Brigitte Hennig

Brigitte Hennig was born on September 21, 1934, to Joseph and Stefanie Petschner in Vinkovci, Croatia, who were ethnic Danube Germans. At the end of WWII in 1945, Brigitte and her family relocated first to Austria and then to Biedenkopf, West Germany, along with countless other displaced ethnic Germans. As teenagers, Brigitte met her future husband Horst, whose family were also war refugees from Karlsbad, Czechoslovakia. Brigitte and Horst dated for almost two years before she and her family immigrated in 1951 to Chicago, Illinois, having been sponsored by the American Aid Society of German Descendants. Brigitte was seventeen years old when she left her sweetheart behind for the U.S.

Brigitte, settled into her new life in the United States, along with her parents and her two sisters Erika and Inge - her family loved living in the Windy City. Brigitte’s first job was working at Stoeffer’s Restaurant in the kitchen, where she learned to prepare American-style salads and dishes while she improved her English. Brigitte took night school for four years, finishing her high school education and perfecting her English and accounting skills along the way. Her English grammar and spelling were flawless throughout her life!

Horst immediately applied to follow his sweetheart Brigitte to the United States; however, it took almost five years before his immigration papers were approved. Horst arrived in the U.S. on Valentine’s Day 1956, and they were married shortly thereafter.

Their family grew quickly, and they moved to Wauconda, Illinois, for their early family years. Rolf, Berndt, Monika, and Erik kept Brigitte occupied fulltime in diapers, cleaning, and constant busyness. Brigitte worked parttime jobs at the local restaurant and then later worked at a bank, doing teller work.

An avid hunter, Horst would take hunting trips to Colorado, and he fell in love with the mountains. Both Brigitte and Horst loved the mountains, as it reminded them of their mountainous homelands in Europe. They moved the family to Longmont, Colorado, and sank down deep roots here. Brigitte first worked at Longmont National Bank in the Trust department while Horst worked as a journey cabinetmaker making commercial store fixtures. She later worked as Financial Controller for a local German firm, followed by a position at the National Honey Board in accounting.

Meanwhile, Brigitte and Horst pursued their dream of owning their own woodworking company making custom-made cabinetry, fixtures, and furniture. Brigitte was the Financial Controller and accountant for their fledgling business. It thrived under Horst’s craftsmanship and Brigitte’s financial stewardship. They both retired in 1999 and enjoyed traveling back to Europe to see family and friends. Brigitte also maintained her network of friends through her Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

During her retirement years, Brigitte grew in her Christian faith and her love for God. She enjoyed reading her Bible and participating in her church’s weekly women’s Bible study. Having a curious mind, Brigitte especially enjoyed studying Biblical history and archeology.

Gifted artistically, Brigitte blossomed in her later years as a painter as she spent time developing her artistic skills; their home was adorned with her vibrant artwork.

Throughout her life, Brigitte enjoyed the domestic arts of sewing, knitting, cooking, embroidery, and gardening. She and Horst loved traversing the Rocky Mountains as they went camping, four-wheeling, fishing, mushroom hunting, or just driving the scenic mountain roads.

Brigitte’s sweet, cheerful, quiet temperament balanced beautifully with Horst’s exuberance. As God made them one, they were a beautiful model of devotion, love, and affection to one another. They welcomed their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren into their home, and each felt loved by their Oma and Opa. Brigitte’s Christian faith embraced and comforted her after Horst passed away, and she accepted with grace and fortitude the loss of her beloved husband of 67 years. The enduring richness of their love throughout the decades was quite remarkable and has left an indelible mark on those who knew them.

Brigitte is preceded in death by her husband Horst, her parents, and her sister Erika. She is survived by her sons Rolf Hennig (Mattie), Berndt Hennig (Cheryl), Monika Dunne (Tom), and Erik Hennig; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, October 11th at 10:00 am at Grace Church, 2415 Lake Park Drive, Longmont, CO 80503, with a luncheon afterwards.