Lester Curtis Brokke

Lester Curtis Brokke (Les) died peacefully on February 20, 2017. Les was born in Huron, South Dakota on September 17, 1939 to Irene and Melvin Brokke. During his childhood, the family moved several times and he graduated from high school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After a year studying engineering at South Dakota State, Les married Judy Rise on July 3, 1959. They moved to Denver where Les worked as a systems engineer for Colorado Bearing while attending college. He later went to work for Gates Rubber Company and moved to San Francisco where he graduated from college in mechanical engineering. After several years, Judy and Les moved back to Denver where Les became a partner in Colorado Bearing. When Colorado Bearing was sold, Les worked for TB Woods as regional manager for the western part of the United States. While in the San Francisco Bay area, Les and his family enjoyed many happy hours fishing from his boat in the bay. When Les retired, he and Judy moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where he was active in his church and volunteered to work with people who needed transportation or a friend to talk to. Judy died in 2005. In 2008, Les married Sarah Lain and they moved back to Colorado. Survivors include his wife, Sarah Brokke; his sisters, Fran Roelle (Don) and Karen Callies (Bill); his sisters-in-law, Patti Johnson (Bill), Trudi McCall (Arthur Sensenig), Marty McTurnan (Jim), Diana Gilman (Phil); his children, Leslie Blackerby (Rob) and Christopher Brokke (Micelle);and his step-children, Ken Lain (Lisa), Mike Lain (Carol), and Sonja Martinez (Jose). Les is also survived by his grandchildren, Christian and Saige Brokke; step-grandchildren, Katelyn Cespedes (Jeremy), James Lain (Teresa), Meghan and MacKenzie Lain, Justin, Jacob and Maria Martinez; and two step-great-grandchildren. Les was a kind and thoughtful man, always positive with a wonderful, dry sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the American Lung Association, 102 West McDowell Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85003. A celebration of Les' life will be held Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 8545 East Dry Creek Road, Centennial, CO 80112. Please share your memories of Les and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.