Sophomore Class Photo - 2001 || Senior Photo

Kacie Brekhus
Kaitlin Jo Brekhus
Sept 13, 1984 - Oct 3, 2003

Kacie Brekhus attended Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District

 (C-FB ISD) kindergarten through her senior year, attending Las Colinas

 Elementary, Barbara Bush Middle School in its inaugural year, and graduating from R. L. Turner High School in 2003.

Among many other things, Kacie was involved with the R. L. Turner High School Torch Run throughout high school. She was a member of the 2000, 2001, 2002 Torch Run Committee and Staff.  Kacie was the Torch Run Coordinator her senior year in 2003.

After Kacie’s death in a tragic traffic accident in October 2003 while she was a freshman at The University of Texas at Austin in the Red McCombs School of Business, R. L. Turner High School decided to rename the Torch Run in honor of Kacie Brekhus.  That year, the proceeds benefited C-FB ISD special education students and teachers with the funds utilized for Special Olympics teams and teacher grants.

The Brekhus Family is honored that the run has been named “R. L. Turner Kacie

 Brekhus
 Memorial Torch Run.”  The family believes the run honors Kacie’s memory and is the “title and presenting sponsor” of the run. 

Her family has written:
“We think Kacie would be proud.  Kacie would recall how worthwhile the long, hard hours she contributed were.  She would remember with a smile those early, early Saturday mornings when she and her friends would attend other 5K Races to hand out advertising flyers for the R. L. Turner Torch Run.  She would cherish her family, friends and colleagues who strive to carry out the tradition of supporting the Torch Run.  She would be honored to have her name associated with such a worthy cause.  She would want us to continue to contribute fully to the R. L. Turner Kacie Brekhus Memorial Torch Run.  She would have continued to be involved with this worthwhile endeavor herself no matter where her life would have taken her.  She had vowed to continue to support this cause for the rest of her life…and she did wholeheartedly and unselfishly.”

Kacie received many compliments and accolades during her life for her dedication and commitment to R. L. Turner High School, its mission and projects.  As a tribute following her death, Principal Kim Holland stated that she was a “born leader with the heart of a servant” and that “her inner beauty outshined even her outer beauty.” 

Kacie herself would credit C-FB ISD for instilling within her those qualities we all so admire, respect and strive to attain.
 

Kacie Brekhus attended the Special Olympics Torch Run that is now in her honor

OBITUARY

From The Charter Oak-Ute (Iowa) Newspaper
Nov. 20, 2003

Word was received that the great-granddaughter of Max and Clara Nellor (former publishers of the Charter Oak Times) passed away from injuries in a car accident.

Kacie Brekhus was born September 13, 1984 in Dubuque, Iowa and died October 3, 2003 as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic traffic accident. Kacie was 19 years old and a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. She was the beloved daughter of Mel and Candi Brekhus of Irving, Texas and a delight to everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

When Kacie was 5 years old, she moved with her family from Iowa to Irving, Texas. She attended school at Las Colinas Elementary School from kindergarten through seventh grade where she was a gifted student and a model citizen. She played basketball through the Carrollton Recreation Department and participated in school athletics including volleyball and track.

Kacie attended Barbara Bush Middle School as an eighth grader in its inaugural year where she was recognized as a school leader and peer role model. She was selected as an ambassador for the dedication ceremony where the former First Lady, Barbara Bush, was the guest of honor. While a student at Bush Middle School, Kacie was involved in Student Council, was a cheerleader, participated in volleyball, basketball and track and played clarinet in the band. In preparation for high school, Kacie applied to and was accepted into the R.L. Turner Academy for Media Arts and Technology.

Kacie graduated with honors from R. L. Turner High School in June 2003 where she was active and involved and was respected by her peers, teachers and administrators. She played volleyball and basketball, was a member of Student Council, Peer Assistance and Leadership, and was President of the Crime Stoppers organization. She was selected for membership in National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. Kacie was proud to be a coordinator, key participant, and district liaison in the Shattered Dreams drug and alcohol awareness and prevention project. Through the Business Education Technology Internship Program, Kacie interned at the Dallas Market Center. She was a volunteer in many philanthropic and charity endeavors in her school, church and community including Rejoice Lutheran Church Youth Organization, Special Olympics Texas Torch Run, Metrocrest Holiday Helpers and the Irving Humane Society. The Dallas Morning News Talk of the Town Student Snapshot featured Kac!
ie. Nordstrom Brass Plum Junior Clothing Department and the Kids Shoe Department employed Kacie. The Most Beautiful Senior Superlative she received recognized her physical beauty, but exemplified her inner beauty. She was a princess on both the Homecoming and Prom courts. Her peers elected Kacie Miss R. L. Turner High School.

In preparation for college, Kacie was admitted to and received university awarded merit academic achievement scholarships from Baylor, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M Mays Business School, and Texas Tech Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration. She was admitted to the Red McCombs School of Business and chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin where she was beginning to excel and become actively involved. Her goal was to receive a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Fashion. Kacie received a bid from and was a member of the 2003 pledge class of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.

