Obituary of Joseph Brachtenbach

Longtime Kit Carson County resident Joe Brachtenbach passed away on March 15, 2012 at the Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington. He was 91 years old. Joe was born on March 9, 1921 on the family farm north of Stratton to Peter and Mary (Hemmrich) Brachtenbach. He was the youngest of four children. Joe attended country school, until his father passed away at age fourteen, at which time he went to work full time to help support his mother. At the age of fifteen, Joe joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked on many building projects. As he and his family later traveled through eastern Colorado, Joe would tell his family how he helped build those ditches, terraces or dams during his CC days. He would always say “it was built with picks, shovels and sweat”. Joe met Opal (Degering), and later they were married on January 26, 1942 in Stratton, Colorado. Their early married life was during the end of the Depression. Work was hard to find and farming was difficult at best. Joe and Opal lived several places north of Stratton, moving to town for a short time, before purchasing the “home” place. In 1992, they moved off the family farm to Burlington. Together they raised six children: Barbara, LeRoy, Gary, LaDonna, Janell and Shirley. Joe enjoyed his weekly trip to the sale barn in Burlington. Sometimes to trade livestock, but sometimes just to catch up on the weeks “happenings” (we call that gossip). Joe and his father-in-law Ben were some of the first farmers in the Stratton area to introduce irrigation. Over the years, Joe raise Shetland ponies, quarter horses and registered Angus, Charolais and Longhorn cattle. Joe broke horses when he was young and enjoyed riding. He stopped riding when the “youngsters” could better handle that task. He was always appreciative in later years when he could no longer do the riding and neighbors and the kids’ classmates would come to do those tough jobs. He was very proud of “his” herd of mother cows and was saddened when he could no longer go out and feed in the winter, and check them when they calved. Farming and ranching was a struggle through the late fifties and sixties, but later Joe and Opal continued to acquire land and run yearlings on rented pasture ground from Flagler to Anton. Joe and Opal taught their children a good work ethic and expected them to teach their own children the same. Joe would get his weekly update on his grandchildren via the weekly phone call from his children through Opal. Joe was not a tall man in stature, but he was happy when all his daughters married taller men. He would say he approved, because it was adding height to our family tree. In later years, after “the kids” were mostly raised, Joe and Opal would work hard all week so they could go “antiquing” on the weekends. Many collections were started, built and later sold to others. Joe was very well versed in bits and spurs and continued to buy, sell, trade and teach others until his failing health made that difficult. Joe was the primary caregiver for Opal after her stroke in January of 1998. His devotion was noteworthy until her death, at which time he went to live with Barbara and her husband Tom in Goodland, Kansas for four years. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Mary, his wife Opal, his siblings Margaret Weibel, Steven and Adolph, and each of their spouses. He is survived by his daughter Barbara Eisenbart and husband Tom of Goodland, Kansas and their children John Eisenbart, Debbie Stegman and husband Jim, and Sandra Walker and husband Brad; son LeRoy and wife Susie Brachtenbach of Stratton, and his sons Zane Brachtenbach and wife Janna, Eric Brachtenbach and wife Tammy; son Gary Brachtenbach and wife Cynthia of Stratton, and their children Clayton Brachtenbach and wife Sara, and Lindsey Waller and husband Jacob; daughter LaDonna Anderson of Leesburg, Florida and her children, Jim Anderson and wife Sharon, Bob Anderson and Crystal Anderson; daughter Janell Wood and husband Brian of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and their sons Michael Wood and wife Tara, and Matthew Wood; daughter Shirley Jarnagin and husband Kevin of Seibert and their sons, David Jarnagin and friend Heather, and Ryan Jarnagin and wife Jackie. Joe is also survived by 21 great grandchildren and one to arrive in May, 5 step great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and 1 step great great grandchild. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends.