PHILLIPS COUNTY

Colorado

 

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Last updated December 2018

 

 

 

Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, Colorado, January 6, 1994

 

Conrad George Brunken of Holyoke was born in Glenvil, Nebraska on October10, 1912 to George and Verna Hinrichs Brunken. He was the eighth of ten children. He died in Holyoke December 30, 1993.

 

In 1915 the family moved to Holyoke and farmed in Pleasant Valley; Venango, Nebraska; and for many years on the Clifford Webermeier farm east of Holyoke.

 

Conrad served on the U.S.S. Arizona from 1936-1940 and in later life attended several reunions of his Arizona shipmates.

 

He and Mary Amy White of Holyoke were married in Long Beach, California in 1939. One year later they moved back to Colorado and worked in Englewood before returning to Holyoke in 1945. Con built a home for his family and lived and worked there [he was the Conoco man] until 1952 when he returned to his love of farming at New Raymer.

 

Many nephews and cousins will remember their summers helping Uncle Coonie. New Raymer summers always included a trip to the mountains with family and friends for a special fishing trip. Conrad always enjoyed the many friendships made during the years on the farm.

 

After 20 years of wheat, cattle and horses, Conrad and Mary moved to Greeley where they operated a carpet cleaning business for their "retirement." In 1977 they sold the business and found a beautiful location near Hotchkiss where they built a home and lived for 10 busy and happy years raising apples, fishing and making more friends. In 1987 Conrad and Mary "made the circle" and returned to hometown Holyoke.

 

Con was a strong, hard working person who worked with his hands, was always the "fix-it" man and loved the outdoors from the Colorado prairies to the mountains. He was a devoted and loving husband and father and a lifelong friend of many. He always had a kind word, joke and many stories to tell.

 

As an infant Conrad was baptized into the Lutheran faith, confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst May 17, 1928 and was a life-long member of the Lutheran church.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers John and George; and sisters Tilla Nierman, Rika Thomas, Anna Nierman and Sophia Tomberlin.

 

Survivors include wife Mary of Holyoke; daughters and sons-in-law Bonnie and Glenn Johnson of North Platte, Nebraska, Julie and Dennis Dudley of Parkersburg, Iowa and Rita and Gene Kleve of Holyoke; nine grandchildren;

sisters Hilda Rodeman of Gresham, Oregon, Verna Abbott and Freda Roman of Denver; and many more relatives and friends.

 

Services were held Monday, January 3, 1994 at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke with Rev. Gary A. Rahe officiating. Burial followed in Holyoke Memorial Park.

 

Memorials may be given to The Lutheran Hour, Lions Club Fishing Pond in Holyoke or contributor's choice.

 

 

 

CONRAD GEORGE BRUNKEN