Mrs. Evelyn F Briza

Evelyn Francis (Schroeder) Briza was born May 23, 1917, in rural Cuming County, near Uehling, NE, the daughter of George H. and Martha Pribnow Schroeder. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church on the Dodge/Cuming County line. Evelyn attended Rural School District #68 in Cuming County and graduated as Valedictorian from Uehling High School. Evelyn attended Wayne State Teachers College for two years and continued her education at Midland College in Fremont, NE.

Evelyn taught six years in Rural School District #52, Cuming County, where she was the sole teacher for kindergarten through 8th grade. With the encouragement of her parents, Evelyn left teaching, moved to Omaha and studied at Commercial Extension Business School. After graduating in 1941, she worked for Fuchs Machinery in Omaha where she advanced to the position of Executive Assistant to Mr. A. A. Fuchs, President.

Evelyn married William E. Briza on June 7, 1952, at St. Patrick’s Church in Fremont, NE. Evelyn met her future husband at a dance and the two of them enjoyed going to dances around the area for many years.

Bill and Evelyn owned and operated Briza Radio and Television Service in South Omaha and grew the company into two other locations in Benson and Plattsmouth. The company was recognized for hiring disabled servicemen. In 1970 after 25 years of service, they sold the business and retired.

Evelyn dedicated her life to lovingly and tirelessly caring for her husband Bill who was injured during World War II in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Bill and Evelyn strongly supported the Disabled American Veterans Organization and traveled throughout the country attending DAV events as Publicity Service Persons. Evelyn received the DAV Woman of the Year award from the DAV Auxiliary. Evelyn also volunteered for the Veterans Hospital, Purple Heart Organization, and Fitzgerald Veterans Home.

Evelyn became a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Ralston, Nebraska, in November 1969 where she was active in weekly worship. For many years she also attended a second Sunday service with her husband at St. Gerald’s Catholic Church.

Evelyn enjoyed creating crafts and stitched items for local church bazaars, mission projects, Marine Toys for Tots, and the DAV. Her interests were painting, writing, drawing cartoons, sewing quilts and doll clothes, and watching The Lawrence Welk show.

Survivors include: Sister-in-law, Marie Trawicki, Valley, NE; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Briza; her parents, George and Martha Schroeder; sister, Lillian Schroeder Johnson; brother, the Reverend Norman Schroeder; sister, Shirley Schroeder Popken; and infant sister, Sylvia Schroeder.

Evelyn’s notes included this thought: “I want to be remembered as being kind to others, not hurting anyone’s feelings, and forgiving those who were unkind to me or my loved ones.”

A celebration of Evelyn’s life will be Monday, November 5, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., Messiah Lutheran Church, 5015 South 80th St., Ralston, NE 68127. Committal will be at Westlawn-Hillcrest Cemetery. A lunch will follow at Messiah Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be directed to the Messiah Lutheran Church, 5015 South 80th St., Ralston, NE 68127 or through the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) contributions page on their website.