Deanna Frances Loecher Brekken, 84

Deanna Frances Loecher Brekken, 84, of Springfield, MO, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at The Neighborhoods at Quail Creek, surrounded by her family.

Deanna was born on August 20, 1939, in Adams, MN to parents, Ernest and Mary (Frein) Loecher. She graduated from Pacelli High School in 1957. In 1965, Deanna married Richard (Dick) Duane Brekken from Scarville, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Jean Arnold.

Faith, family, friends and fun were her priorities. She also had a special gift of recognizing and caring for others in need.  Living in six different cities, Deanna loved getting involved in new activities and making new life-long friends. She was involved with many charitable and social activities including Girl Scouts, church choir, garden club, Red Hats, Parish Council of Catholic Woman, Minnesota Club, Welcome Wagon, Newcomers, Hormel Historic Home, Ozark Peacemaker Quilters Guild, and the ALS Support Group.

Deanna worked for Hormel Foods in livestock accounting and sales and marketing in later years; food demonstration, owning B&T Demo service, and other market research activities.  But her most accomplished role was that of a loving wife and mother.

Diagnosed with ALS over 20 years ago, Deanna adjusted to each phase of the disease, but rejected being stopped by the disease.  Her repeated motto from the beginning of running her marathon with ALS was, “If God wants me, He is going to have to catch me!”  She looked forward each year to the ALS Walk for a Cure (and the after party).  Dick and her continued to travel to visit grandkids and attend their activities.  Travel also included their annual trip to host or visit their “4th of July” friends.

Survivors include her husband, Richard of Springfield, MO; her daughter, Melissa (Michael) Parker of Jenks, OK and their children, Sean Parker and Lauren (Matthew) Sullivan; her daughter, Michelle (Bob Nelson) Brekken of Frisco, TX; and her son, Michael (Paula) Brekken of Olathe, KS and their children Sonia, Risa and Becca Brekken; her brother Roger (Eileen) Loecher.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on January 6, 2024 at 10:30 am at Immaculate Conception Parish. Visitation, beginning with a short prayer service, will be at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home on January 5, 2024 from 5-7 pm. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Mass will be livestreamed at Immaculate Conception Parish Springfield MO Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to be directed to The ALS Association – Mid-America Chapter (www.als.org/mid-america), Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri-LifeHouse (www. ccsomo.org/ways-to-give-donate/) or the charity of your choice.

A special thank you to Deanna’s many wonderful care givers and The Neighborhoods of Quail Creek for your care, laughter and love.