Colleen C Brester died July 12, 2021, at RWMC at the age of 79.
Colleen was born on January 14, 1942, in North Hollywood, CA to Claire Larimer & Mickey (Moran) Tuepker. She graduated from Scottsbluff High School. She married Myron C “Sonny” Brester on June 18, 1960, In Hot Springs, SD. They made their home in Scottsbluff, NE.
The couple welcomed 2 children into their loving home, Sonia “Soni” K Brester & Myron C “JR” Brester, Jr. Her children remember her as the “caregiver” of the family and the most loving mom. She was enormously proud of her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. She was hilariously witty without knowing it and a very loyal friend. Despite facing several life challenges, her outlook on life always the “glass half full” which made her an inspiration to all of us.
When first married she worked for her in-laws at the Bluffs 24 Hour Café, then later at Sel Low (Yellow Front), Western National Bank and then worked side by side with Sonny as the owners of Sonny’s Bike Shop from1972 until his retirement around 2004, at which time JR bought the shop and took over the reins. Colleen continued to work there as the person you met when you entered the shop or the one who rang up your purchase when leaving until her death on Monday, July 12, 2021. We honestly believe mom never met a person that she could not strike up a conversation with.
Colleen is survived by her children, Soni (Rick) Smith and JR (Angie) Brester all of Gering, brothers, Keith (Candy) Larimer & Don (Donna) Larimer all of CA, grandchildren, Derek (Katie) Smith of Scottsbluff and Nicole “Nikki” (Chase) Danielzuk of Gering, Justin, Brenden, Carlee & Sydnee Brester of Gering and greatgrandchildren, Reese, Knox, Nash, Barrett & Kennedy, sister in laws, Betty Mason of MI, Joyce Kosel of Gering, & Sharon Larimer of CO, brother in law, Lauren Schumaker of CA, as well as many, many loved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Colleen is preceded in death by her husband, Sonny, parents, Mickey & Leroy “Tip”, stepmother, Martha Tuepker, in-laws, George & Molly Brester, brother-in-law, Al Kosel, brother, Tim Larimer and sister-in-law, Darlene Schumaker.
A funeral is scheduled Monday, July 19th at 2:00 pm at Salem Congregational Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Dale Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Festival of Hope, Panhandle Humane Society or Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be sent to PO Box 156, Gering, NE 69341-0156. Online condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com
The family would like to thank RWMC Emergency Team for their care of our Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt & Friend.