In addition to her parents, her brother Tom, her stepsister Sonja and nieces Jerry and Michael of Nuevo, California, her stepbrother Dane of Bozeman, Montana, her grandmother, Tedi (Nellor) Fredrick of Waverly, Iowa, her uncle Tom Fredrick and aunt Kate and cousins Daniel, Hannah, Rayner, Mary Glen and Matthew of Overland Park, Kansas, her uncle Mark Brekhus and aunt Lori and cousins Ashley and Joshua of Manhattan Beach, California, her aunt Mary of Bigfork, Montana, numerous great-aunts and uncles, and a multitude of friends survive Kacie. Her grandfather, Arnie Fredrick, grandmother Fern Brekhus, and grandfather Howard Brekhus preceded her in death.

Kacie loved her life, her family, her friends, her cats and everyone loved her. She brightened every room she entered with a smile and warmth that were indescribable. Kacie was the most compassionate person and understood people and relationships. She made everyone feel special, important and loved. Known for her elegance and flair for fashion, she was so full of life and her energy and enthusiasm were contagious. Kacie will be remembered for being an exemplary role model to her peers and a valued citizen of her school, church and community. Her leadership, community service, and volunteerism were exemplary. Kacie was, is, and always will be our special angel.

OBITUARY

Kaitlin J. Brekhus
Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Saturday, October 25, 2003
Kaitlin Jo "Kacie" Brekhus, 19, of Irving, Texas, formerly of Dubuque, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, as the result of injuries sustained in a tragic traffic accident in Texas.

Services were held Oct. 10 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Dallas, with Pastor Ken Hovland officiating. Committal services followed at Restland Memorial Park, Dallas. Visitation was held Oct. 9 at Sparkman/Dickey Funeral Home, Dallas.

She was born on Sept. 13, 1984, in Dubuque, and was a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. She was the beloved daughter of Mel and Candi Brekhus, of Irving, and a delight to everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

When Kacie was 5 years old, she moved with her family from Iowa to Irving. She attended school at Las Colinas Elementary School from kindergarten through seventh grade, where she was a gifted student and a model citizen. She played basketball through the Carrollton Recreation Department and participated in school athletics including volleyball and track.

Kacie attended Barbara Bush Middle School as an eighth grader in its inaugural year, where she was recognized as a school leader and peer role model. She was selected as an ambassador for the dedication ceremony where the former First Lady, Barbara Bush, was the guest of honor. While a student at Bush Middle School, Kacie was involved in Student Council, was a cheerleader, participated in volleyball, basketball and track and played clarinet in the band. In preparation for high school, Kacie applied to and was accepted into the R. L. Turner Academy for Media Arts and Technology.

Kacie graduated with honors from R. L. Turner High School in June 2003, where she was active and involved and was respected by her peers, teachers and administrators. She played volleyball and basketball, was a member of Student Council, Peer Assistance and Leadership and was president of the Crime Stoppers organization. She was selected for membership in National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. Kacie was proud to be a coordinator, key participant and district liaison in the Shattered Dreams drug and alcohol awareness and prevention project. Through the Business Education Technology Internship Program, Kacie interned at the Dallas Market Center.

She was a volunteer in many philanthropic and charity endeavors in her school, church and community, including Rejoice Lutheran Church Youth Organization, Special Olympics Texas Torch Run, Metrocrest Holiday Helpers and the Irving Humane Society. The Dallas Morning News Talk of the Town Student Snapshot featured Kacie. Nordstrom Brass Plum Junior Clothing Department and the Kids Shoe Department employed Kacie. The Most Beautiful Senior Superlative she received recognized her physical beauty, but exemplified her inner beauty. She was a princess on both the Homecoming and Prom courts. Her peers elected Kacie Miss R. L. Turner High School.

In preparation for college, Kacie was admitted to and received university awarded merit academic achievement scholarships from Baylor, SMU, TCU, Texas A & M Mays Business School and Texas Tech Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration. She was admitted to the Red McCombs School of Business and chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she was beginning to excel and become actively involved. Her goal was to receive a degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and fashion. Kacie received a bid from and was a member of the 2003 pledge class of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.

Kacie loved her life, her family, her friends, her cats and everyone loved her. She brightened every room she entered with a smile and warmth that were indescribable. Kacie was the most compassionate person and understood people and relationships. She made everyone feel special, important and loved. Known for her elegance and flair for fashion, she was so full of life and her energy and enthusiasm were contagious.

Kacie will be remembered for being an exemplary role model to her peers and a valued citizen of her school, church and community. Her leadership, community service and volunteerism were exemplary. Kacie was, is, and always will be our special angel.

Surviving are her parents; her brother, Tom; her stepsister, Sonja, and nieces, Jerry and Michael, all of Nuevo, Calif.; her stepbrother, Dane, of Bozeman, Mont.; her grandmother, Tedi Fredrick, of Waverly, Iowa; her uncle, Tom Fredrick, and aunt, Kate, and cousins, Daniel, Hannah, Rayner, Mary Glen and Matthew, all of Overland Park, Kan.; her uncle, Mark Brekhus, and aunt, Lori, and cousins, Ashley and Joshua, all of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; her aunt, Mary, of Bigfork, Mont.; numerous great-aunts and uncles; and a multitude of friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Arnie Fredrick; grandmother, Fern Brekhus; and grandfather, Howard Brekhus.

