Arlene Brabec, age 91 of Clarkson, entered into eternal rest on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 at the Columbus Community Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 10:30 AM, at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson with Fr. Rod Kneifl celebrating the Mass.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM with a vigil service at 7:00 PM, all at the church.  Visitation continues on Friday from 9:30 AM until Mass time, also at the church.  Interment will be in the parish cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to those of the donor or family choice.

Arlene was born on November 22, 1932 north of Howells, NE to Jerry and Agnes (Seda) Jonas.  She was the youngest of five siblings.  Arlene's parents moved north of Clarkson her senior year of High School, and not wanting to leave her classmates, she lived with her sister and brother-in-law her senior year so she could graduate from Howells.

At a dance in Howells, she met a young man by the name of Edward Brabec, which resulted in her moving to Oceanside, CA where he would be stationed in the Marines.  Edward and Arlene were married in Oceanside on March 19, 1953.  Their first child was born in Oceanside in 1954.  After Edward's honorable discharge from the Marines, they had an opportunity to remain in California, but decided to return to Nebraska to be near family and continue farming, thus Arlene got on an airplane with a two-week old baby and flew home while Edward drove back with all their belongings.

Arlene was an incredibly hard worker, raising five children, tending to a large garden, raising ducks (that she became very known for), and working full-time outside of the home.  She worked at Torin Products in Columbus for many years followed by the Schuyler Nursing Home.

Arlene was also known for her gift of cooking, which she acquired from her mother.  She tells the story of how she learned to bake by making cakes for her dad, brothers, and neighbors while they were thrashing.  She continued to share her talent with her family and loved ones and was known for her delicious potato salad and duck/dumplings. She read cookbooks as if they were novels.  Arlene will also be remembered for her quick wit and subtle sense of humor, which was a Jonas trait.

Arlene is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that she absolutely adored:
Sons:  Randy (Vicki) Brabec, Glenn (Peg) Brabec, and Paul Brabec of Clarkson.
Daughters:  Deb (Tom) Moore and Brenda (Doug) Blatchford of Columbus.
Grandchildren:  Ben (Leah) Brabec, Denver, CO; Dr. Brady (Anne) Brabec, Minneapolis MN; Matthew (Amanda) Brabec, Clarkson; Rachel (Jarrett) Koch, Leigh; Dr. Jenna (Grant) Essink, Gretna; and Kara (fiancé Brandon Heuermann) Moore, Portland, OR.
Step-Grandchildren:  Alisha (Justin) Gubbels, Hickman; Audra (Ryan) Pace, Omaha; and Michael (Anna) Blatchford, Omaha.
Great-Grandchildren:  Everett Brabec, Rosemary Brabec, Cru and Lucy Koch, Camron and Hudson Brabec, and Ezekiel Essink.
Step-Great-Grandchildren:  Mason, Grady, and Anistyn Gubbels, Willow, Wells, and Wade Pace, and Anderson and Chandler Blatchford.
In-laws:  Donald Votava, Bernie and Vera Wieman, Gerald and Rita Brabec, and Shirley Brabec
Numerous nephews and nieces

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Edward, son Brian, parents Jerry and Agnes, and siblings Lillian Miller, Elsie Petricek, Leonard Jonas, and Alvin Jonas, and in-laws Marlene Votava, Sharon Brabec, and Dean Brabec.