Brenda Joy Riepe

Brenda Joy Riepe, age 83, of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.   She was born on October 9, 1940 in Gardena, CA to Gerald Paul Collins and Doris Ledene (Stevenson) Collins. Brenda was their third child out of seven. 

At the age of 2, Brenda and her family moved from California to Nebraska. Brenda attended Beaver City High School and graduated in 1957. In 1958, she married Burl Wurm and had 2 daughters- Kelly Sue Keinz and Rhonda Rossiter. Brenda and Burl divorced in 1966. Brenda remarried Wayne Edward Riepe in 1967, and the two of them were married for 42 years before his passing in 2010.

In 1981, Brenda and Wayne became grandparents to Renee Joy Collins (Benavidez). They raised her as their daughter. In 1998, granddaughters Shari Ledene Keinz and Dani Jean Keinz came to live with them and in 2004, Brenda and Wayne adopted all three girls, legally making them their daughters.

During her life, Brenda lived in Nebraska, Colorado, California and New Mexico. She had many creative talents ranging from floral arranging at her two flower shops in Colorado, to crafting projects like eggs, cards, photo albums and many other things.

Brenda is survived by her daughters- Renee Joy Collins Benavidez (Jeremy), Shari Ledene Keinz (Glen) Dani Jean Keinz (Tony), Kelly Sue Keinz, and Rhonda Rossiter; grandchildren: Alicia Bonilla (Jason), Tiffany Baker, Angelina Selb (Brien), Brandon Collins, Z McChesney, Arwyn McChesney, Flynn McChesney, Ellie Williams, Aria Williams and Jackson Williams; siblings: Tom Collins (Jo Ann), Jack Collins, Jill Hier and Charlie Collins (Nancy); Brother in law, James Riepe (Karin) and sisters in law, Dorothy Huxoll (Snooks) and Della Mae Von Loh; as well as numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Brenda was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Riepe; parents, Gerald and Doris Ledene Collins; in laws, Harry and Ella Riepe; grandson, Shaun Watts; siblings- Baby Doyle Collins and Bob Collins (Margaret); sisters in law, Colleen Yeager and Edith Ann Heinz (Frank); brothers in law: Skeet Hier, Delbert “Butch” Riepe, LeRoy Von Loh, Norman Huxoll; as well as numerous other family members and friends.