaha Archdiocesan Educational Foundation, Inc (OAEF), a trustee for the Omaha Archdiocesan Parish Foundation, Inc. (OAPF), and the Archbishop’s Committee for Development Board (ACD).
Jean is survived by her five children: John (Kim) Brockhaus of Omaha, Tom (Anne) Brockhaus of Sioux City, IA, Greg (Heather) Brockhaus of Creighton, Ann (Ray Trom) Brockhaus of Goodyear, AZ, and Joe (Tonia) Brockhaus of Norfolk; 14 grandchildren, Dana (Andy) Combs of Plattsmouth, Meghan Brockhaus and Taylor Brockhaus of Omaha, Makayla, Brady, and Braxton Brockhaus of Creighton, Paul, Andrew, and Kiara Brockhaus of Sioux City, IA, Hana Trom of Goodyear, AZ, and Lydia, Will, Charlie, and Kate Brockhaus of Norfolk; two great-granddaughters, Cecilia and Lula Combs; three brothers, Alfred Dennell, Jim (Lorrie) Dennell, and John (Candi) Dennell, all of Omaha; sister-in-law, Marilynn (Paul) Peters of Florida; brother-in-law, Larry (Diane) Brockhaus of Overland Park, KS; and cousin, Reverend John “Pete" Morfin of Houston, TX.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Gerry.
Memorials may be designated to St. Ludger Catholic Church, Greenwood Cemetery, or donor’s choice.