History & Staff

Diane Case-Lindsay has served on the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens Board since 2017 and currently serves as Board President. Her connection to Hawthorn Memorial Gardens is deeply personal, rooted in family tradition, remembrance, and a commitment to honoring loved ones and veterans.
A lifelong resident of Jefferson City, Diane has dedicated much of her professional career to serving others. She worked as a Legislative Assistant for 24 years and currently serves as Membership Coordinator for the Missouri Police Chiefs Association.

Diane’s involvement with Hawthorn Memorial Gardens began through attending cemetery events alongside her family. Her grandfather is buried at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens, and for many years she attended the Memorial Day and Luminary events with her grandmother and mother. After her grandmother passed, she continued the tradition with her mother. Today, her grandparents and parents all rest at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens, making the cemetery a place of deep personal significance. Following a promise made to her mother before her passing in 2018, Diane continued attending events and became actively involved with the board.

She especially values the genuine care shared among board members, staff, and the families they serve. Diane is particularly passionate about veterans services, inspired by her family’s long military legacy. Her father served in the United States Navy during World War II, and she is also the mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother of multiple veterans and active service members, including family members who served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.

Beyond Hawthorn Memorial Gardens, Diane remains active in the community and currently serves as Secretary for Cole R-V Alumni. She is also very involved with Hope City Church and treasures the opportunity to stay close to her grandchildren and support their activities and events.
In her free time, Diane enjoys crafting, painting, creating floral arrangements, and spending time with family, especially a young grandson whose medical journey has made their time together especially meaningful.

To Diane, Hawthorn Memorial Gardens is a beautiful and serene place where she can honor the loved ones who have gone before her. She hopes families visiting the cemetery experience its beauty, feel heard, and know the board is committed to caring for both the grounds and the families they serve.

Brenda Gieck has served on the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens Board since 2013 and brings a longstanding dedication to service, preservation, and honoring the lives and legacies represented throughout the cemetery.

A retired IT Supervisor, Brenda originally grew up in Mountain Home, Arkansas, but has called Jefferson City home for many years. Through her time on the board, she has enjoyed working alongside a group of individuals who genuinely care for one another and share a common commitment to serving families and preserving Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.

Brenda especially values the opportunity to honor veterans and help ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. She is particularly passionate about veterans services and maintaining the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the cemetery for visitors and families.

Outside of Hawthorn Memorial Gardens, Brenda remains actively involved in several organizations and volunteer efforts. She serves as a member and Sunday School teacher at Concord Baptist Church and is President and Secretary of the Preceptor Theta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She is also a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and serves on the board of Sallee Cemetery in Ozark County.
In her free time, Brenda enjoys genealogy research, Bible journaling, reading, and planning family reunions.

To Brenda, Hawthorn Memorial Gardens holds deep personal meaning. The staff, fellow board members, and volunteers have become like family to her over the years. She hopes families visiting the cemetery experience the beauty, peace, and care that make Hawthorn Memorial Gardens a special place of remembrance and reflection.

Angela Kay DeBroeck has served on the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens Board for the past three years, bringing with her a strong commitment to community service, veterans, and preserving the legacies of those remembered at the cemetery.

Originally moving to Jefferson City as a child, Angela has built deep roots within the community over the years. She began her career at Central Bank before transitioning into state service, eventually retiring from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in Environmental Public Health. Through her work, she collaborated with individuals dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting the health and well-being of Missourians. Jefferson City is also where she met her husband of more than 34 years and built the life she values today.

Angela was inspired to become involved with Hawthorn Memorial Gardens because of her love for veterans and the importance of honoring family legacies. With loved ones resting at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens, serving on the board became an opportunity to give back to both the cemetery and the community she calls home.

She especially values the teamwork among board members and the meaningful programs supported by the organization. Angela is particularly passionate about veterans services, cemetery beautification, community involvement, and preserving Hawthorn Memorial Gardens as a place of dignity and remembrance.

