JEANNE EVELYN ROHDE BREWER
Jeanne Evelyn Rohde Brewer, age 73, of Kahoka, MO, passed away on Thursday,September 23, 2004 at Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal, MO.
She was born February 16, 1931 in Oak Park, IL, a daughter of Raymond and Evelyn Schneider Rohde.
She married Richard D. "Dick" Brewer June 18, 1955 in Maywood, IL. He preceded her in death on July 7, 1998.
Surviving are two sons, Ronald D. Brewer and his wife, Mary, of Kahoka, and Jon W.Brewer and his wife, Kelli, of Palmyra, MO; four grandsons, Zachary and Adam of Kahoka, and Ryne and Teran of Palmyra. Also several cousins survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
After graduating from Proviso Township High School in Maywood, IL in 1948, she attended Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. Graduating in 1952 with a BA in music and elementary education, she taught music at the Kahoka elementary and high school and later at Granger elementary and high school. She also taught elementary grades at St. Francisville and Alexandria, MO, Argyle, IA, and Maywood, IL. She taught adult basic education at the Manpower Development Training School in Palmyra, MO where her husband was the coordinator, 1965-1973.
A lover of music, she formed and directed a senior citizens choir called "The Gay 90ers" for the Colorado Springs recreation department in 1955-56 while Dick was at Ft. Carson following his return from Korea.
In 1957, she was co-director of the Kahoka Centennial choir. An Elvis Presley fan, she was president of the "Elvis Heart of Gold Fan Club".
Mrs. Brewer, along with her husband, was a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for 15 years where she served as flotilla commander, division and district magazine editor, and national PR assistant. They were members of and helped form the Palmyra and Keokuk flotillas.
A photographer for 25 years in Palmyra and Kahoka, she was a correspondent for the Quincy Herald-Whig for 14 years and contributed to "The Media", the Daily Gate City and KOKX radio.
Mrs. Brewer had served as president of the Kahoka Business and Professional Women. She was president of the Herman Blum Post 192 American Legion Auxiliary, and helped form and was first president of the Ayer-Boatman Post 4342 VFW Auxiliary. She represented her business as a member and secretary of the Kahoka/Clark County Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband helped form the Great River Ramblers (Palmyra) and the NEMO Indians (Kahoka) NCHA camping clubs. She was also a member of the Clark County Historical Society and a founding committee member of the Mule Festival.
The Brewers founded B Industries, Ltd., known as Brewer & Sons Wrecker Service and Machine Shop where she helped run the office.
Following the death of her husband, she formed an AARP Grief & Loss/Widowed Persons Service Program and "the WOW group". She edited "Caring Hearts", a newsletter for the Missouri AARP State G&L programs. Having been afflicted with arthritis since a teenager, she was an advocate of the disabled. Unable to use her hands for handwork, she pursued her ideas in other ways by helping to make it a better place for the handicapped and others. She was a member of the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka.
She was instrumental in the building of the military monument in the Clark County courthouse lawn and erecting of the marble sign at the new entrance of the Kahoka Cemetery. She remained very supportive of the military by sponsoring the "Military Roll Call" in the "Media" and the "Yellow Ribbon" campaign. She was a member and secretary of the Kahoka Cemetery Board and member of the Illiamo Model T Club. In addition to her love of music, she enjoyed camping, boating, traveling, and especially loved her family.
Funeral services are Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 2:30 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with burial and American Legion and V.F.W. Auxiliary Rites in Kahoka Cemetery.
Officiating the service will be Rev. Dan Deatrick and Pastor Alvin Kent Lewis.
Friends can call after 9 a.m. on Saturday with family receiving friends 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Wilson Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Kahoka Cemetery Auxiliary for Headstone Restoration Fund or to the donor's choice.
Visits: 17
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors