William Gordon Brattebo (1926-2019)

BRATTEBO, HOVLAND, JOHNSON, BALL, WHITE

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

Obituary from Montrose Press, Montrose, Colorado.

William Gordon Brattebo
1926-2019

William “Bill” Brattebo of Montrose passed away June 4, 2019. He was born to Gerhard and Jeanette (Hovland) Brattebo May 22, 1926 in Story City, Iowa. In kindergarten he met Iva Jean Johnson, who would later become his wife and the love of his life. She still has a valentine he gave her in the 4th grade. After graduation from Story City High School, where he excelled in both academics and athletics, Bill joined the Army and served in Germany in Patton’s 10th Armored Division. He and Iva were married August 8, 1946 and would have celebrated their 73rd anniversary this year.

Bill started his career in sales with General Mills and subsequently joined the Cryovac Division of W.R. Grace, where he remained until his retirement. He soon moved into management and over the next 30 years mentored many people, helping them achieve their goals and advance their careers. His work took him and Iva all over the country and they lived in Iowa, Illinois, California, Colorado, Texas, and South Carolina. Retirement brought a return to their beloved Colorado, first to Evergreen and 15 years ago to Montrose to be near family.

Bill was passionate about God and country and family and friends. He loved his work and was a huge sports fan, especially of the Broncos, Rockies and Nuggets. He could happily spend an entire weekend flicking channels watching multiple sporting events and even in his last few days he always wore either his Montrose Indians or Denver Broncos ball cap. He loved golf and played well into his eighties, (that would be his age, not his score). On the wall of his home office are mementoes of his love for the game including his hole-in-one at Bayhill Golf Club in Florida and dinner with Arnold Palmer.

He loved writing and reading. A newspaper junkie, he read several each day including the Montrose Press, Grand Junction Sentinel, Denver Post and Wall Street Journal. Throughout his 30+ year retirement, he sent a monthly newsletter to several dozen friends and family members. The Brattebo Bulletin was eagerly anticipated by its recipients and included jokes and fun facts as well as his own opinions, observations and memories. Daughter Cathy will write the final issue, which will no doubt have a few tear stains splotched across the pages.

Bill was predeceased by his son Paul Brattebo and granddaughter Addison Ball. He is survived by his wife, Iva, and daughter, Cathy (Brian) White of Montrose, grandson Parker Brattebo of Bend, Oregon and great-grandson Gavin Ball of Portland, Oregon. The family would like to thank the kind and helpful folks at Hartman’s, the excellent, caring staff at Brookdale Sunrise Creek and the wonderful people of HopeWest for taking such great care of Bill at the end of his life. He touched the lives of many and will be sorely missed. Contributions in his memory may be made to HopeWest, 725 S. 4th St. Montrose, CO 81401.