S.E. &Quot;Gene&Quot; Brenner

S.E. "Gene" Brenner, 96, died peacefully, July 2, 2014 at Emerald Groves Central in Mesa, AZ.

Sylvester Eugene Brenner was born March 22, 1918 in Breda, Iowa to Casper and Katherine Nevin (O'Neil) Brenner. The family moved around western Iowa while his father served as depot agent and telegrapher for the Northwestern Railroad. In 1931 the family opened Brenners U & I Grocery Store and Meat Market in Emerson, NE. After graduation from Sacred Heart High School in 1935, he became a full-time butcher, cream tester, egg candler, etc. Upon the death of his father in 1937 he became the manager of the grocery store. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. He participated in the first American offensive of World War II in the Pacific Theatre seeing action on Guadacanal, Tarawa, Abemama Atoll, Saipan and Tinian. His personal remembrances were published in a historical document about the Marines of L Company.

On November 24, 1945 Gene married Navy nurse, Ensign Elizabeth "Betts" Johnson at San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside, CA. The couple resided in Minnesota and Iowa before moving to Columbus, NE in 1949 where they opened Brenner Furniture. Gene was an active member of the St. Bonaventure parish where he was trustee and served on the parish council. He was a 4th Degree Knight and Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, a founding member of the Shamrock Club, a member of the Wayside Country Club and the Elks Country Club, a 61 year member of The American Legion and a life member of the Second Marine Division Association. After raising three children, he and Betts retired and moved to Mesa, AZ where he assisted his brother, Don, in the construction of residential homes. He was a faithful member of the All Saints Catholic Church and a long time supporter and section director for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Mesa. After nearly 60 years of marriage, his wife, Betts died. On June 3,2006 he married Evelyn Uhl Stanislav. Gene enjoyed golfing, entertaining, and traveling. He had a fondness for cars, especially the Lincoln Continental, and he loved to tell stories.

Gene is survived by his wife, Evelyn Stanislav Brenner of Mesa; two sons, Larry (Kathy) Brenner of Columbus and Mark (Marilee) Brenner of Prairie Village, KS: a daughter, Barbara (Dave) Crooker of Long Pine, NE: a brother, Don (Betty) Brenner of Mesa, AZ; eight grandchildren, Allyson (Jason) Schewe of Omaha, NE; Keith (Heidi) Brenner of Ft. Collins, CO; Sarah Brenner, Kansas City, MO; Kady (Walter) Moore, Prairie Village, KS; Jennifer (Aaron) Schott of Silver Creek, NE; Ryan Crooker, Soldotna, AK; Beth Crooker, Kearney, NE; Debra (Tyler) Rosner of Gulfport, MS; five great-grandchildren, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Brenner, Kylie and Chloe Schott, Bentley Rosner, Nolan Moore and baby boy Rosner to be born in August; special nephew, Steve (Nancy) Brenner of Nashville, TN and niece, Karen Brenner Erickson of Mesa, AZ ; many other nieces, nephews, and cousins; close friends and neighbors, Vince and Sheila Stelzer and Father Gordon M. Doffing of Mesa, AZ: and Evelyn's family which includes seven children and their spouses, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Casper and Katherine Nevin Brenner, first wife, Elizabeth "Betts" Brenner, granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Brenner and sister, Kathryn Cockerill.

Memorials may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul/The Simon House, Hospice of the Valley, and St. Bonaventure Grade School.