Brenda Lee East, 65, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died January 14, 2013 at her home in Gothenburg, NE.
She was born December 24, 1947 in McCook, NE, daughter of Stan and Louise (Nelson) Phillips.
Brenda grew up in Curtis, NE and graduated from UNSA in 1966. She then went on to graduate from Business School in Grand Island in 1967. She lived in Curtis until 1966, when she moved to Grand Island for a couple years. She lived in North Platte from 1968 to ’73 before moving to Longmont, CO for a year. She married Melvin East on April 28, 1973 at the Congregational Church in Curtis, NE. To this union one son Levi Owen was born. They lived in Curtis from 1974 to 1984 and then moved to Gothenburg.
Brenda worked as a housekeeper for the Broadway Inn, Travel Inn, and Super 8 Motel. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Curtis CO-OP, KAHL radio station in North Platte, and Goads Pit-Stop. She liked to read and love taking care of little children. Her beloved dog Patty was by her side all of the time.
Survivors include her loving husband Melvin; son – Levi Owen East; brother – Randy (Cheryl) Phillips; two sisters – Linda (Howard) Benjamin, Deborah (Dennis) Hazen; four sisters-in-law LaVaughn (Melvin) Shipman, Monia (Wayne) Biehn, Lita (Bob) Reinwalt; sister-in-law – Midge Hansen; many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Stan & Louise Phillips; father-in-law, John East; three mother-in-laws, Lily East, Midge East, and Vivian East; several aunts & uncles; one nephew and one niece.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, Nebraska; Thursday, January 17, 2013 from 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm. with the family present from 5-7.
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Curtis NE, Friday, January 18, 2013 at 10:00 am with Pastor Bonnie Forney officiating.
Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, NE
A memorial has been established in her name and may be directed to 714 16th, Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.