Bradley Joseph Feeken, 48, passed away on December 30, 2023, leaving behind a devoted crowd of family, friends and basketball players. His no-nonsense personality, single-minded focus and tough love is the source of countless stories and memories, which keep his spirit alive.  

To Brad, coaching (and life) was simple: “Do right.” He pursued it with obsessive passion. 

Brad was born on July 15th, 1975, in Hastings, NE, to Dale and Jeanie  Feeken.  

His greatest childhood love was basketball. He attended Hastings High School, where he was part of a Class A semifinal team and broke the school record for career field goal percentage. 

His college of choice was Doane College in Crete, Neb., where he was a member of the men’s  basketball team until he tore his ACL. During those years, he met several lifelong friends, most notably Bill Heard, now Gretna High head boys basketball coach. 

Brad graduated from Doane College, earning a Master’s Degree in Education. At Gretna, he began his career teaching middle school reading and assisting the boys basketball program. In 2003, he became the head coach and remained in this role for the rest of his life. Brad was incredibly competitive but the games were not his favorite part of coaching. He most loved the relationships with the players. He wanted his players to leave his program as men with integrity, grit and purpose. He told each player,  “I love you”  and “My door is always open.” His impact on players was enormous, as was his phone contact list. 

Brad was a talented coach, but he was probably an even better teacher. His ability to connect with students and make them feel special during the difficult middle school years was remarkable. His energy and presence were unmatched. He would consume countless books during the summer to be prepared with a reading recommendation for every kid’s specific interest. He applied for and received many grants and built an impressive library in his classroom, and was very proud of this. Jolly Rancher candy was a favorite treat to give to his students, although he often referred to them as Happy Farmers.  

In 2004, Brad met Jenny Huddle, a first-year teacher at Gretna High School. The story that his friends love to tell is that he came to her classroom during teacher workdays before the  first day of school and bragged, “Hi, I’m Brad Feeken, head boys’ basketball coach.” Jenny was as calm, gentle, and quiet as Brad was nervous, high-strung, and loud. They were a perfect match and made each other better people. They were married in 2006 and were blessed with two daughters, Rylinn (13) and Maylee (11). In 2017, their family was completed by their son John.

Brad will be remembered and loved for his integrity, energy, and passion. He surrounded himself with only the best people. He didn’t have time for anything else. He cared nothing for material possessions and always said that a home is simply “a place to hang your hat.” He didn’t waste time on things that didn’t eternally matter. 

Besides his love of basketball, Brad also picked up a love of fishing in recent years, although not the bobber style. That would have meant sitting still, which he refused to do. Despite the time required of him to teach and coach, he always had energy for his family. His wife and children adored him. His kids especially cherished sharing in his love of basketball trading cards. 

His bravery during his two-year fight with neuroendocrine cancer was inspiring, as was the deepening of his relationship with Jesus through it all. A close friend and neighbor told him that Jesus pursues us (not the other way around) and is relentless, and Brad agreed 100 percent.

Brad will be incredibly missed by his wife and children, his mother, Jeanie Feeken, of Omaha, and his sister, Karen Feeken, of Greenville, SC. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Dale Feeken, also a beloved teacher and coach. 

For Feek Forever

For Feek Forever is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity created in memory of the late Brad Feeken.  Brad taught 7th grade reading for 25 years at Gretna Public Schools in Gretna, NE, and also was the Gretna High boys varsity head basketball coach for 21 years. His wife, Jenny, and three children, Rylinn, Maylee, and John, started For Feek Forever to keep Brad’s memory alive and help promote two things he deeply loved:  basketball and reading. His oldest daughter, Rylinn, is credited with coming up with the name for the non-profit. For Feek Forever will support a scholarship program for local basketball athletes and provide grants for school and classroom libraries.

Click on the link for more information.