Esther Lillian Brockmann
Esther Lillian Brockmann, daughter of Pastor Marcus and Lillie (Grobengeiser) Gerike, was born on January 26, 1935, at Casper, Wyoming. She went to be with the Lord on January 16, 2026.
Esther was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Casper, Wyoming, by her father. When she was eight, her family moved to a parish eight miles south of Wisner, where her father was pastor at Zion Lutheran Church. Esther graduated from Wisner High School and then attended Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1956 with a registered nursing degree.
On September 30, 1956, Esther married Norbert Brockmann at Zion Lutheran Church in Wisner. The couple was married by Esther’s father. They moved to New London, Connecticut, where Norbert completed his tour in the Navy. In the spring of 1957, the couple moved to Lincoln, where Esther worked at Bryan Memorial Hospital, and Norbert attended the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. After Norbert graduated in 1961, the couple moved to North Platte, then to Grand Island, and in 1969, they moved to their farm near Dannebrog.
Esther worked at the Lutheran Hospital, Home Health, Grand Island Clinic, the Veterans Hospital, and the Grand Island Veterans Home. She retired completely in 2011.
Esther was active at their church wherever they lived. She and Norbert enjoyed traveling around the country in their RV, especially enjoying Husker weekends in Lincoln for football and volleyball games. Esther was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Nysted, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, was active in Women of Faith, and considered Faith Lutheran Church as her second family.
Esther is survived by their four children, Sue (Lynn) Nielsen of Hastings, Jim (Elizabeth)
The Phonograph-Herald | January 28, 2026
Brockmann of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Dan (Deb) Brockmann of Grand Island, and Ron Brockmann of Doniphan; seven grandchildren, Jessica Trausch, Dustin (Brooke) Belyeu, Jayme (Rory) Volk, Amye (Jeremy) Butcher, Zeb Brockmann, and Max and Ben Brockmann; ten great-grandchildren, Cheyenne and Eric Fielder, Kiran and Marley Belyeu, Parker, Easton and Harper Volk; and Paisley, Cohen, and Quinnley Butcher; sister, Ann Gerike of Sandy Spring, Maryland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Norbert, in 2011; her parents; brother, Bill (Elaine); sisters, Lois (Raymond) and Eunice; parentsin- law, Emil and Hattie Brockmann; sisters-inlaw, Ivy and Mardell; and brother-in-law, Melburn ( Marian).
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Jacobsen-Greenway- Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.jacobsengreenway. com