Barbara Hoemann

Barbara F. Hoemann passed away on August 5, 2021 at Mill Vista Lodge at Wind Crest, Highlands Ranch, CO. Barb was born on February 10, 1942, in Independence, Iowa, the daughter of Rollie and Ruby Brammer. She graduated from Independence High School in 1960, received her B.S. in physical education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1964 and an M.A. in counseling from C.U. in 1985. She taught in suburban Chicago high  schools for three years before finishing a 32 year career in Jefferson County Schools in 2002. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Steven P. Hoemann, son Steven J. Hoemann, daughter-in law Michelle Hoemann, and grandsons Jackson (22) and Tanner (17), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Barb excelled as a teacher. She taught high school and junior high  but her real love was elementary school where her students learned skills that could benefit others beyond the classroom. She formed a Jump Rope club where boys and girls alike learned to skip rope and step between bamboo poles while moving to a musical beat. This led to their involvement in Jump Rope for Heart, where students found sponsors who would donate to the American Heart Association based on their performance.

For many of her students Barb’s annual Field Day was their favorite school memory because she made sure that every student was successful in at least one of the many activities she planned. If a student participated in an event, he or she would receive a ribbon, one that indicated that they had successfully finished that event. That was Barb’s goal--every student should have success.

Barb also loved music, taking years of piano lessons and then making a difficult choice between majoring in it or physical education. At UNI she combined them by joining Orchesis where she could move and dance to music, a love for both she passed to others throughout her life by starting a cheerleader dance team in Illinois, national award-winning Pom and Cheer squads at Chatfield High, a youth bell choir at Columbine United Church, and being an original member of the bell choir at Christ Lutheran in Highlands Ranch. She also accompanied school chorale performances for her Specials teammates.

Knowing Barb made our lives fuller, richer, more blessed. We will miss you my love, our Mom, our grandma. Thanks for sharing time with us.

In lieu of flowers, our family is requesting donations be made to Kids Heart Challenge (formerly Jump Rope for Heart) in Barb’s name. In order to donate, text the code BARBGIVES to 41444 in order to begin the donation process, thank you!