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Obituary for Barbara Ann Brattain
Barbara Ann (Risi) Brattain was born on March 24, 1922 in Oakland, California to parents Charles and Florence Risi. Barbara passed away on February 12, 2010 in Brookings, Oregon at the age of 87. Barbara was a devoted wife to her husband of 56 years, Ed; loving mother and grandmother to their son Dan (“one of her biggest joys”) and daughter in law Kathy, and their boys, Zach Brattain and fiancé Patricia Moen; and, Jake Brattain; step-daughter 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; step-daughter 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 was recently preceded in death by her close cousin Roy Risi of Fallon, Nevada. She is survived by numerous other relatives and many, many friends. Barbara was an accomplished pianist having learned under four professional teachers in the Bay Area. She started teaching music at an early age having 9 students at the age of 13. She graduated from Fremont, Ca. High School in 1940. She played piano professionally in 1950 and continued to teach piano while living in Fortuna for many years. She played her beloved “Hammond Organ” until her passing. She met the “love of her life” Edgar Brattain in 1953. They were married on October 5, 1953 in Carson City, Nevada in the Methodist Church. On October 5, of 2003, they traveled to Carson City and renewed their vows in the same church on their 50th wedding anniversary. Barbara was past President of the Redwood Empire Women’s Golf Association; United Methodist Women (Fortuna); Willow Creek Golf Club Ladies Association; and Soroptimist International (Willow Creek). She was also a very successful California realtor for over 15 years. Barbara spent many years golfing and she and Ed spent many winters in the Palm Springs 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 was the same location where her father taught her to drive back when it was just a pasture. 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. Memorial services for Barbara will be a held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the Smith River Methodist Church at 11:00 am with Pastor Steve Pudinski presiding. A reception will immediately follow at the Nautical Inn. Those wishing to honor Barbara can make a donation to the Barbara Brattain Memorial Fund, C/O The Wild Rivers Community Foundation, 501 H Street, Suite 5, Crescent City, CA 95531. The fund will be used to assist the under-privileged to achieve their goals and dreams. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.