Jean Brockhaus
CREIGHTON — Mass of Christian Burial for Jean M. Brockhaus, 73, Creighton, will be 10:30 a.m., June 14, at St. Ludger Catholic Church, Creighton. Rev. Jeremy Hans will be Celebrant, with burial in St. Ludger Catholic Cemetery, Creighton.
Visitation will be Thursday, from 3-8 p.m., at Brockhaus Funeral Home, Creighton, with a 7:30 p.m. Wake Service.
Jean died June 8, 2019, surrounded by her family, at Brookestone Village, Omaha.
Jean Marie Dennell Brockhaus was born Nov. 16, 1945, in Omaha, 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, Omaha, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology. She married Gerry J. Brockhaus Aug. 26, 1967, 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, Creighton. 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, Omaha; Tom (Anne) Brockhaus, Sioux City, Iowa; Greg (Heather) Brockhaus, Creighton; Ann (Ray Trom) Brockhaus, Goodyear, Ariz.; and Joe (Tonia) Brockhaus, Norfolk; 14 grandchildren, Dana (Andy) Combs, Plattsmouth; Meghan Brockhaus and Taylor Brockhaus, Omaha; Makayla, Brady, and Braxton Brockhaus, Creighton; Paul, Andrew, and Kiara Brockhaus, Sioux City, Iowa; Hana Trom, Goodyear, Ariz.; and Lydia, Will, Charlie, and Kate Brockhaus, Norfolk; two greatgranddaughters, Cecilia and Lula Combs; three brothers, Alfred Dennell, Jim (Lorrie) Dennell, and John (Candi) Dennell, all of Omaha; sister-in-law, Marilynn (Paul) Peters, Florida; brother-in-law, Larry (Diane) Brockhaus, Overland Park, Kan.; and cousin, Rev. John “Pete” Morfin, Houston, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Gerry.
Memorials may be designated to St. Ludger Catholic Church, Greenwood Cemetery, or the donor’s choice.
