Brenda Sue (Canning) Royer was born Oct. 9, 1952, in Munden, Kansas, to Virgil and Ruth (Corbit) Canning and passed away June 21, 2023, in Omaha at the age of 70 years, 8 months and 12 days.
God blessed me with generations of Christian foundation on both sides of my family who started me on my lifelong journey with Jesus on the day I was born. I married into another with Don's parents and siblings. I strived to be Jesus' servant to my family, friends and community throughout my life with His guidance and help. I was always encouraged by Dad and Mom that I could do whatever I pursued. Great mentors: Grammy, Grandma, Dad and Mom. After graduating from Wayne State College with a major in mathematics, I spent 42 years progressing through mainframe computer programmer (there's a blast from the past), marketing financial analyst and database analyst.
Then I retired with another blast from the past: pensions. In my late 30s, I met a man at church, invited him to lunch and my small group Bible study. We became great friends over four years, and I knew Don Royer was a man who knew and loved Jesus, too. After one date, three weeks for him to think about it and time to buy a ring he blindsided me with a proposal! I knew on the spot my love for him had been growing and I said YES! I was blessed every day of our 27 years of marriage to be married to a loving caregiver husband who prayed with me and for me when the words wouldn't come. We made each other laugh. We never let a day go by without at least one hug. “I loved you, Don, to the moon and back.”
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Canning (Seward); father-in-law, Bert Royer (Underwood, Iowa).
Survivors cherishing her memory include her husband, Don Royer (Omaha); father and wife, Virgil and Sarah Canning (Seward); brother and wife, Larry and Stephany Canning (Seward); brother, Greg Canning (Lincoln); mother-in-law, Jane Royer (Underwood); brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jeff and Terry Royer (Neola, Iowa), Dave and Nancy Preston/Royer (Portland, Oregon), Beth and Russ Wagner (Underwood), Tom and Chantil Kahler/Royer (Fairmont, Minnesota); numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Visitation will be from 1 – 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5 – 7 p.m. A memorial service will be Saturday, July 29, at 11 a.m. at Seward United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the North Omaha Good News Bears. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
