KAITLIN JO "Kacie" BREKHUS 1984-2003

BREKHUS, FREDRICK

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 1/3/2004 at 16:15:29

Kaitlin J. Brekhus

Telegraph Herald - Oct 25, 2003

Kaitlin Jo "Kacie" Brekhus, 19, of Irving, Texas, formerly of Dubuque, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, as the result of injuries sustained in a tragic traffic accident in Texas.

Services were held Oct. 10 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Dallas, with Pastor Ken Hovland officiating. Committal services followed at Restland Memorial Park, Dallas. Visitation was held Oct. 9 at Sparkman/Dickey Funeral Home, Dallas.

She was born on Sept. 13, 1984, in Dubuque, and was a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. She was the beloved daughter of Mel and Candi Brekhus, of Irving, and a delight to everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

When Kacie was 5 years old, she moved with her family from Iowa to Irving. She attended school at Las Colinas Elementary School from kindergarten through seventh grade, where she was a gifted student and a model citizen. She played basketball through the Carrollton Recreation Department and participated in school athletics including volleyball and track.

Kacie attended Barbara Bush Middle School as an eighth grader in its inaugural year, where she was recognized as a school leader and peer role model. She was selected as an ambassador for the dedication ceremony where the former First Lady, Barbara Bush, was the guest of honor. While a student at Bush Middle School, Kacie was involved in Student Council, was a cheerleader, participated in volleyball, basketball and track and played clarinet in the band. In preparation for high school, Kacie applied to and was accepted into the R. L. Turner Academy for Media Arts and Technology.

Kacie graduated with honors from R. L. Turner High School in June 2003, where she was active and involved and was respected by her peers, teachers and administrators. She played volleyball and basketball, was a member of Student Council, Peer Assistance and Leadership and was president of the Crime Stoppers organization. She was selected for membership in National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. Kacie was proud to be a coordinator, key participant and district liaison in the Shattered Dreams drug and alcohol awareness and prevention project. Through the Business Education Technology Internship Program, Kacie interned at the Dallas Market Center.

She was a volunteer in many philanthropic and charity endeavors in her school, church and community, including Rejoice Lutheran Church Youth Organization, Special Olympics Texas Torch Run, Metrocrest Holiday Helpers and the Irving Humane Society. The Dallas Morning News Talk of the Town Student Snapshot featured Kacie. Nordstrom Brass Plum Junior Clothing Department and the Kids Shoe Department employed Kacie. The Most Beautiful Senior Superlative she received recognized her physical beauty, but exemplified her inner beauty. She was a princess on both the Homecoming and Prom courts. Her peers elected Kacie Miss R. L. Turner High School.

In preparation for college, Kacie was admitted to and received university awarded merit academic achievement scholarships from Baylor, SMU, TCU, Texas A & M Mays Business School and Texas Tech Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration. She was admitted to the Red McCombs School of Business and chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she was beginning to excel and become actively involved. Her goal was to receive a degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and fashion. Kacie received a bid from and was a member of the 2003 pledge class of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.

Kacie loved her life, her family, her friends, her cats and everyone loved her. She brightened every room she entered with a smile and warmth that were indescribable. Kacie was the most compassionate person and understood people and relationships. She made everyone feel special, important and loved. Known for her elegance and flair for fashion, she was so full of life and her energy and enthusiasm were contagious.

Kacie will be remembered for being an exemplary role model to her peers and a valued citizen of her school, church and community. Her leadership, community service and volunteerism were exemplary. Kacie was, is, and always will be our special angel.

Surviving are her parents; her brother, Tom; her stepsister, Sonja, and nieces, Jerry and Michael, all of Nuevo, Calif.; her stepbrother, Dane, of Bozeman, Mont.; her grandmother, Tedi Fredrick, of Waverly, Iowa; her uncle, Tom Fredrick, and aunt, Kate, and cousins, Daniel, Hannah, Rayner, Mary Glen and Matthew, all of Overland Park, Kan.; her uncle, Mark Brekhus, and aunt, Lori, and cousins, Ashley and Joshua, all of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; her aunt, Mary, of Bigfork, Mont.; numerous great-aunts and uncles; and a multitude of friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Arnie Fredrick; grandmother, Fern Brekhus; and grandfather, Howard Brekhus.

Memorials may be given in honor and memory of Kacie to Rejoice Lutheran Church, 532 East Sandy Lake Road, Coppell, Texas 75019, to benefit philanthropic and charity organizations and scholarship and service programs that inspired Kacie.