Danielle Lauren (Briggs) Richler

Danielle Lauren (Briggs) Richler

February 24, 1980 – December 22, 2020

Survived by husband, Cameron M. Richler; daughter, Olivia E. Richler; mother, Gail E. Briggs; sister, Rachel V. (Briggs) Stitnicky (Andy); brother, Matt C. Briggs (Heather); mother and father-in law, Pam and Michael Richler; brother and sister-in-law, Darren and Laura Richler; nieces and nephews.

PRAYER SERVICE: Saturday, January 2^nd at 3pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VISITATION observing CDC guidelines from 4pm to 7pm.  Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to an educational fund for Olivia E. Richler.

To view a live broadcast of the Prayer Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page.

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Danielle was born on February 24, 1980 in Omaha, NE to first time parents Daniel and Gail Briggs. To jog your memory this was also the day the US Hockey team won Gold in the Olympics.  A fact Danielle’s father was extremely proud of, for us it was a day of “Miracles.”

Danielle and her father always had a special bond, Dan was Danielle’s hero in many ways and he is the one who nicknamed her “Dano B” in infancy.

Danielle brought so much joy and pride to her family that words could never be enough, however we are taking this opportunity to give you a little insight into her the gift of her life.

Danielle loved being the oldest to her sister “The Middle Child” Rachel and her little brother “Get away with anything Matt”.  As the oldest she always felt responsible for setting a good example as the “rule follower” of the 3 of them.  To the extreme, that her kindergarten teacher called her parents to say “Is this child for real” as she felt it was her place to correct adults as well.  Danielle grew up in a neighborhood where the neighbors were like family, those friendships lasted her entire life.

Danielle took great pride in her work ethic even at a very young age, and the importance of her education and acquiring a wealth of knowledge, constantly searching for better ways to improve herself and help those involved in her life.

As a young schoolgirl thru grade school, junior high and high school years, Danielle enjoyed playing and lettering in team sports, including basketball, softball and soccer.  Danielle earned a scholarship to play soccer in San Antonio, Texas at Trinity University.  Along the way many of her teammates who were her like family became life- long friends.

She never felt at home in San Antonio and after her first semester, hung up her soccer cleats for good, returned to Omaha, to pursue her dream of working within the Criminal Justice system in a capacity that would benefit the community she grew up in.

Arriving back in Omaha while attending UNO, Danielle was blessed to secure an internship working with Dr. Mark Foxall, who she said was like a second dad to her and was definitely a mentor she loved.

Danielle graduated from the University of Omaha, with her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, minor in Sociology and Psychology in 2002 Magna Cum Laude.

She went on to pursue and graduate with her Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice in 2005.

On December 5, 2004 the first love of Danielle’s life, a daughter, Olivia Eileen (Liv) was born.

Danielle was a devoted mother to Liv, wanting only to provide the best life had to offer.  She instilled in her daughter the same dedication and strong work ethic at a very young age.

Danielle loved to share photos and awards earned by Liv thru her gymnastics career, that spanned from the time Liv was 18 months old until she was 15 years old.  One of Danielle’s proudest days was the day Liv set a National record for Level 8 gymnasts scoring a 9.85 out of 10 on the uneven bars.  Just this month that “love of her life” celebrated her 16^th birthday, and they were working together for Liv to get her driver’s license.

In May 2004, just by chance, Danielle’s path crossed that of a young man who played football in Chicago at St. Xavier University, with her sister’s boyfriend / now husband (Andy Stitnicky) at Rachel’s college graduation celebration.

That young football player, was Cameron (Cam) Richler, who, to Danielle’s dismay, as she stated pulling Rachel aside in a panic, on the occasion of a second meeting, “(That’s not who I thought you lined me up with”) Well, needless to say Cam and Danielle did hit it off and were married on October 25, 2008 beginning their journey as a family, with Cam adopting Olivia in December 2010.

Along with Cam and Liv, Danielle tremendously enjoyed her long-time group of close friends. They made it a point and did a tremendous job of getting together on a regular basis to support each other in good times and bad.

Ironically, she also enjoyed the “Friends” TV series and would drive the rest of us crazy reciting Quotes and references from Friends!  It was amazing what stayed in this girl’s head.

Danielle too was an avid reader, especially of crime stories and thoroughly enjoyed several TV / Netflix series as a form of relaxation.

Danielle’s dream of a criminal justice career spanned 20 years, serving both in Douglas and Sarpy County holding administrative positions of Intake Coordinator, Juvenile Probation Officer, Pre-Trial Service Coordinator and Community Corrections Director.

She achieved her goals here on earth and along the way earned the respect of her family, numerous colleagues, and friends.  Her life’s goals were fulfilled and God her Heavenly Father along with Dan, her earthly father wanted her home with them for Christmas 2020.

Danielle’s was our life’s blessing and God put each of you directly in her path here on earth. You were Danielle’s blessings as she loved and cared deeply for each of you.

Danielle was preceded in death by her loving father, Daniel L Briggs; uncle, Rick Briggs; maternal grandparents, U. Victoria (Kosiba) Carstensen, Raymond Kosiba; paternal grandparents, Louis and Eileen Briggs; step grandmother, Marcella Briggs; cousin, Greg Titus.

She is survived by her husband, Cameron (Cam) Richler; daughter, Olivia Richler (Liv); mother, Gail E Briggs; sister, Rachel (Briggs) Stitnicky (Andy); brother, Matt Briggs (Heather); aunt and godmother, Lauren Beck Kosiba (nicknamed “Golego” by Danielle (Cindy), godfather, Michael Davlin; grandfather, Robert (Bob) Carstensen, mother and father-in-law, Pam and Michael Richler, Chicago, IL; brother and sister-in-law, Darren and Laura Richler Champagne, IL. Blessed with loving nephews, Reilly Stitnicky, Lucas Richler; nieces, Elleana, Calissa Emi Jo Stitnicky and Leah Richler; aunts, Mary Ellen (Kip) Emerson, Patty (Tom) Niebauer; cousins: McKenzie and Alexis Beck Kosiba, Laura Titus, David, JT Emerson, Patrick Niebauer, Ben Beau and Lucas Briggs; many amazing friends

Thank you for being there for Danielle, we find peace in knowing she was always surrounded by those who loved her and enjoyed her company.

Be kind to each other and if you take anything from the loss of Danielle, know you need to make every day count, it is a gift and we are never guaranteed tomorrow.

God Bless and Keep you in His care~