Esther C. Brockmeier

Esther C. Brockmeier, age 99 of Eustis, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Elwood Care Center, Elwood, Nebraska. Esther was born October 31, 1914, to Christian J. and Carrie (Gutenkunst) Koch at Eustis, Nebraska, where she grew up, along with 3 sisters and 3 brothers. When she was younger she moved to Lincoln, NE, where she worked as a housekeeper. On May 14th, 1939, Esther married Albert Brockmeier at Eustis, Nebraska and moved to the farm 6 miles south of Eustis. Their union was blessed with 3 sons, Don, Kent and Bruce, all of Eustis. Esther spent most of her life working on the farm with Albert and in 1976, they moved to Eustis. In 2005, Esther moved to Park Avenue Assisted Living in Lexington and to Elwood Care Center in October of 2011. Esther was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis, where she remained a member until her passing. She was faithful in her attendance and was a member of the ladies circles and sang in the church choir and taught Sunday School. She enjoyed the hard work on the farm, gardening (especially raising flowers), baking and helping the boys with their 4H projects. Esther was also a member of the West Canyonnettes. Since her birthday occurred on Halloween, she enjoyed dressing up in a pumpkin costume and passing out fresh baked pretzels to both children and adults who came to "trick-or-treat" at her home. In later years, Esther spent time at the Eustis Senior Citizen Center, helping to quilt and make noodles. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband Albert in 1995; 3 brothers, Ernest, Lorenz and Rudy; 3 sisters, Wilma White, Rose Schurr and Elsie Travis. Survivors include, 3 sons, Don (Judy) Brockmeier, Kent (Kay) Brockmeier and Bruce (Patty) Brockmeier all of Eustis; 8 grandchildren, Troy (Marti) Brockmeier of Kearney, Kerry (Stephanie) Brockmeier of Omaha, Kelcey (Jim) Shaal of Omaha and Tirston (Todd Henrickson) Brockmeier of Emporia, KS, Bret Brockmeier of Lincoln, Bryant (Amanda) Brockmeier of Eustis, Craig (Cathy) Brockmeier of Grand Island and Jodi (Mike) Azevedo of Overland Park, KS.; 18 great grandchildren, John, Charlie and Davin Brockmeier, Lauren and Ben Brockmeier, Noah and Riley Shaal, Harry, Esther and Evelyn Henrickson, Evan, Reid and Jennae Brockmeier, Lane Baxter, Erin and Gage Brockmeier and Brooklyn and William Azevedo. Memorials are suggested to St. John's Lutheran Church Endowment and Eustis Area Community Foundation. Services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis with Pastor Harold Laursen officiating. Burial will be at East Cemetery, Eustis. Visitation will be Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.