Zana Brockhaus Schrupp

On July 20, 2026, we lost our beloved mother, sister, cousin, Grammie, and friend, Zana Bernell (Brockhaus) Schrupp. Zana was born on June 15, 1943, to Floyd and Mary Brockhaus. She was raised in West Sacramento and was the oldest of four children, including Brian Brockhaus, Floydene “Deannie” Markham, and Teresa Rose.

Zana developed deep and meaningful relationships throughout her life with those to whom she was fiercely loyal, including her children and siblings, especially her two sisters; Deannie, her best friend and soulmate, and Teresa, her beloved baby sister. Zana shared a mutual, deep devotion and affection for all her siblings, but had an even more enduring and intimate relationship with Teresa who donated a kidney to Zana in 1986. Teresa’s gifted kidney undoubtedly extended and provided Zana with a healthy quality of life for 40 years! A piece of Zana's heart was lost when Deannie passed away in 2014 and now a piece of Teresa died with Zana. The sisters had an extraordinary and unbreakable bond.

In high school, Zana scampered with her cousins, cruising J Street on Saturday nights in her blue-and-white 1957 Chevrolet, while listening to Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, and Connie Francis, whose hairstyle she often tried to emulate.

Zana was charismatic and lit up every room with her beautiful smile and twinkling blue eyes. In 1966, that charm and beauty captured the heart of a young Air Force officer, Jim Schrupp, then stationed at Mather Air Force Base. They married and together raised four children: Renee, Brian, Heather, and Michael (Mikey).

Zana cherished her time as a military spouse, learning to play Mah-Jongg, frequenting the Officers’ Club, and becoming an expert at Jello-molding, cake decorating and fashion design (she sewed clothes for the kids). She bonded with other wives whose husbands were serving in Vietnam. Through frequent relocations and the uncertainties of military life, she built lasting friendships and created a stable, loving home for her family wherever they were stationed.

After 13 years of Air Force life, the family moved to Casper, Wyoming where Zana re-entered the workforce as a Records Clerk with the Casper Police Department. She modeled professionalism, a strong work ethic, and resilience, qualities her children continue to emulate today. Returning to Sacramento in 1984, Zana began working for the City of Sacramento’s Workers’ Compensation Division and steadily advanced through the ranks. Following 21 years of service she retired as the manager of the department. For a woman born in the 1940s with only a high school education, her accomplishments stand as a testament to her determination, resilience, and ambition.

Zana prioritized her children above all else. She made sure they experienced opportunities she never had (sometimes under their protest), like dance lessons, almost every sport (including bowling), art classes, Boy and Girl Scouts, and taking long trips through Utah pulling a horse trailer to 4H events. She was an immensely proud mother who bragged about each of her four children at every opportunity, being especially proud that they all obtained college and post-graduate degrees.

Returning to Sacramento also allowed Zana to reconnect with her extended family and, most importantly, spend more time with her sisters. She remained especially close to Teresa and the entire Rose family, sharing holidays, milestones, celebrations, and life's challenges together for more than four decades.

In retirement, Zana joined Deannie at Roseville Supreme Emblem Club #407. Once again, her leadership, dedication, and generosity shone brightly as she rose to serve as Emblem President. Through the organization, she formed lasting friendships and found deep fulfillment supporting local charities, promoting literacy, and helping provide college scholarships. It was through her work with Emblem that her family came to fully appreciate just how committed a philanthropist she truly was.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Teresa Rose, Scott Rose, Patty Leventon, and Loretta Bruce, whose countless hours of care, companionship, reading, storytelling, and comfort brought meaning and peace to Zana's final months

Zana was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Mary Brockhaus, her sister Deannie Markham, and many dear friends and relatives.

She is survived by her siblings Brian Brockhaus and Teresa Rose; her loving children Renee McMahon (sp. Mike), Brian Schrupp (sp. Christine), Heather Thompson (sp. John), and Michael “Mikey” Schrupp (sp. Velear); her extended family members including cherished nieces, nephews and cousins; her grandchildren Jamie, Maggie, Emily, Brock, Alyssa, Lindsey, Parker, Tyler, and Harper; and eight great-grandchildren with another due in September.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation https://pkdcure.org/give/  or another of Zana’s preferred charitable organizations, in keeping with her spirit of giving:

American Cancer Association https://www.cancer.org/donate/hope.html

American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/ 

American Lung Association https://www.lung.org/help-support 

American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/ 

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html