Liam Brokish 2011 - 2018

BROKISH, WIENHOLD, BARTSCH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/11/2018 at 05:55:50

Sioux City Journal
4 April 2018

Savoy, Ill., formerly Sioux City

Jessica Lynn Wienhold-Brokish, 41, of Savoy, formerly of Sioux City, along with her children, Finnegan Marshall Brokish, 9, Liam Henry Brokish, 6, and Amelia Irene Brokish, 2, died Friday, March 23, 2018, returning home from a spring break vacation in Texas.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church, 509 S. Mattis Ave., in Champaign, Ill., with the Rev. Jeff Caithamer officiating. Private burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, in Savoy.

Jessica Wienhold was born on Oct. 20, 1976, to Larry and Sandy (Bartsch) Wienhold, in Sioux City. Jessica's love for learning and books began at an early age. The teachers at Epiphany Parochial School in Sioux City guided and inspired her on what became her lifelong passion. Jessica graduated as valedictorian from North High School in Sioux City. While in high school, Jessica played key roles in the girls basketball and track teams. She was in both band and marching band.

Following high school, Jessica attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, where she earned her bachelor of arts degree. As part of her cultural studies, she chose to spend time in Zagreb, Croatia. Following her graduation from Buena Vista, Jessica was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study abroad for a year. She spent that year in Maribor, Slovenia. There she had an internship at the National Theatre of Maribor in the marketing and public relations department. While there, she took classes to improve her German. From her work and her new friends, she also began to learn Slovenian. Friends she made during that year have remained like family to her.

Upon returning from Slovenia, Jessica attended Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where she earned her master of arts. Still on her quest for knowledge and education, Jessica attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, where she earned her Ph.D in comparative literature. Her thesis focused on post-Communist literature which utilized her knowledge of the German, Croatian, and Russian languages.

On Sept. 22, 2007, Jessica married Jeffrey Brokish in Sioux City. They lived in Champaign, while Jessica was completing her Ph.D. After graduation, they moved to Savoy, and began to put down roots. They were blessed with three beautiful children.

Jessica worked for Common Ground Publishing (now Common Ground Research Networks) as a conference program organizer. She was active for a number of years with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). Above everything else, she cherished her children and her family. She excelled in her role as mom.

Jessica is survived by her husband, Jeffrey; her parents Larry and Sandy Wienhold of Sioux City; grandmother, Irene Wienhold of Pocahontas, Iowa; brother and his wife, Dan and Beth Wienhold of Sioux Falls, S.D.; a niece and nephew, Ellie and Simon Wienhold; several aunts and uncles and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by a son Elliot; and her grandparents, Arno and Emma Bartsch, Eunice Bartsch and Bernard Wienhold.

Finnegan was born on Jan. 8, 2009 in Urbana, Ill. He was a third grader at Kenwood Elementary in the Talented and Gifted Program in Champaign. He loved the after-school chess club and everything Pokemon. He also enjoyed playing piano, drawing cartoons and comics, playing soccer, along with programming and playing any game on the computer. Finnegan was always inquisitive about how things worked. He was active in Pack 21 Cub Scouts in Savoy.

Liam was born on July 4, 2011 in Urbana, Ill. He was a first grader at Carrie Busey Elementary in Savoy. He loved being goofy, telling jokes, math, playing soccer, and practicing piano. He was very creative and especially enjoyed constructing complex vehicles with Legos. It was a rare time when you did not see a smile across his face. Liam was a friend to all. He was active in Pack 21 Cub Scouts in Savoy.

Amelia was born on April 13, 2015 in Urbana. She was in the two-year-old class at the First Baptist Church Preschool in Savoy. She loved Mickey and Minnie Mouse, anything pink and sparkling, and her dolls. She was developing into a good soccer player. She enjoyed playing with her older brothers whether they wanted her to or not. Amelia always had a twinkle in her eyes, and her smile was contagious.

The children are survived by their father, Jeffrey; grandparents Larry and Sandy Wienhold of Sioux City, and Harry and Linda Brokish of Champaign; uncles and aunts, Dan and Beth Wienhold of Sioux Falls, and Peter and Patricia Brokish of Frisco, Texas; and numerous extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to fund a new playground at Kenwood Elementary School. Donations should be directed to Kenwood PTA, 1001 Stratford Drive, Champaign, IL 61821. Please include a note that references the playground.