Janice Breemes, 82 years old, passed peacefully surrounded by her family. Janice was born to Gerald and Velma Drake and was the oldest of 13 siblings. She grew up in Western, NE in a home filled with love, childhood antics, and laughter that filled the home. Being the oldest in her family she carried the title of caregiver as she told many a story of rocking babies and babysitting her younger siblings. Janice would graduate from Western Public High School and later move to Lincoln, NE to attend community college. While in Lincoln she met and married her husband Larry Breemes, and together they had three children, Deron, Derek, and Dawn. They continued to raise their children in Lincoln where Janice was active in all of her children's school activities and sporting events. Their home was open to the sounds of many of her children's friends coming and going, she was a second mother to many.
Over the years, Janice worked in several occupations, advertising representative at Lincoln Journal Star newspaper, and later as Membership Coordinator at Saint Paul United Methodist Church in downtown Lincoln. She was a strong believer in her faith and expressed it unwavering in her last week as she stated she was ready to go home to be with Jesus. While living an abundant life, her absolute joy was being an active part in loving and helping raise her grandchildren. She always said, "the only thing I wanted to be in life is a mom and a grandma", and she did it with the utmost dedication and joy. The precious memories of time spent with them is filled with dancing, shopping, baking cookies, and forever laughter! Later as a great grandmother she knew the circle was complete. She was beyond joyous to watch the love that would continue through her in the generations to come.
She is survived by her children Derek (Chris) Breemes of Lincoln, NE, Dawn (Mark) Rudd of Lincoln, NE, and Theresa Lalley of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Renae and Jeremy Pacha, Mallory and Nate Harms, Ashley and Paul Hoebelheinrich, Amanda Rudd, and Christian and Keelee Lalley; great grandchildren Riley Pacha and Adalyn Harms; brother, sisters, and in laws Mary Drake, George Roesler, Carolyn and Bob Neihouse, Barb Drake, Kathy and James Brueggemann, Bruce Drake, Rhonda and Daryl Drewes, John Drake, Brad Drake, Barb and Bob Vnoucek, Denise and Frank Myers, and special cousin-sister Judy Picker, Darlene Breemes, Jack and Donetta Campbell, and Paul and Merylann Breemes.
Preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Velma Drake; husband Larry Breemes; brothers Allen, James, and Doug Drake; sister Joann Roesler; sister-in-law Cindy Drake; brothers-in-laws Jerry Breemes and Jack Breemes; son Deron Breemes; and granddaughter Kelsey Breemes.
Memorials in care of the family.
