DeAnn D Bratka

DeAnn Dagmar Stenglein Bratka was born on July 29, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska to Charles and Daphne (Payne) Stenglein. She grew up in Valley and West Point, Nebraska and attended country school District #24 in Two Rivers for two years before moving to West Point, attending grade school there. The family returned to Valley after 8 years and DeAnn finished her high school education graduating from Valley High School in 1960. DeAnn attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for one year and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Later she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston with a degree in Education. As a young girl, she was active in 4-H, was captain of the cheerleading squad, played clarinet in the school band and was a member of the National Honor Society. DeAnn married Marvin Bratka on September 11, 1961 and they were blessed with two sons: Kirk and Chuck before adding Ngoan Mai to their family as his legal guardians in 1984. DeAnn and Marvin moved to Houston, Texas in 1972 because of Marvin’s job with The Coca Cola Company Foods Division. They lived in Houston for about 13 years. DeAnn worked as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District for several years. Upon moving back to Nebraska, DeAnn and Marvin became co-owners of Farmer Brown’s Steak House in Papillion along with her brothers Steven and Ben. In 2005 that restaurant was sold and DeAnn and Marvin retired. DeAnn began substitute teaching in Omaha, Bellevue and Conestoga school districts. DeAnn was a 16 year breast cancer survivor and maintained a close relationship with many of her fellow survivors. She was diagnosed with lupus at age 19, long before anyone knew much about the disease. She and Marvin enjoyed travelling extensively. DeAnn was an avid reader, member of the Red Hats and treasured her time with her granddaughters. DeAnn was an excellent cook and loved to try new recipes. She was a member of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Omaha. DeAnn passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in Richmond, Virginia due to complications of a stomach aneurysm at the age of 72 years, 7 months and 17 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Daphne Stenglein and son Chuck. DeAnn is survived by her husband Marvin, of 53 years; sons and daughter-in-law Kirk and Lori Bratka of Gretna and Ngoan Mai and Dodi Jones of Omaha; granddaughters Shelby and Sydney Bratka and April Mai; brothers and sister-in-law Steven of Omaha and Ben and Joan of Omaha; pet dog Max

DeAnn D Bratka

July 29, 1942 - March 17, 2015