Annette M. Shreck 

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 8^th 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. 40^th 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 11^th and 12^th, 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.