Memorials may be given in honor and memory of Kacie to Rejoice Lutheran Church, 532 East Sandy Lake Road, Coppell, Texas 75019, to benefit philanthropic and charity organizations and scholarship and service programs that inspired Kacie.

Messages to the family may be directed to www.welovekacie.com. You may visit MeM web site at www.mem.com to view a biography of Kacie's life
 

OBITUARY

KAITLIN (KACIE) JO BREKHUS
September 13, 1984 October 3, 2003 Kacie was born September 13, 1984 in Dubuque, Iowa and died October 3, 2003 as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic traffic accident. Kacie was 19 years old and a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. She was the beloved daughter of Mel and Candi Brekhus of Irving, Texas and a delight to everyone fortunate enough to have known her. When Kacie was 5 years old, she moved with her family from Iowa to Irving, Texas. She attended school at Las Colinas Elementary School from kindergarten through seventh grade where she was a gifted student and a model citizen. She played basketball through the Carrollton Recreation Department and participated in school athletics including volleyball and track. Kacie attended Barbara Bush Middle School as an eighth grader in its inaugural year where she was recognized as a school leader and peer role model. She was selected as an ambassador for the dedication ceremony where the former First Lady, Barbara Bush, was the guest of honor. While a student at Bush Middle School, Kacie was involved in Student Council, was a cheerleader, participated in volleyball, basketball and track and played clarinet in the band. In preparation for high school, Kacie applied to and was accepted into the R. L. Turner Academy for Media Arts and Technology. Kacie graduated with honors from R. L. Turner High School in June 2003 where she was active and involved and was respected by her peers, teachers and administrators. She played volleyball and basketball, was a member of Student Council, Peer Assistance and Leadership, and was President of the Crime Stoppers organization. She was selected for membership in National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. Kacie was proud to be a coordinator, key participant, and district liaison in the Shattered Dreams drug and alcohol awareness and prevention project. Through the Business Education Technology Internship Program, Kacie interned at the Dallas Market Center. She was a volunteer in many philanthropic and charity endeavors in her school, church and community including Rejoice Lutheran Church Youth Organization, Special Olympics Texas Torch Run, Metrocrest Holiday Helpers and the Irving Humane Society. The Dallas Morning News Talk of the Town Student Snapshot featured Kacie. Nordstrom Brass Plum Junior Clothing Department and the Kids Shoe Department employed Kacie. The Most Beautiful Senior Superlative she received recognized her physical beauty, but exemplified her inner beauty. She was a princess on both the Homecoming and Prom courts. Her peers elected Kacie Miss R. L. Turner High School. In preparation for college, Kacie was admitted to and received university awarded merit academic achievement scholarships from Baylor, SMU, TCU, Texas A & M Mays Business School, and Texas Tech Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration. She was admitted to the Red McCombs School of Business and chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin where she was beginning to excel and become actively involved. Her goal was to receive a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Fashion. Kacie received a bid from and was a member of the 2003 pledge class of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. In addition to her parents, her brother Tom, her stepsister Sonja and nieces Jerry and Michael of Nuevo, California, her stepbrother Dane of Bozeman, Montana, her grandmother, Tedi Fredrick of Waverly, Iowa, her uncle Tom Fredrick and aunt Kate and cousins Daniel, Hannah, Rayner, Mary Glen, and Matthew of Overland Park, Kansas, her uncle Mark Brekhus and aunt Lori and cousins Ashley and Joshua of Manhattan Beach, California, her aunt Mary of Bigfork, Montana, numerous great-aunts and uncles, and a multitude of friends survive Kacie. Her grand- father, Arnie Fredrick, grandmother Fern Brekhus, and grandfather Howard Brekhus preceded her in death. Kacie loved her life, her family, her friends, her cats and everyone loved her. She brightened every room she entered with a smile and warmth that were indescribable. Kacie was the most compassionate person and understood people and relationships. She made everyone feel special, important and loved. Known for her elegance and flair for fashion, she was so full of life and her energy and enthusiasm were contagious. Kacie will be remembered for being an exemplary role model to her peers and a valued citizen of her school, church and community. Her leadership, community service, and volunteerism were exemplary. Kacie was, is, and always will be our special angel. Sparkman/Dickey Funeral Home, 17501 Dallas Parkway, 972-407-6070, is in charge of arrangements where visitation will be held Thursday, October 9 from 5:00-9:00. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 10 at 1:00 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 LBJ Fwy. with Pastor Ken Hovland officiating. Committal services will follow in Restland Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue. Memorials may be given in honor and memory of Kacie to Rejoice Lutheran Church, 532 East Sandy Lake Road, Coppell, Texas 75019 to benefit philanthropic and charity organizations and scholarship and service programs that inspired Kacie. Dignity Memorial Sparkman Dickey Dallas N. Tollway at Trinity Mills (972) 407-6070

The Dallas Morning News - October 9, 2003