Amanda Rene (Moore) Bragg, passed away peacefully with family by her side Wednesday, June 8, at UNMC, Omaha, NE after a courageous over eight-month battle with a very aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia-AML. A perfect match Stem Cell Transplant from her brother, Tony, April 26, 2016, had provided the hope and signs her battle would be successful, until the devastating news came the end of May that the AML was back.
Amanda was the only daughter born to John and Shirley (Gillespie) Moore on October 12, 1979, in Lincoln, NE. She became the wife of Zachary Bragg on September 22, 2001, in Firth, NE, and together became the parents of a precious seven year-old son, Patrick John.
Amanda grew up on an acreage near Panama, NE, where she had the opportunity to experience some of the more rural aspects of life. She loved the country sounds of wild life, butterflies, flowers, and animals, but her favorite ones were always the litters of very tolerant kitties that provided a little girl with brothers many hours of entertainment, and a love of them that was maintained through her life. She participated in 4-H winning ribbons at the County Fair for her chickens, and in more recent years for her decadent Old-fashioned Fudge.
Her varied interests included participating in the Lincoln Community Playhouse, in capacities both on stage, and behind the scenes, an interest she developed from her high school days at Norris Public Schools, where she was active in Speech and Drama, as well as cheerleading. During Amanda’s junior year in high school, her family hosted Patrycja Kasica from Warsaw, Poland. The girls developed a strong bond, and Pat and Amanda have maintained their friendship, sisterhood, and love over the long distance these past twenty years.
Travel was something Amanda enjoyed immensely, and besides many trips domestically with her parents, and later with her own family, she had also visited Greece, Turkey, and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
Amanda had a vibrant imagination which was evidenced in her love of writing, needlework, and hand crafts, and also provided for the ‘adventures’ which she loved to plan and share with Patrick and Zac.
All kinds of music, and particularly traditional country, in the genre of Patsy Cline, was her favorite. One day, Amanda shocked the family with a voice they did not know existed, or had ever heard before. She was a beautiful singer, and played piano, clarinet, and guitar.
She grew her beautiful hair out several times to have it cut for Locks of Love, which provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis, and was active in the Cancer Walk For Life in the past.
She enjoyed her work as Event Planner for the Cornhusker, and her time at Lincoln Benefit Life, which when ended, provided her the opportunity to pursue a dream she had about cupcakes. Since 2009, Amanda used her creative talents to dream up unique cupcake flavors and combinations. Many a ‘sweet’ tooth has been satisfied with her fare available through the Haymarket and Fallbrook Farmers Markets, and ultimately her shop, PJs Baby Cakes, named after her son, Patrick.
Amanda had the distinction of being the first cupcake specialty shop in Lincoln, and in 2014, they moved the shop from Lincoln to Waverly to be more accessible to the needs of Patrick, who was getting ready to start school.
Amanda loved to read, and always wanted her own library in her home. She imparted this love of reading to Patrick, and was so proud of his reading ability, and eagerness to show his progress in reading to her. Some of her many books will provide enjoyment to others as per her request. Christmas, Halloween, and family reunions were some of her favorite occasions. And especially shared her love of those with Zac and Patrick. Time with family was important to her and the future lack of her presence at all things family will put an ache in the hearts of those who loved her so.
Those who will miss Amanda’s beautiful smile and eyes are: her beloved husband, Zac, and son Patrick; her parents, John and Shirley Moore, Hickman, NE; brothers, John Jr. (Michelle) of Omaha, Anthony (Jolene) of Waverly, and James (Paige) of Firth, NE; Foreign Exchange sister, Patrycja Kasica of Warsaw, Poland; parents-in-law, Bonnie and Ray Bragg, Omaha; brothers-in-law; Ted Bragg, Santa Rosa, CA, Matt Bragg (Char), Lincoln, John Bernal, Omaha; sisters-in-law Bonita Bragg, San Diego, CA, Marcy Knobbe (Pat), Omaha. Amanda also leaves six nieces whom she adored: Maggie, Abby, Karlee, Zoe, and Aeva Moore, and Justine Bragg; two nephews; Landon Robertson and Noah Bragg who will miss out on her love of little boys; uncles; David Gillespie (Vicky), Rapid City, SD, Darrell Gillespie (Sue),Absarokee, MT, Clint Moore (Nancy), Mesa, AZ; an aunt, Judy (Gillespie) Lawson, Lincoln, as well as many cousins, relatives, and friends.
Amanda will be joining: her grandparents: Lee and Elizabeth (Crumrine) Gillespie, and Marvin and Lena Moore; two uncles, Raymond Lawson and Charles Brubaker; an aunt, Karen (Gillespie) Brubaker; and a niece, Nevaeh Miller-Moore.
Pallbearers: Pat Knobbe, Ted Bragg, Matt Bragg, Eric Simantel, Chris Stampfl, Colby Huenink
Honorary Pallbearers: Patrick Bragg, John Jr. Moore, Anthony Moore, James Moore, Landon Robertson, Noah Bragg
Visitation beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 13, with family greeting relatives and friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Roper and Sons Funeral Home,10851 North 148th Street, Waverly, NE.
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2016, Roper and Sons Funeral Homes, 10851 North 148th Street, Waverly, NE, with Rich Rock officiating.
Memorials, in lieu of flowers, to the Bragg Family. Use to be determined at a later date.