Annette M. Shreck
February 20, 1949 – July 2, 2022
On July 2, 2022, Annette Marie Shreck passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family. After a 2-year battle with ovarian cancer she has left this earth to be with her heavenly father. Annette was a wife, mom, Nonna & friend. She was married to Jim Shreck for 52 years, mom to: Julie Fuhrman (David), Jennifer Schultz (Ryan), Suzanne Meloche (BJ) and Nonna to: Nolan, Emree and Cora Meloche and Kilian and Eila Schultz. We can’t forget her many grand dogs: Bella, Lily, Nemo, Molly, Stewart, Chewie, Finn, Stella, Lucy, Gracie, Wyley and her newest Chip. In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her brother, Joseph Erspamer; her sisters in law: Sonja Erspamer, Jackie Erspamer and Susan Shreck, as well as many nieces & nephews.
In addition, shortly before her passing she was blessed to have found a biological sibling, James “Jim” Bradley, and his family.
She was preceded in death by parents, Adele & Joseph G. Erspamer; brother, Tony Erspamer; sisters, Beverly (Dick) Green, Joni Erspamer; brother-in-law, Robert Shreck.
Annette was born in Omaha on February 20, 1949, grew up in the Dundee area and attended Saint Cecelia’s Cathedral School from kindergarten through graduation. In 8th grade she was honored as the May Queen at the Cathedral, for the crowning of the Blessed Mother, a significant part of Annette’s journey as a Catholic. As a child growing up, Annette enjoyed her summers fishing, boating & water skiing at their family cabin on Lake Washburn in Outing, Minnesota. After attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha for two years she enrolled in the Clarkson College School of Nursing where she received her Registered Nurse (RN) degree in 1972. Annette met Jim in 1969 while he was a freshman in medical school, they married in 1970 and left Omaha in 1972 for his Naval medical internship in San Diego, California. For several years Annette ran a very busy emergency room as well as managing the busy life of a Navy wife. In 1976 Annette gave birth to Julie Nichole and in 1978 gave birth to her twins Jennifer Lauren & Suzanne Marie.
For 22 years Annette & Jim served in the Navy which took them to many incredible places. They settled in North Platte, Nebraska in 1988, spending the next 31 years running their Ophthalmology practice and raising three daughters. While there, Annette was the best stay at home mom and took pride in every aspect of her role. In her “spare” time, she taught Developing Capable People, painted scenery and sewed costumes at the community playhouse, threw the best cast parties for the many shows she and Jim were involved in, was an avid golfer, was an active member of PEO Chapter EB, never forgot to send a card for a birthday or anniversary and was a “mom” to many. In 2007 Annette and Jim decided it was time to look to the future, so they purchased a second home in Key West, Florida (the southernmost point of the USA). In 2019 they sold their North Platte home and returned to Omaha part time for family, football, and ease of travel.
During their all too infrequent visits to Key West, Annette enjoyed gardening, riding her bike, walking along the beach, attending the nightly sunset celebration, strolling and shopping on Duval Street and sampling amazing food. She was truly passionate about her cooking and could always be found wearing her signature apron while preparing food for the masses in her kitchen. A “master” of LARGE portions, she always made sure there was plenty of food for anyone that might show up, especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas. When the “apron” was missing from the kitchen, we knew she was in the laundry room.
Above all, the most important things to her were being a mother and a Nonna. Her love was truly unconditional. The time spent with each one of her daughters, sons in law, grand babies and grand dogs was so very precious to her. She had a knack for connecting with each one of them on a very personal level. Her family was her life and she loved us all with her whole heart and soul. Her faith in God and belief in the power of the saints was very strong. She taught us how to love, how to persevere and how to be strong in the most difficult of times all while tackling life with true grace. “We are not quitters,” she used to always say; or “I will light that candle for you and pray all will be fine”. Today we light a candle in remembrance of our mom just as she always did for us. As we move forward in our lives, when we hear the thunder rumble, we will know she is in heaven bowling with the angels.
We invite you to celebrate her life as she begins her journey stopping first at the rainbow bridge to gather her many creatures. Then together they will travel to a better place where she will be at peace with God and all of those that have gone before her. Gone from our life, but never absent from our hearts.
Family will receive friends Monday, July 11, 2022, from 4:30-6:30PM at West Center Chapel with Prayer Service at 6:30PM.
Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 11:15AM at St. Cecilia Cathedral (701 N. 40th Street)
Private Interment: Omaha National Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Florida Keys SPCA – www.fkspca.org/donate/, or the charity of your choice in Annette’s name. You all know just how much she loved animals…especially her many grand dogs.
Attire requested – in honor of her love for color and all things vibrant, please wear something bright to her visitation and funeral. If you can’t attend, please consider doing this in her honor on July 11th and 12th, while we celebrate her life.
To view a Live Broadcast of the Prayer Service and Funeral Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and press the “View Live Cast” button on the top of the homepage.
30 Comments
Jennifer and I are very sorry for your loss, we pray for God’s peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Beautiful Shreck Family and to our Annette. We couldn’t have been more blessed to have you as Natalie’s second family. There was no one who could have cared and nutured like Annette. We love you each one and Annette will always be held as close as family in our hearts. God be with you each one and show you that Annette is with you in spirit in everything you do. Jim we have an open door any time you are in Lincoln.
Much Love Paul and Nelda Hunt.
We are so very sorry for the loss of Annette. We always enjoyed our time with her while working in the yard at the lake. Whenever I see or hear of Italian food, I think of her! She always had a way of making us feel welcome and like family. Our lives are better to have known her and she will be greatly missed. We will keep you all in our prayers. Randy and Penny Billingsley
We love you Jen! We are praying for peace and healing for your family! Sending all the love your way! We’ve been thinking about you and your family daily! ❤️
At peace and at rest. So very sorry for your loss. Jim if you get out west, please stop by. Always welcome.
