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
If you have questions, contributions, or problems with this site, email:
Coordinator - Rebecca Maloney
State Coordinator: Rebecca Maloney
Asst. State Coordinators: Betty Baker
If you have questions or problems with this site, email the County Coordinator. Please do not ask for specfic research on your family. I am unable to do your personal research. I do not have access to additional records.
