Reeta Ruth Brummer

Reeta Ruth Cockrell Brummer, 88, was the first of five children born to Claude Jennings Cockrell and Florence Olive Price at Buffalo, OK on December 3, 1923. She is survived by: her son, Gary Brummer, Tucson AZ; daughters Brenda Brummer, Dumfries VA, and LuWanda Ford and her husband, Leonard, and grandson, Charley, of Arvada CO; brothers Lloyd Cockrell (Betty), Turlock CA; Sherman Cockrell (Darlene), Prince George VA; Wilbur Cockrell (JoAnne), Clovis NM; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by: her brother Clifford Cockrell; her parents; and her husband of 62 years, Edwin John Brummer.
She died on February 2, 2012 in St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver CO, following a brief illness.
She attended grade school in Buffalo OK, and graduated from Melrose High School, Melrose NM in 1940 at the age of 16. She attended classes at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Education from Kansas State University, Manhattan, and Fort Hays State University, Hays KS.
Reeta had a teaching career that spanned 35 years, during which she taught grades ranging from First through Eighth in various public schools in Kansas, New Mexico and Texas. She also taught student teachers in Elementary Education at the University of Albuquerque. She retired from the New Mexico public school system, and she and Edwin moved to Littlefield TX, where she continued to teach First Grade until her second retirement. Reeta and Edwin lived in Clovis NM for several years until they moved to Denver CO in 2006.
She was a wife, mother, homemaker and teacher with many talents and skills. She held various offices in several educational organizations and lobbied during many sessions of the New Mexico State Legislature for more and better funding for education.
During her lifetime, she was active in several educational sororities and organizations and church groups, and she loved to square dance and travel. In her final years, she spent numerous hours listening to books from the Colorado Talking Book Library (CTBL). Her final gift was her donation of body tissues to Donor Alliance. She will be missed by many friends and loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to consider a memorial contribution to the Pocket Flag Project, P. O. Box 740847, Arvada CO 80006; Colorado Talking Book Library, 180 Sheridan Blvd., Denver CO 80226-8097 (www.friendsofctbl.org/form.htm); or a charity of your choice.
The family thanks to the caregivers and staffs at The Gardens at St. Elizabeth in Denver, The Oberon Assisted Living Home in Arvada, Covenant Village/Aspen Place in Westminster, and the doctors and nurses at St. Anthony Central Hospital in Lakewood.