Jean M. Deke

April 5, 1938 - May 4, 2020

Jean M. Deke, age 82, of Kearney, passed away Monday, May 4, 2020, at Mt. Carmel Home Keens Memorial. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a date when it is safe to gather. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Orphan Grain Train at 601 West Phillip Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68702 www.ogt.org or Mission Central – LCMS World Mission, 40718 Highway E. 16, Mapleton, IA 51034 www.missioncentral.us. Cards can also be sent to Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl – 2421 Avenue A – Kearney, NE 68847. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Jean was born on April 5, 1938 in Miller, NE to Howard W. and Nellie (Karr) Muller. She grew up on the family farm outside of Miller Nebraska and graduated from Miller High School in 1955. She married Dennis G. Gibbons on September 18, 1955 in Miller, Nebraska. Jean and Dennis made their home in Kearney where they raised three children. Dennis preceded her in death in 1993. On October 29, 1994, Jean married Lavern Deke in Kearney. Jean was eager to take on new challenges and held many different jobs, most notably at Kearney Public Schools as a server for the hot lunch program and owner of the Mode O’Day clothing store in Downtown Kearney. Later in life she worked at the Antelope Bookstore and retired from Follett’s Bookstore in 2003. After retirement, Jean and Lavern became California snowbirds to be near their west coast family spending many winters at their second home. Jean was a lifelong member of the Kearney Eagles Auxiliary, a dedicated member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and she relished her adventures with her Red Hat friends, especially the Elvis show. Throughout her life, Jean enjoyed dancing and playing cards. She was proud of her flower garden and was an outstanding baker, cook and seamstress. Family was very important to Jean, and she loved spending time with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Surviving relatives include her husband: Lavern Deke of Kearney; children: Diana Jones (Dave) of Kearney; Dan Gibbons (Carol) of Desert Hot Springs, CA and Kathy Shaffer (Glen) of Boerne, TX; step-sons: David Deke of Gretna, Daniel Deke of Los Angeles, CA and Darin Deke of Conifer, CO; grandchildren: Kristopher Jones (Bridget) of Elm Creek, Stefanie Roper (Matt) of Kearney, Lucas Jones (Kael) of Colorado Springs, CO, Michael Shaffer (Kelsey) of San Antonio, TX, Eryn Shaffer (fiancé Michael Davidson) of Waco, TX, Daniel Gibbons and Rianna Gibbons both of Desert Hot Springs, CA; step-grandchildren: Chris Hellmer and Eric Hellmer (step-sons of Dan Gibbons) both of Desert Hot Springs, CA; Katie Deke and Hunter Deke (children of David Deke) both of Gretna; great grandchildren: Sailor, Savanna, and Maverick Jones, Brooks and Briggs Roper, Hayden and Cannon Jones, and Amelia and Emerson Shaffer; brother: Bill Muller (Susan) of Miller, NE. Jean was preceded in death by her first husband, Dennis G. Gibbons; sisters: Delores Swift and Janice Pfeiffer. The family would like to thank Mt. Carmel Home, especially Melissa Yendra and Emily Birdsley, for their kindness and tender care of Jean in her final days.