Jacqueline C. Gardner-Smith, 74, died Monday, November 26th, 2012, at Mitchell Care Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Jackie was born March 5th, 1938, in Longmont, Colorado, to Harry and Evelyn (Madsen) Gardner. She grew up in Cozad and attended school there. Jackie moved to California where she married Don Brakeman and had one son, Bret Brakeman. She later married William Holstein and moved to Hawaii where their daughter, Hina (Heggem), was born.

Jackie worked for JC Penny Co. and then became an LPN and EKG tech. The family moved to various places including Texas, Arizona and Florida. Eventually, Jackie settled with her daughter in Cozad, Nebraska, where she helped her parents run the Evening Star Motel. She later married Michael Smith and moved to Sutherland, Nebraska and worked in Home Health Care until her illness.
Jackie’s life never lacked for adventure and she was a hard worker. She traveled extensively and lived in several states.

Survivors include her daughter, Hina (Justin) Heggem of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; grandchildren, Jackson, Ben, Grace and Evan Heggem, all of Scottsbluff; son, Bret (Valerie) Brakeman of Hanford, California; grandchildren, Tanya, Travis and Theresa Brakeman, all of Hanford, California; nephews and niece, Billy, Chris and Josh Gardner of California and Nick, Skip and Jeff Maloley and Jody Maloley, all of Colorado and Nebraska.

Preceding Jackie in death were her parents, Harry and Evelyn Gardner; husband Michael Smith, sister, Lynda (Gardner) Maloley; and brother, Richard Gardner.

A funeral service were held Friday, December 7th, 2012, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Ken Maldonado officiating.Interment was Saturday, December 8th, at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Cozad. Memorials may be made in care of the family and will be designated at a later date.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jolliffefuneralhome.com.