Outside of her board service, Angela is a Life Member of the Jefferson City Jaycees, a member of Jefferson City Elks Lodge 513, and serves as an Auxiliary member of American Legion Post 5.
In her free time, Angela enjoys counted cross stitch, crochet, reading, and watching true crime programs.
To Angela, Hawthorn Memorial Gardens represents an opportunity to help others and serve families during meaningful moments of remembrance. She hopes visitors experience a sense of peace when they visit and know their loved ones are cared for with honor and respect by a board dedicated to preserving their resting place.

Nate Dalbey has served on the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens Board for the past eight years and is dedicated to preserving the cemetery’s mission of honoring veterans and serving families with dignity and compassion.

Originally from Iowa, Nate moved to Jefferson City in 1993 while attending Lincoln University. Although he had not initially planned to remain in mid-Missouri, he quickly developed an appreciation for the people and community. Now residing in California, Missouri, he proudly considers Missouri home.
Professionally, Nate works as a Service Technician in the poultry industry and also serves in the United States Navy Reserve. He is currently assigned to Naval Construction Battalion 25, continuing his commitment to service both within and beyond the community.

Nate was inspired to become involved with Hawthorn Memorial Gardens because of the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated group of individuals who share a passion for honoring veterans through meaningful ceremonies and remembrance events. He especially values the commitment demonstrated by fellow board members and considers veterans services to be one of the defining strengths of Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.

Outside of board service, Nate enjoys spending time hunting, fishing, and golfing.
To Nate, Hawthorn Memorial Gardens is a place of reverence where every individual interred has a unique story and legacy. He hopes families experience compassion when visiting and continue to find comfort in the care and respect shown throughout the cemetery.

Dennis A. Brenneke has served on the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens Board for the past four years and is dedicated to preserving the cemetery as a place of honor, remembrance, and community connection.
A lifelong resident of Jefferson City, Dennis has deep roots in the local community. Throughout his career, he worked in road construction and soda delivery before retiring, but he has remained actively involved through volunteer efforts and civic organizations.

Dennis became involved with Hawthorn Memorial Gardens after being invited by Jeff Hilke to attend a board meeting. After learning more about the board’s mission and seeing the work being done to support families and veterans, he decided to join and contribute his own ideas and efforts.

He especially values the opportunity to help improve and maintain the cemetery as a beautiful and meaningful resting place for loved ones. Dennis is particularly passionate about honoring veterans and ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. One experience that had a lasting impact on him was participating in Wreaths Across America and placing wreaths at veterans’ gravesites. Seeing some graves left without wreaths inspired greater community involvement, helping ensure every veteran’s grave at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens is now honored during the holiday season.

Outside of Hawthorn Memorial Gardens, Dennis has remained active in the community for many years. He is a Life Member of the Jefferson City Jaycees, where he has been involved for more than 40 years, and is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Eagles, Elks, and Sons of the American Legion.
In his free time, Dennis enjoys relaxing, supporting local organizations, and helping where needed.

To Dennis, serving on the board provides an opportunity to stay connected to the community while continuing to honor veterans and seek new ways to improve Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. He hopes families visiting the cemetery feel confident knowing their loved ones are cared for with the same respect and dedication they would give themselves.

Christopher Allen DeBroeck has proudly served on the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens Board for the past three years. A lifelong resident of Jefferson City, Christopher was born and raised in the community and has remained actively involved throughout his life.

After retiring from the State Office of Administration, Christopher chose to become involved with Hawthorn Memorial Gardens because of his personal connection to the cemetery, where members of his family are laid to rest. His service on the board reflects his desire to give back and help preserve the cemetery for future generations.

Christopher is especially passionate about supporting veterans and ensuring Hawthorn Memorial Gardens remains a beautiful and welcoming place for families and the community. He particularly values the cemetery’s veterans events and opportunities to honor those who have served. He also enjoys lending a helping hand whenever needed and takes pride in helping maintain the gardens.
Outside of his board service, Christopher has been involved with numerous organizations throughout the years, including the Jaycees, Sons of the American Legion, Elks Lodge 513, and the Eagles. He was also active in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1980.

In his free time, Christopher enjoys golfing and spending time with family and friends.

To Christopher, Hawthorn Memorial Gardens is a place where loved ones are never forgotten and where veterans are remembered and honored. Looking ahead, he hopes to see the cemetery continue to be cared for and preserved as a peaceful place where families feel comfort and pride when visiting those they love.