Mary E. (Burhoop) Brackhan Obituary

Phillips County Colorado

Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, Colorado, 11 Nov 1992 

Mary E. (Burhoop) Brackhan was born January 22, 1936 in York, Nebraska to Alfred and Edna (Leybold) Burhoop. She died November 4, 1992 at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke. 

Because Mary's mother had to have Mary by Cesarean and had some complications following Mary's birth, Mary's baptism was held at the family farm near Waco, Nebraska on March 1, 1936. She was confirmed in the Christian faith on June 5, 1949 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York. 

Mary attended country school in York County through the eighth grade. She attended high school in York and graduated from York High School in 1953. Following her graduation she went to work for the Lincoln Telephone Company in York. She also helped out on the family farm. 

On February 12, 1955 Mary married Donald E. Brackhan in Zion Lutheran Church in Hampton, Nebraska. To this union three children, Bradley, Kristie and Misty, were born. 

Following their marriage Don and Mary lived for a short time at Seward and York, Nebraska. They then moved to a farm north of Bradshaw, Nebraska. In 1968 they moved from Bradshaw to their farm south of Holyoke. 

In 1977 they moved into Holyoke where Mary resided until her death. Mary and Don had farmed throughout their marriage until 1977. In 1977 Mary and Don built and began the operation of DonMar's south of Holyoke. 

Don died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1978. Mary was left with the business, which following Don's death, she continued to operate until 1982. After leaving that business she worked as a USDA inspector until her health would no longer allow her to do the work. 

Mary was a member of the VFW and American Legion Auxiliary. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. After coming to Holyoke Mary and her family were members of Zion Lutheran Church where she remained a member until her death. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald and her parents. 

Survivors include her son Bradley and wife Sharon, daughter Kristie Pelle and husband Bill, and daughter Misty, all of Holyoke; three grandchildren; brother Arlen Burhoop and wife Virginia, sister Ardis Epke and husband Ralph, all of York; and a host of other relatives. 

Services were held at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke on Saturday, November 7, 1992 with Rev. Gary A. Rahe officiating. Burial followed in Holyoke Memorial Park. 

Mary E. (Burhoop) Brackhan