9/16/1942 – 1/30/2018
Jean Marie Baxter Armbrust was born at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha on September 16, 1942. She and her brother Bill were raised in North Omaha by their parents Bill and Clara Baxter. She enjoyed tap dancing, sledding behind their childhood home, and spending time with her enormous family. She attended elementary school at Conestoga and graduated from Omaha North High School in 1960.
Jean received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She met her husband of 54 years, Art, while at University. After graduating, she worked briefly for Northwestern Bell Telephone.
Jean and Art were married in Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church on February 22, 1964. They lived in a basement apartment in midtown Omaha before moving to their first home, west of Millard (before Millard existed much) on Harrison Street. The house was in great need of remodel (and some raccoons needed to be evicted) before it became the family home for 37 years. They expanded their 4-room house to accommodate the arrival of their girls Laurie, Beth, and Carolyn. In 2002 they moved to their home in Gretna.
Jean spent many years as a room mother, Bluebird leader, track and field cheerleader, and taxi driver for the girls (plus many of their friends). She served as club secretary for both the German Shorthair Pointer club of Nebraska and the National German Shorthair Pointer Club of America and the field trial secretary for both the NGSPA and the German Shorthair Pointer Club of America. She was the editor for Shorthair Magazine from 1990—1994. In 2010 she was inducted into the German Shorthair Pointer Hall of Fame in Grand Junction, Tennessee.
Jean was very involved in the Douglas County Extension club, Omaha Panhellenic, and her St.Paul’s Lutheran Church Circle group.
She was very supportive of Art’s raising and training dogs as well as her daughters’ track meets, choir concerts, plays, writing, 4-H, triathlons, and countless other activities.
She was affectionately referred to as “grandma-ma” by her only granddaughter Sydney. Together, they spent many hours having movie marathons (Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings among their favorites), knitting, and playing cards.
Jean considered her three sons-in-law as her own sons and enjoyed teasing them and being teased in return.
Jean was an avid reader and read every Agatha Christie book ever written. She loved puzzles, crosswords, and playing games and cards. She loved going out to meals with her friends and family.
Jean is loved by so many friends and family. She will be remembered for her wit, her kindness, and her tenacity. She will never be forgotten and can never be duplicated.
“I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night”–Sarah Williams
She was preceded in death by her parents William & Clara Baxter; brother Bill Baxter; Survived by Husband of 54 years: Arthur Armbrust; Children: Laurie & Mike Arndorfer, Bethany & Don Koubsky, Carolyn & Lee Helmberger; Granddaughter: Sydney Arndorfer; Dear Friend: Peanut (the Yorkie); numerous Nieces, Nephews, & Friends.
Visitation Friday 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Roeder Mortuary 11710 Standing Stone Drive Gretna, Nebraska; Celebration of Life 11:00 AM Saturday (2/3/2018) at Trinity Lutheran Church 330 W Halleck Street Papillion, Nebraska; Interment Saturday 9:30 AM at Evergreen Memorial Park Omaha, Nebraska
Memorials to American Lung Association
Donations may also be made at: http://www.lung.org/
I am so sorry for your loss. And it was a big one…such a deeply loved and wonderful “Lady” whom so many will miss. Love and prayers to all of you!