KATHERINE FRITZLER BRUNKHARDT

Katherine Fritzler Brunkhardt passed away peacefully, at home, on her 92nd birthday, September 16, 2004. She was born on September 16, 1912, in Strassburg, German Volga District, Russia, the daughter of Edward Fritzler and Ann Rupple Fritzler. In February, 1913, she journeyed by boat, with her family, to Ellis Island, New York. The family then traveled by train to Russell, KS, where they engaged in farming. Over the next five years, they lived in Eaton, CO and Nisland, SD, finally settling permanently in Sterling, CO. Upon graduation from Sterling High School in 1931, Katherine worked for the F.W. Woolworth Co., both in sales and in the bookkeeping department. On April 4, 1937, she married Albert Brunkhardt in Sterling. Katherine and Albert moved to Denver, CO in 1938. She worked in sales at several department stores over the years, and then operated her own drapery business for 20 years. Katherine and Albert raised three sons, each of whom graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting from the University of Colorado, achievements of which both parents were so proud. Katherine developed many special friendships with her neighbors over her 27-years as a resident of Heather Gardens. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church. She was involved in many P.T.A. events when her sons attended Columbian Elementary School and Faith Lutheran Day School. She enjoyed many activities, including gardening, sewing, traveling, following her favorite baseball and football teams, surfing the Internet, and walking two miles a day, right up to the time of her death. Her husband, Albert, who died on December 1, 1994, a grandson, Darren M. Brunkhardt, her brother, Robert Fritzler, and four sisters, Amelia Schott, Mary Lebsack, Irene Eisenach, and Lydia Meisner, predeceased her. She is survived by her three sons, James L. Brunkhardt and his wife, Polly, of Mission Hills, KS; Eugene A. Brunkhardt and his wife, Norma, of Manhattan Beach, CA; and Donald D. Brunkhardt and his wife, Eileen, of Denver, CO. Six grandchildren, William J. Brunkhardt, Benjamin P. Brunkhardt, Dean M. Brunkhardt and his wife, Jill, Diana M. Brunkhardt, Lindsey K. Brunkhardt, Lacey A. Brunkhardt, and one great-grandchild, Bailee A. Brunkhardt, also survive her. A sister, Frieda Knaub, and four brothers, Ted Fritzler, Albert Fritzler, Edward Fritzler, and Leon Fritzler, all of Sterling CO, survive Katherine, as well. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 11:00 AM, at Fairmount Cemetery Ivy Chapel, 430 S. Quebec St., (E. Alameda Ave. at S. Quebec St.), Denver. Immediately following a graveside service at the Fairmount Cemetery, the family will host a reception/lunch at Heather Gardens Community Center, (approx. 1:00 PM) 2888 Heather Gardens Way (E. Yale Ave. at S. Abilene St.). In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The American Heart Association, 1280 S. Parker Rd., Denver, CO 80231.