Monica Bremer

Monica L. Bremer, age 70, of Holstein, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein.  A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein with the Pastor Keith Hair officiating.

Monica was born to Harold Monteno and Beverly Zupp Leonard on July 28, 1952. She was the oldest of six and thoroughly enjoyed being the bossy big sister. She married Cole Bremer on January 29, 1972, and was blessed to be his wife for over 51 years. Monica welcomed her first daughter, Nicole, in 1974, and her second, Zanniell, in 1979.

In 1997, Monica accomplished the incredible feat of graduating college at the age of 45. Immediately following graduation she began work at Western Iowa Tech Community College and worked there in the Distance Learning Department for almost 20 years.

Although Cole and Monica moved frequently in the early years of their marriage, they finally settled in Washta and raised their family there for almost 20 years. They then moved to Sioux City where they worked and spent their free time spoiling their seven grandchildren. In 2007, they moved to the family farm outside of Holstein where they took over the duties of the farm along with the care of Cole’s mother.

Monica was first and foremost a wife, mother, and Grammy. She devoted her life to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and basically just took care of everyone. She loved spoiling her grandkids and would always take time for a game of Farkle, a trip to the park, or blowing bubbles. No family get-together was complete without Monica’s famous cheesy potatoes and scotcheroos, although she would never share the recipe because she just “dumped a bunch of stuff together.” Monica freely shared her Christian faith and devotion to God and was a member of Lord of Hosts Church in Omaha.

Monica is survived by her husband, Cole, of 51 years; mother-in-law, June Bremer; daughter Nicole and Terry Ekstrand; daughter Zanniell and Brad Zevenbergen; grandchildren Heaven Gaskins and Wes, Christian Ekstrand, Jeremiah Ekstrand and Dakotah, Zed Zevenbergen and Ryli, Zariah Zevenbergen, Abiah Zevenbergen and Glorya Ekstrand; great-grandchildren Nevaeh and Coleson Gaskins; siblings Tina Bernard, Grant Leonard and Barry and Rhonda Leonard; brother-in-law Clint and Jolene Bremer and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Teno and Bev Leonard; father-in-law Harold Bremer; and siblings Zane Leonard and Gina Edwards.