Services for Rich Bronken
Mon, 11/14/2022 - 8:56am
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Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. Dr. Seuss
It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.
What can we say about Rich?
Passionate about - Minnesota Vikings, Three Stooges, Bad Jokes, Golfing with good friends, Work outs, dogs and cats. Passionately against – Pickles and vegetables!
We are heartbroken having lost our “life of the party”, never met a stranger, loudest voice in the room, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and best of friends.
Born, July 31st, 1963 in Thief River Falls, MN, to Marvin and Joan (O’Connor) Bronken, Richard Francis Bronken, named after Uncle Dick O’Connor and Uncle Francis Bronken, who both died the year Rich was born. Rich was the sixth of the seven Bronken children and fifth red head in the family. He graduated from Oklee High School in 1981, where he excelled in basketball, football, tennis and anything that kept his active mind and body in motion. He found his calling in the surgical field and worked his way up from a surgical tech to a surgical assistant. He shared with pride his extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the operating room.
Early in his surgical career, while working at the Farmington Hospital, New Mexico, he met Theodora (Teddy) Jacquez. Their friendship grew and they married on May 13th, 1989. After the wedding, they landed in Bremerton, Washington where Teddy began her naval career.
Eventually, they moved to Colorado and became the proud parents of Derek and Sara, completing their family. Rich continued his career in surgery in the Pueblo, Colorado region and formed strong and meaningful friendships, which he highly valued.
When he wasn’t working or spending time with family, Rich had the great pleasure of coaching youth football and basketball. Years later, he loved running into his former players, who as young adults, still fondly referred to him as “Coach”.
The Colorado Bronkens made many trips “home” to Oklee for holiday visits. Rich loved spending time with his parents, siblings, brother & sister in laws, nieces and nephews. He treasured sharing these family moments with Derek and Sara.
Truly one of a kind, Rich brought laughter and joy to every room he entered. He had a big bright smile and hearty infectious laugh.
Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Joan Bronken, brother in laws, Karl Stadem, Sherman Knutson and sister in law Tracy Bronken.
He will be deeply missed by his family, Theodora (Teddy) Jacquez, son Derek, daughter Sara, granddaughters, Acacia and Rayne, siblings, Barb (Cliff) Melby, Beth (Neil) Carlson, Holly Bronken, Jim Bronken, Margaret (Bob) Olmstead, Pete (Leah) Bronken and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as his many good friends.
Our memorial for Rich will be held on Saturday, December 10th, 11:00am at MontgomerySteward.com, 1317 N Main Street, Pueblo,Co 81003. We plan to have celebration of life in his hometown of Oklee, MN, summer of 2023.
