Obituary of Barbara Jean Brekke

Barb was born on December 2, 1947, to John and Mary Dinnes of Eldora, Iowa. She was the oldest of four daughters.

 

Barb attended Union Whitten High School where she enjoyed playing basketball, softball, performing in the school play, and high school rodeo. In her junior year, she received second place in the state high school rodeo and was the high school rodeo queen. Barb graduated high school in 1966, and on June 4^th she married Jerald Roger Brekke. She and Jerry met during her junior year while she was working on a corn de-tasseling crew for him. Jerald and Barbra have three children: Tracy Brekke, Jerry Brekke, and Kendra (Brekke) Thomas. They also have seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

 

Barbara was a nurse for 48.5 years. She started her nursing career shortly after her boys were born. After she and Jerry moved the family to Colorado in 1978, she decided to go back to school for her RN at Front Range Community College and later she received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She loved nursing and worked in practically every department of the hospital, except for labor and delivery.

 

After retiring from her nursing career in late 2018, Barb started a metal work jewelry business. She loved spending her time in her studio perfecting the art of metal work and attending local farmers markets and craft shows selling her art. She had made some beautiful pieces of jewelry over the past three years.

 

Barb had an adventurous soul. She loved hiking, water skiing, snow skiing, dancing, camping, and traveling the world! In her many adventures, she hiked Longs Peak, a 14,000-foot mountain in Colorado. She also has traveled to numerous destinations around the world some including Ireland, Italy, Spain, Hawaii, Jamaica, The Mediterranean, and many places in the US. Her favorite trips were the ones she would take with her son Tracy to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico every winter. She loved it there and her time spent with him was so special!

 

Barb was also a very talented and creative person. She would knit herself beautiful sweaters and scarves. She also knitted several baby blankets for friends and family over the years. Playing her violin and cello were of her many talents. Barb was always found with a new project in hand or finishing up an old one.

 

Barb’s beautiful smile, bright eyes, energetic, caring, and loving personality will be missed tremendously. She was a great listener and truly cared for how people were doing.

 

An open house celebration for Barb will be held Sunday, June 26^th from 3-6pm at Berthoud Brewery/White Paper BBQ in Loveland, Colorado. Come visit and celebrate the life of Barb. Enjoy a drink and great food!

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