July 13, 1925 - Nov. 11, 2017
Jean Veronica Brekke, the daughter of Joseph and Grace (Hurley) Kennedy, was born July 13, 1925, on her family’s farm near Seneca, Ia. She died on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society in Algona, Iowa at the age of 92. A visitation service was held on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Oakcrest Funeral Home in Algona with a rosary service at 4 p.m. and a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m., led by Rev. Mr. Bill Black. A Funeral Mass for Jean will be held on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Armstrong with Rev. Ed Girres officiating. Burial is at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Armstrong.
She graduated from Seneca High School in 1942. On February 12, 1947, Jean was united in marriage to Floyd Brekke in Fairmont, Minn. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in the Armstrong area. Jean worked at Montgomery Ward in Estherville as a bookkeeper. She was a hardworking farm wife and mother. Jean was famous for dressing chickens, making brownies and rhubarb cream pie. The couple retired in 1978 in Green Valley, Ariz. In 1996, the couple moved to Algona. Floyd died in 1999.
Jean was a member of St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in Algona and a member of the Altar Society. She was a former member and taught CCD at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Ariz. and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Armstrong. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and walking. Jean spent many hours volunteering in nursing homes and food pantries. She also liked to make trips to flea markets where she would add to her donkey collection.
Left to cherish Jean’s memory are her children, Ron Brekke of Eagle Grove; Terry (Becky) Brekke of Waterloo; Peggy (Dan) Boettcher Brimfield, Ill.; Rick Brekke of Armstrong; Mary (Ivan) Droessler of Storm Lake; Sue Carlson (Myron) of Algona; and daughter-in-law Marlu Brekke of Bancroft; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and her brother Michael (Dorothy) Kennedy of Fairmont, Minn.
She has been preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; son, David; grandsons, Bruce and Joe; sister, Patricia Gengler; brother, Richard Kennedy; twin sister, Joan Wilkinson; special sister-in-law, Doris Carlson; and daughter-in-law Estelle Brekke.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.