Ellen Fabian Brokofsky

Born in Roswell, New Mexico, she was the daughter of Emil and Mary Fabian. Throughout her childhood, Ellen and her brothers Mike and Miles frequently moved to different bases throughout the United States and England as her father was a Major in the United States Air Force. Ellen participated in cheerleading throughout her high school career and made many friends, those who she still conversed with until her passing.

Ellen and Rick married in 1977, in which they would spend the next 45 years together raising two children and spoiling five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In the early years, Ellen enjoyed time by their pool at home, camping with friends, driving around town in her convertible, spending weekends with a group of friends who referred to themselves as the “Culture Club”, taking line dancing lessons, and starting her career as a probation officer in Sarpy County.

Ellen retired on December 21st, 2018, ending a 43-year career in probation with the last 13 years as the Chief Probation Administrator for the State of Nebraska. As a result of her leadership, the probation system moved into evidence-based practices, she took on juvenile justice reform and became a nationally recognized leader in the field of community corrections.

Later in life, there were many things Ellen was passionate about, for example, her grandchildren and spoiling them with treats and gifts, traveling the country on various road trips and cruises with her husband and other family, playing cards with family for hours on end, hosting many dinners and Husker parties, chatting about the history of her family and sharing pictures of fond memories, listening to soft jazz, watching movies in black and white, reading about the lives of celebrities, and spending her Friday evenings taking a chance on the slots and enjoying dinner at her favorite restaurant.

She is survived by, son Patrick (Danette) Davey, daughter Maryellen Stanton; grandchildren Sara (Steven Baio) Stanton, Megan Davey (John Wiese), Olivia Schnepel, and Peyton Schnepel; great-grandchildren Liam Batter and Wesley Baio; brothers, Mike (Debi) Fabian and Miles Fabian, nephews Eric (Carly) Fabian and Joseph Fabian, and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roderick L. Brokofsky, her parents Emil and Mary Fabian, and grandson, William Stanton.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.