Hazel Jean Brenning

Hazel Jean Brenning

July 13, 1921 - April 11, 2014

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Hazel Jean Brenning, age 92, passed away peacefully at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, embraced by her family, on Friday, April 11, 2014.

Jean was born on July 13, 1921, in McCook to Virgil Joseph and Belva (Rowland) McMahan. She grew up in McCook and attended public school. During World War II, she worked at the bombsite vault at the McCook Army Air Base. She worked many years for the J.C. Penney Company before retiring.

On March 26, 1948, she married her lifelong partner of 57 years, Clarence Brenning. Jean had a loving and caring heart with a soft spot for kids, dogs and cats. Her faith in God and a great sense of humor got her through many of life's challenges. She was a loving caregiver for many of her aged loved ones, including her mother, aunts, uncles and a special neighbor.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence (2006); daughter, Lexie Jean in infancy and a son, John Gage, in 1969 in Viet Nam; sister and brother-in-law, Dena and Cecil Chapman and brother, Virgil McMahan.

Survivors include her son, Bob and wife, Janet of McCook; daughter-in-law, Pat Gae of Oceanside, California; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Grosskopf of McCook, Jeanne McMahan of Florida; grandchildren, Alexa (Dave) Amos of Lexington; Samantha Brenning, Lawrence, Kansas; Tom (Ann) Gage of San Diego, California; Pamela (Steve) Holland of Laurel, Montana; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Memorial services will be at First Assembly of God Church in McCook on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor K. C. Harryman officiating. Private family inurnment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in McCook. Memorials may be left in Jean's name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel. On-line condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangments.