Mary Jo Ann Brueggen was born September 25, 1940, to Marven and Johanna (Ahlden) Henrichs in Okarche, OK. She entered her Heavenly Home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 19, 2025, in Oklahoma City, OK.
She has lived in the Okarche area her whole life except for a short time in Arizona. She grew up on the family farm doing the milking, driving tractors, taking care of the chickens, and whatever else needed to be done.
She married Bob Newer in 1958 and, to this union was born four children. She also worked as town clerk for the Town of Okarche, banks in Kingfisher, Okarche, and Yukon. Also, as a dispatcher for the crude oil trucks at Mustang Gas Products. After retirement she spent her time sewing, crocheting, and traveling. She liked to crochet afghans for raffles, drawings, as well as giving them away to family and friends.
She was active and involved in her Church helping with mid-week school, the daycare center, serving on the school board, as well as being a member of the Ladies Aid, Lamplighters, and LWML. Also, she helped deliver Meals on Wheels around the local community. She enjoyed going to school functions of her children and grandchildren. She was very proud of them all. She was a deeply religious woman; being raised in the Lutheran faith and knew her Lord and Savior. She knew her journey here was finished, and she would once again join Him in Paradise.
She is survived by her children Roberta Leatherwood and husband Mike of Loyal, OK, Kenneth Newer and wife Luquita of El Reno, OK, and Charlotte Helt and husband Tary of Kingfisher, OK. She is also survived by grandchildren Kenneth Russell, Racheal Hill and husband John, Emmaly Helt, Byron Helt and wife McCayla. Also, great-grandchildren Alexzander, Gabrielle, and Colton McFadden, Harper and Hattie Helt, and Jordyn Hill, sister Darlene Stover and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Marven and Johanna Henrichs, Daughter Rose Marie Newer, husbands Bob Newer and Ben Brueggen, Brother LeRoy Henrichs, Sister Marvella Henrichs, Granddaughter Rebecca McFadden, Niece Margaret Newer, and Nephew Mark Stover.
In lieu of flowers please donate to St. John’s Lutheran Church – Organ Fund, 408 Colorado, Okarche, OK 73762 or the First Baptist Church – Youth Group, 101 Stroh Ave, Okarche, OK 73762.
Funeral Service, Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 10:30 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 408 Colorado, Okarche, OK 73762 with burial to follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Okarche, under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.
