Grace Brodecky

Grace Evangeline Brodecky, 92, of Howells, died Friday, April 13, 2012 at St. Joseph's Care Center, Norfolk, NE. surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday April 18, at St. John's Nepomucene Catholic Church, Howells, with Rev. Leo Rigatuso officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at the Church, with a wake service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Church. Grace (Kuester) Brodecky was born to Louis and Helen (Meyer) Kuester on May 10, 1919 on the family farm located in Haymow precinct of Stanton County. She attended rural grade school and graduated from Wisner High School in 1937 and began teaching at area rural schools in 1938. On July 12, 1943, she married Myron Brodecky at Howells, and together they farmed one mile west of Howells, She continued to teach at area rural schools while attending Wayne State College part time, obtaining her Bachelors degree in 1967. Thereafter she taught English, Journalism, and was Librarian at Howells Public School until her retirement in 1984. Grace was active with the Nebraska Education Association, Howells Women's Club, St. John's Altar Society, Howells Public Library Board. the Howells Museum, and assisted numerous church and community centennial committee's compiling their histories. She and Myron performed many community betterment projects during their retirement. She loved to dance, crochet, grow flowers and to garden. Grace is survived by sons, Gary (Jean) Brodecky of Norfolk, Tom Brodecky of Columbus, and daughters Patricia (John) Leavell of Norfolk, and Lynn (Dennis) Matthies of Norfolk, eight grandchildren, Jill (Robin) Arnold of Phoenix, AZ, LeAnn Brodecky of Henderson, NV, Kari (Brian) Magarro of Omaha, Dan Brodecky of Columbus, Carol Lee (Chris) Ford of Lincoln, Christine (Justin) Shank of Lincoln, Chris Matthies and Hannah Matthies of Norfolk, and six great grandchildren, two sisters, Norma Malchow of Wisner, and Marcella Wisnieski of Dodge, and many nieces and nephews. Grace was preceded in death by her husband Myron in 2006, her parents, and her brother Robert. Memorials may be directed to St. John's lift fund, Howells Historical Society, Howells Public Library or the Howells Ballroom. Grace will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a gracious lady who was always positive and had a loving smile. She will be greatly missed. To leave a message for the family - at the top of this page click "Send Condolences" / fill in YOUR name and e-mail address / type in your message / click PRIVATE (type in code) or PUBLIC / click "Add Memorial entry".