Suzanne DeBrie

Suzanne Lindenstein DeBrie passed away on January 14th, 2025 in Kearney Nebraska. She was born in Buda Nebraska on May 1st, 1935. She attended Gibbon High School where she graduated as Salutatorian in 1952 She married Leonard DeBrie in 1952, before moving to Colorado. She worked to put her husband through veterinary school working for the Extension Service at Colorado State University. Upon completion of school, the couple returned to Nebraska, where they made Kearney their lifelong home. The joy of Suzanne's life was her children, and she poured her energy into their lives, scheduling lessons and activities, helping with homework, and serving as a room parent and 4-H, Camp Fire, and Cub Scout leader. She enjoyed helping kids learn, whether it was her own or those of others. She shared her love of cooking, her creativity and her art talent with future generations, which is greatly treasuredby her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Suzanne went to college as her four children were finishing their degrees. She attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney, where art and english classes were her favorites. Some of her family’s most cherished possessions are her artwork. Her literary talent was realized when she contributed an essay about one-room school houses to a regional collection. Suzanne dedicated her life to serving others. While volunteering at the hospital, she learned of a need to provide wigs for cancer patients in Nebraska. She traveled statewide to help with this need. Later, she opened a store, dedicating part of the store to continue this cancer ministry. Suzanne belonged to the First Presbyterian Church where she was a deacon and a volunteer in the office. She was also a gifted teacher for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. A few years ago, she received her 50-year pin from P.E.O. as a lifelong member where she cherished the fellowship of many women over the years. Suzanne and Leonard were sports enthusiasts and were quick to indoctrinate their children into the world of Husker football, gathering around the radio to listen to local commentary. They were fortunate to travel to many football and baseball games across the country, conveniently finding sports venues near veterinary conventions, and loading up the car for countless family vacations. As she got older, she continued her love of sports and rarely missed a Husker football or volleyball game on TV. Suzanne and Leonard cherished visits from or visits to their kids and grandkids. Later, Suzanne enjoyed traveling with her children. Favorite destinations were Paris, New York, Coronado, and several birthday trips to Red Mountain Spa. Suzanne is preceded in death by her husband of 72 years Leonard DeBrie, her father Orville Lindenstein, her mother Maude Rhodes, and her brothers, Dale and Gary Lindenstein. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Lauri Thanheiser, Karan (Kevin) Staten, Brian (Jane) DeBrie, and Gayle (Turner) Gill; her five grandchildren and their spouses: Alex (Elsie) DeBrie, Alyssa (Travis) Hagen , Nicole (Sida) Niu , Jordan (Marcus) Sallis, and Margaux Gill (fiancee Rico Slater); and her ten great-grand children: Lanie, Charlie, Sam, Joe, Collin, Millie, Jolie, Leonard, Annie and Lucas. She is also survived by her sister Glenda Cudaback, her sisters-in-law Bobbi Lindenstein and Marla Dadey, as well as many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church and the P.E.O.Chapter EG Scholarship Fund. These can be sent to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Suzanne DeBrie's name, at 4115 Ave. N, Kearney, NE 68847. A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Kearney on February 8th at 11am. There will be a visitation at the church for friends and family from 10-11am, with a luncheon following the service. A private interment will be held on Friday, February 7th at Gibbon Riverside Cemetery.

Suzanne DeBrie

May 1, 1935 - January 14, 2025