Obituaries: Barbara Ann (Risi) Brattain (Mar. 24, 1922 - Feb. 12, 2010)

Brattain

She was born on March 24, 1922, in Oakland, Calif., to Charles and Florence Risi.

Barbara was a devoted wife to Ed, her husband of 56 years; loving mother and  grandmother to their son Dan  – one of her biggest joys, daughter-in-law Kathy and their boys Zach Brattain and fiance Patricia Moen, and Jake Brattain; stepdaughter Sandra Holden and husband Bob and their children Teyrl Andrews and husband Phil, Shane Holden and wife Anne and their children Alexis and Ian, Marel Gerke and husband Grant and their children Morgan and Cole, and Scott Holden; stepdaughter Pat Johnson and husband Gene and their boys Grant Johnson, Pete Johnson and partner Richard, and Mike Johnson and wife Petrece and their children Nicole and Hunter. She is also survived by numerous other relatives and many, many friends.

She was recently preceded in death by her close cousin Roy Risi of Fallon, Nev.

Barbara was an accomplished pianist, having studied under four professional teachers in the California Bay Area. She started teaching music at an early age; she had nine students when she was 13 years old. She graduated from Fremont High School, in California, in 1940. She played piano professionally in 1950, and continued to teach piano for many years while living in Fortuna. She played her beloved Hammond organ until her passing.

She met Edgar Brattain, the love of her life, in 1953.  They were married Oct. 5, 1953, in the Methodist Church in Carson City, Nev.   On Oct. 5, of 2003, they traveled to Carson City and renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary in the same church.

Barbara was past president of the Redwood Empire Women’s Golf Association, United Methodist Women  in Fortuna, Willow Creek Golf Club Ladies Association, and Soroptimist International  in Willow Creek. She was also a very successful California realtor for more than 15 years.

Barbara spent many years golfing and she and Ed spent many winters in the Palm Springs, Calif., area golfing daily.  She was an avid bridge player and loved her “Brookings Bridge Group.” She was a huge football fan and loved “her” Oakland Raiders, whose current stadium is located  on what was once pasture ground where her father taught her to drive.

Barbara always rooted for the underdog, whether it was for her favorite team or for the less fortunate trying to achieve what might seem an impossible goal.

The family wishes to thank her many friends, relatives and caregivers who helped her through her recent illness. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

A memorial service for Barbara and Ed was held Feb. 20, at the Smith River United Methodist Church.

Those wishing to honor Barbara may make a donation to the Ed and Barbara Brattain Memorial Fund, c/o The Wild Rivers Community Foundation, P.O. Box 266,   Crescent City, CA 95531.  The fund will be used to assist the underprivileged to achieve their goals and dreams.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.

Submitted by Redwood

Memorial Chapel

73185LK0227