Cleone Brenneman

Funeral services for Cleone Brenneman, age 93, of Norfolk, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk. Reverend Ray Wilke and Reverend Chris Asbury will officiate, with burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk.

The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue, in Norfolk.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Cleone passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Heritage at Fountain Point in Norfolk.

Cleone A. Brenneman was born October 4, 1931, in Battle Creek, Nebraska, to George and Esther Janssen. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and community member, Cleone lived a life marked by love, service, and faith.

Cleone grew up in Battle Creek, and was baptized on November 22, 1931, and confirmed on May 13, 1945, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek. She also attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1949. She furthered her education at Norfolk Business College and briefly worked at Norfolk Auto Supply.

On April 25, 1954, Cleone married James Brenneman, and together they built a life in Norfolk, Nebraska, raising five children: Tom, Connie, Dan, Sherri, and Karen. Additionally, Cleone dedicated many years to the Norfolk Regional Center, retiring in the early 1990s. Her career was a testament to her compassion and commitment to helping others.

Cleone and James shared a love for travel, particularly enjoying Navy ship reunion trips across various states, where they forged lasting friendships. As proud grandparents to nine grandchildren, they cherished attending their sporting events, whether football, basketball, golf, track, or volleyball, and hosting family gatherings, especially during the holidays.

A faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk, Cleone served on numerous committees and joined the church’s quilters group, crafting quilts for Orphan Grain Train. Her dedication to service extended to volunteering at the Orphan Grain Train and the Norfolk Food Pantry. When at home, Cleone found joy in counted cross-stitch, creating beautiful works with care and precision.

For the last two and a half years of her life, Cleone resided at The Heritage at Fountain Point Assisted Living in Norfolk. There, she reconnected with old friends and classmates, formed new bonds, and embraced the community’s activities, particularly enjoying the entertainment offered.

Cleone is survived by her children and their spouses, Connie (Paul) Bichlmeier of Norfolk, Dan (Colleen) Brenneman of Gretna, NE, Sherri Aldag of Norfolk, and Karen Brenneman of Norfolk; nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; brothers, Jerry Janssen of Norfolk and Bill (Betty) Janssen of Omaha, NE; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Brenneman; her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Lois Brenneman; her parents, George and Esther Janssen; her sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Dermott Doyle; her aunt, Leona Owens; and step-father, Herb Jansen.

Cleone’s legacy of servitude, faith, and family will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

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