RIP Annette. Prayers sent to all. Very Sad!!
May God comfort you at this time.
Dear Jim, Julie, Jenifer and Suzanne – all other family – I was so saddened to her about Annette. You were all a very special part of our lives in North Platte. Always remember her as the sweetheart she was – her beautiful smile and twinkling eyes. Rest In Peace Annette – GodBless you all
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. Rest easy Annette. Continue to keep us out of trouble. Love to you all and thoughts and prayers to you during this difficult time.
So many prayers and thoughts are with you all right now. Rest easy, Annette. Please continue to keep us out of trouble. You will be forever missed. Love to you all.
Praying you will be comforted with precious memories. May God’s presence take care of you in your loss. God Bless.
Heaven is welcoming home a precious angel.. Annette and her family were very special to me as they were a big part of my life watching the girls grow and become the beautiful woman they are today . May each
Of you find comfort in the coming days knowing your Mom is looking down on you with love.. with all the wonderful memories that you hold in your hearts she will never be more than a thought away . Hugs and prayers to all of you .💕🙏💕
My heart goes out to you and your family Suz. What a beautiful tribute to your mother. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Lots of love from The Allen’s. It was a blessing to have aunt annette in our lives. She will be missed greatly. Love you all. Jessica Allen
All my love to the Shreck girls and Jim. Having recently experienced a loss of a great person in my life-I know how your heart aches from the hole that is left. All I can really offer is my love and support. I am always here for any of you. Annette was one of a kind. I am grateful to have known her and to have tasted her cooking and to have witnessed her motherly love.
Jim and Family, praying that you will be comforted with precious memories. May God’s presence take care of you in your loss. God Bless.
Blessings upon you all
I hold fond memories of Annette and her goodness.
My prayers and deepest sympathies are with you all.
May the saints welcome her to eternal life.
My prayers are with all of you. Your Mom was a dear friend and I have beautiful memories of her. Don all way call her his favorite nurse. Her family was her whole life.
Out prayers are with all of you Annette was truly one of the most loving and caring woman I ever knew. Her family was her whole life. She had a impact on Don’s and my life. We have wonderful memories of time with her and Jim.
Jim, Julie, Jennifer and Suzanne,
Our sincere condolences to you as you maneuver through this difficult time. Annette was such a big presence in all of our lives, the typical loving mom to EVERYONE she met, the friend that always listened to you no matter how busy she was, that smile that could light up a room! She will be be dearly missed. Blessings to you and your families, memories that will sustain you a lifetime and the warmth of our Lords loving arms to surround you always.
Much Love,
Jeff and Robyn
Jim, Julie, Jennifer & Suzanne,
Relief from suffering is a blessing but doesn’t make it easier for those who miss her so. Know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending prayers, Debbie (Kristi’s mom) Watson
Dear Jim, Julie, Suzanne and Jennifer and families,
There are no words to convey what a loss Annette’s passing has meant! She was a wonderful friend! When you came to S.L.C., we bonded over so many things…our three girls, being Italian, and a love of cooking and family. She was important in my life and I will miss her more than words can say! I know that she did everything she could to stay for her beloved family.
She is with God now and I’m sure she is cooking all things Italian with her dear ones as well as mine! God bless and comfort all of you as you go forward! Know that she is looking out for you and loving you forever! Love, Cynthia and Tony
We are so sorry. God bless you.
I am so very sorry for your loss of Annette. She was a lovely lady. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim, Julie, Jen, and Suz: I was soooo sorry to learn of Annette’s passing. She certainly gave it a good fight. Russy and I really enjoyed our times with you in Salt Lake and in North Platte for Nebraska land days. I can still picture her in the kitchen with the infamous apron on whipping up a feast for whoever was there. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. If you ever get to Salt Lake, I would love to see you. Amy, Jennie Carey and I will all be lighting candles tonight, to honor Annette. Love you all, Beanie
Our most sincere condolences to Jim, Jen, Julie and Suzanne on the passing of Annette, we had the privilege of meeting Annette on our stay in severance and we fell in love with her immediately, she was the most loving woman and mother and wel never forget her! A candle will burn bright here in Ireland for you tonight Annette,xx
Sending the Shreck girls so much love in this time of sadness. What a beautiful mother she will always be. I remember her as a lover and nurturer. I am so sad to know of her struggle. She is an angel now and will never be forgotten. Sending so much love to the whole family.
Annette’s parents, Joe and Del Erspamer, were my parents’ best friends and Annette and I spent endless family gatherings together as we were growing up. . We were the same age so we we’re classmates throughout our years at St. Cecilia’s Grade School and Cathedral High School. Annette was always a dear friend and I can only offer my most sincere condolences to Jim and her entire family. She was as an adult what she was as a child: a wonderful, wonderful spirit to be around. -Bob Gerken
Dear Jim and girls,
You were our neighbors for your time in Bremerton. Your girls were little. The twins were dealing with meningitis . Annette was so calming with all three of you. I so wished we could have come to key west to visit. Yes, we were able to attend a very festive dinner. Jim also made a yummy chicken liver pâté.. I would love the recipe. I can only imagine the hole in your hearts. The annual Christmas letters always shared the love of family. . Hugs to all.
Jim, Julie, Suzanne, and Jennifer,
We are heartbroken for you all. We remember so many good times with Jim and Annette in the early years with the Navy in San Diego. After our son was born and we were expecting again, Annette gave us her maternity clothes and we had twin girls too. We remember taking a picture of all six of you sitting on the patio behind our house. Although we saw you infrequently over the subsequent years, we have always felt a very close connection to you and still do. We pray for comfort for all of you. May God bless you.
With all our love,
Bill and Barbara Bell
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