When students return in the fall, the library will be missing one of its most prominent figures, library para Mrs. Jeanne Krajicek. The library staple is retiring after working in the district for 26 years, and that does not include her time as a student in the Gretna Public Schools district.
“I started as a volunteer at Gretna Elementary in 1995 and then continued working on the Read Team there part-time until 1999,” Mrs. Krajicek said. “The Gretna Middle School building (which is now the current high school) opened in the fall of that year and I took a position as a library assistant for a couple of years. I then moved back to the high school (which is now the current Gretna Middle School) where I completed my career as the high school library assistant in our current building.”
She graduated from GHS in the Bi-Centennial class of 1976 with 67 other students. That same year, she and her future husband, Joe Krajicek, were crowned homecoming king and queen. At that point, she did not know that she would be returning to GPS.
“I attended NCE School of Commerce in Omaha for a 3 month quarter and then went to work at Metro Tech Community College on the Fort Omaha campus in the Maintenance and Security department until I got married in 1978,” Mrs. Krajicek said. “I was then a stay at home mom until our youngest of 5 children was in kindergarten. I just knew if I was going to work outside of our home, why not work at school where our kids spent their days.”
She has impacted students and faculty ever since. One student who is very sad to see Mrs. Krajicek go is junior Colton Stock.
“As a library TA, I spent a lot of time with her,” Stock said. “She would always make me food like meatballs or cookies. I had a lot of fun messing around with her, even though she only thought it was funny half the time. She always said she was my school mom and I’m going to miss her a lot.

Not only was she meaningful for students but also for the staff she worked with every day. Librarian Mrs. Kari Buglrin, worked side by side with her for 12 years and is especially sad to see her go.
“We each know what the other needs without saying what we need,” Mrs. Bulgrin said. “Her friendship, her ability to help me calm down and her positiveness in life are all so important to me. She’ll bring me breakfast or coffee just sporadically and it’s always at the exact right time. And she’s always willing to say a prayer for anyone. She’s just so much more than my co-workers she’s my friend, she’s one of my best friends.”
However, all good things must come to an end. After an amazing 26 years, Mrs. Krajicek has decided to pass the torch and take more time to spend with her extensive family.
“I have never hated my job,” Mrs. Krajicek said. “But, at this point in my life, we are expecting our 24th grandchild in August and our oldest grandchild is going to be a junior this coming fall. There are so many activities my husband and I don’t want to miss out on! I want to be able to help our children with their kids, our moms and our church, whenever I’m needed.”
Overall, GHS is saying goodbye to one of its favorite staff members. Someone who has witnessed thousands grow up right before her eyes. All of whom were affected by her in some way.