The heavens gained a new angel when Louise Brower passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the Washington County Nursing Home at the age of 103 years and 320 days. Louise’s life while never long enough was full. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and always a friend. Born in Vernon, Colorado on April 9, 1919, the 5th of 7 children, she was raised in the close knit family of Eert Deterts and Geeske Stekker Deterts. Louise was baptized and confirmed at an early age at the Vernon Lutheran Church, she attended school at the Lutheran School through the eighth grade. Louise was remembered by her brothers and sisters as a fun loving, mischievous and a hard worker. As a young girl, she was run over by her brother George breaking her leg. They made up a story to tell their parents that was not very believable, but still the real story was never revealed to the parents. Life was difficult through the depression years. Louise learned the reward of hard work and taking pride in your accomplishments. During the dust bowl she spoke of tying a rope to each other and going from the house to the barn to do the chores. Louise enjoyed working for Dean Henry, Phil Shea and the Wray Café in Wray, Colorado while growing up.
Life got a little serious when a young man, Pat Brower, caught her eye at a dance in Abarr, Colorado. They were married on August 19, 1943 and began on a new journey. Louise and Pat welcomed home their daughters Linda born March 6, 1951 and Karen born February 28, 1953. Louise and Pat started a custom swathing and baling operation and continued the business until retirement. Those years were spent going to school events, church activities and providing a home that was full of love. Retirement meant something else to Louise. She began making quilts, pies, home cooked meals and keeping up the house and yard. We all have quilts, handmade crocheted tablecloths and many doilies which we all cherish. After Pat passed away in 1981, Louise or Grandma B as the grandchildren called her, attended as many sporting and other school events as possible for her family. She enjoyed taking trips with the family from the mountains of Colorado to sunburned feet in Hawaii to margaritas and dancing in Mexico and numerous other places. She was always ready for a new adventure. Louise continued to live in her home of 61 years until this past May when she entered the Washington County Nursing Home. Louise will always be remembered for her unbound energy, quiet personality, she was content with the simple things in life. We are reminded of her grace and love, we know that you do not want your passing to bring us sadness.
Louise is survived by her daughters Linda Kuntz and husband Tom of Otis and Karen Fadenrecht and husband Richard of Aurora, grandchildren Lori and Chris Packer of Otis, Amy and Glenn Kletzky of Aurora, Sandi and Dirk Pedersen of Limon, Kiley and Steve Sharp of Aurora, Kathi and Jaret Glanz and Guy and Callie Kuntz of Yuma and 10 great grandchildren Sawyer and Kensley Packer, Heather and Hannah Kletzky, Addison and Owen Pedersen, Layla and Liam Glanz and T.J. and Ellie Kuntz. Nieces Sandi Croiser, Sharon Carson and Jolene Brunswig.
She was preceded in death by her husband Pat, her parents Eert (Ed) and Geeske (Grace) Deterts, brothers Detert and wife Josie, Jake and wife Pat, George and wife Effie and Ed Deterts, sisters Anna and husband John Engel and Helen and husband Bob Brown, numerous other family and friends. Louise will be missed by all family and friends.
Funeral service was Monday, February 27, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado with Reverend Dennis FitzPatrick officiating. Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery. Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.
2023-03-16