Jessie A. "Gram" Bruhn

Jessie “Gram” Bruhn, 85, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Monday, July 3, 2017, at her home in Lexington. She was born October 10, 1931, in New York City, New York, to Fred and Katie (Williamson) Williams. She moved to Grand Island, Nebraska where she attended school and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1950. That same year she met the love of her life when he asked her to dance to "The Blue Skirt Waltz", and on June 30, 1950, she was united in marriage with Kenneth Bruhn in the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island. They had two daughters and moved extensively throughout their marriage, following Kenneth's work constructing the Titan and Minuteman missile system in Wyoming, Colorado, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska. In 1969 the family settled in Aurora NE. Jessie was a member of the Aurora United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Yarn Spinner group crocheting prayer shawls for those needing comfort and healing. Following the loss of her husband in 1988 Jessie opened Gram's Daycare. She became Gram to every child in her care and she loved them deeply. In 2010 her health began to fail so she closed her daycare and relocated to Lexington Ne to live in the care of her daughter Gerri. She loved crafting, flower arranging, house plants, crocheting, watching TV and her IPad. Her greatest love though was spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. Jessie was a devoted and loving mother. She loved holidays and family get-togethers; any chance to spend time with her family was important to her. She was very proud of her family and she leaves all her children and grandchildren with the knowledge that they were truly loved. Jessie was known for her feisty, yet good sense of humor. Her generous heart filled her home with love, fun, and an attitude that there was always room for one more. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her. Jessie is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Rex) Nissen of Aurora, Nebraska, and Gerri (Jack) Govier of Lexington, Nebraska; one sister, Barbara Giesenhagen of Green River, Wyoming; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Duane) Osnes of Kearney, Nebraska, Ryan (Janelle) Nissen of Omaha, Nebraska, Jeff (Jill) Govier of Elkorn, Nebraska, Matt (Brandie) Nissen of Alma, Nebraska, Ashley Nissen of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Jamie Nissen of Aurora, Nebraska; nine great-grandchildren; two honorary grandchildren, Michaela Dahlke of Hubert, North Carolina, and Alicia Elson of Grand Island, Nebraska; one sister-in-law, Gayle Schweiger of Grand Island, Nebraska; several nieces and nephews, as well as her Day Care families. Jessie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth Bruhn; three brothers, Alfred, Richard, and George Williams; and two sisters, Mary Smith and Katherine “Kay” Carter. It was Jessie’s wishes that her body be cremated. There will be no visitation. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be Friday, July 7, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home in Grand Island, Nebraska with Pastors Jack Govier and Duane Osnes officiating. Inurnment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home and Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements. To share online condolences with the family, please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.