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Barrett Colombo Obituary
St. Cloud
October 9, 1946 - March 23, 2012
Barrett Lorne Colombo died peacefully, surrounded by his family and close friends, on March 23, 2012 at his home in St. Cloud. He was 65. A service celebrating Barrett's life will be 10:00am on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell. Internment will be at the Rutherford Cemetery in Stillwater. Friends and relatives may call from 4:00-9:00pm on Wednesday, March 28 at St. Francis Xavier, and one hour prior to mass on Thursday. Parish Prayers will be at 6:30pm on Wednesday. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud.
Barrett was born to Robert (Barrett) and Norma (Johnson) Colombo on October 9, 1946. Barrett graduated from the College of St. Thomas with a degree in business management and received his law degree from the University of Minnesota. He was admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1975. Barrett served as a captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1968-1972. In 1968 Barrett married Cynthia Ann Brosious, his high school sweetheart. They would have four children and six grandchildren, all of whom survive him.
For over 30 years, Barrett practiced law specializing in business and estate planning at Rinke Noonan law firm in St. Cloud. Prior to joining Rinke Noonan, Barrett was a supervisor in the tax department of an international accounting firm. Barrett worked for many charities and committees during his lifetime. He is a member of the board of directors for the CentraCare Foundation and was past president of the St. Cloud Rotary Club. Barrett served on the board of directors of the Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation, the Cathedral High School Foundation, the St. Cloud Neighborhood and Historical Association, and the St. Cloud Rotary Foundation.
In addition to his wife of 43 years, Cindy, Barrett is survived by his four children, Laura (Paul) Tomczik of Sartell, Amy (David) Clements of St. Paul, Barrett (Aimee Witteman) Colombo of St. Paul, and John (Meizani Irmadhiany) Colombo of Jakarta, Indonesia. He is also survived by his sister, Sally (Dale) Roffers; brother, Mark (Phyllis) Colombo; and six grandchildren, Alexander, Franklin, and Maxwell Tomczik; and Sophia, Marcus, and Julia Clements.
Barrett loved the great outdoors and enjoyed all the things it provided: a walk in the woods, fishing, biking, and hunting. He adored his family and gave thanks for the many friends who meant so much to him.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Barrett L. Colombo Family Legacy Fund established by the Initiative Fund, 405 First St SE, Little Falls, MN 56345, dedicated to building thriving communities and a strong economy in central Minnesota.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barrett Colombo
Lou Hoeschen
March 19, 2021
We still miss you Barrett....
You were full of life and cared for your family and friends in many kind ways.
Always in our hearts
Lou and Don
Shannon (Suchy) Hendrickson
March 29, 2012
I am sorry to hear about Barrett's passing I many memories from childhood of him.
I still remember the day when your family moved into the house on McKinely Street.
I was lucky enough to spend a fair amount of time with your family. I was sad when opportunities moved you from St. Paul to St. Cloud. We tried to keep in touch but as time went on we lost touch.
Your family crossed my mind many times since. Then by chance Barrett and Cindy ended up in my line for a flu shot. I was so happy to see them swear I smiled for weeks afterwards. Please know that you are in my prayers during this time.
March 27, 2012
I new Barrett mainly from the YMCA and Golds, as he was in a group of racquetball players who played doubles on a regular basis. He was always a great sport on and off the court. It has been two years since he has been able to play. I will miss his positive outlook. I have been blessed to know him. Tim Mackey
Mike and Sue Prom
March 27, 2012
Barrett was truly a great leader and mentor. The one strength that sticks out in my mind was his ability to ask the right questions and then listen to my answer. He steered me away from my first business deal, that at the time I thought was the wrong decision and later found out his advice was right on. Later I used him on several deals and found his advice sound, accurate, deliberate – this always helped me sleep at night.
I was fortunate to know him outside of business as well. He loved nature, the cabin and coming up north. I always got a kick at how he could still ask the tough questions even about fishing. “It's been 15 minutes and no bites – where are we going next”.
Barrett's faith was strong. You could tell in the way he loved to help people, talked about his family, and the look on his face when he sang at church!
We will miss him!
Rebecca & Dan Kurowski & Family
March 26, 2012
Laura and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Our family is holding yours up in prayer - may you experience peace and healing in the times ahead.
Joanne Lano
March 26, 2012
Dear Cindy and Family,
It has been a long time since our connections in St. Cloud, but your family is remembered with fondness. Sincerely, Joanne
Lano
Bob Holmen
March 26, 2012
Cindy and family,
Words escape me, but memories are vivid ... a freshman law school party when Barrett showed up in those awful leather pants, escorting Barrett around town when he came to interview with Rinke-Noonan, the midnight dash across Pipestone Lake with a bleeding daughter ... I regret that we haven't stayed in touch over the years. I also regret that we can't be there since we're now in Chicago. Much water has splashed over the rocks in the stream. You're in our thoughts and prayers. Lynn sends regards also.
Jim & Barb Trewick
March 26, 2012
So sorry to hear of the passing of Barrett. One of our great memories of him is how he helped with the adoption of our daughter and the joy he shared with us. We will be miss him.
March 26, 2012
Colombo's: Sorry for your loss. He will be missed at many levels of St Cloud society. John and Carol Collier
Scott &Sandi (Adams) Maselter
March 26, 2012
I have known Barrett on a professional basis for over 30 years. He was a great attorney & a great man. He will be deeply missed. You have our deepest sympathy.
March 25, 2012
Dear Colombo Family,
Please know that you have been in the thoughts and prayers of many of us at the University of Minnesota. We are so sorry for your loss. It is our privilege to work with Barrett (son) at the Institute on the Environment and Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Beth Mercer-Taylor,
Institute on the Environment,
University of Minnesota
March 25, 2012
To Laura and the entire Colombo Family. We are very sorry for your loss of a wonderful Father and Grandfather. No words can sooth the hurt.
Barrett is very alive in memory. Many fun hours of racquetball with Barrett, Bob, Gerry, and Tom at SJU and Komo come to mind.
Wishing you and yours all our love and prayers at this difficult time.
Robb and Aimee Bates Family
March 25, 2012
Cindy and family-What a loss! He was really one of the good guys. We enjoyed working with him and seeing him. He will be truly missed! Ron and Grayce Berg
Kelly Haws
March 25, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. Barrett was a wonderful father. I have great memories of when I was Amy's cross country coach at Cathedral H.S. and he was videotaping, cheering and a constant support for his daughter. What a gift he was for everyone who knew him.
March 25, 2012
Dear Cindy & Family,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your wonderful husband and father. We always enjoyed Barrett's company so much.
So sorry that we can't attend the funeral. We will not be back from Arizona until April.
Our love,
John & Arlene Leisen
Doug & Ceal Reiter
March 25, 2012
To the whole family we are so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed Barrett's high note in life. He was a wonderful man who will be dearly missed by us. Reiters Body Shop Doug & Ceal Reiter
Julie (Schad) Schaefer
March 25, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Barrett several times when he worked on some business plans with my father. He was very professional but was really fun to talk with. I enjoyed his visits very much.
Don and Lou Hoeschen
March 25, 2012
Don and I have known Barrett since he was in high school, I am Cindy's cousin and yes Barrett and Cindy were highschool sweathearts. We have canoed, camped, fished with Barrett---he did love the outdoors. He was a tease and whoever wrote about the twinkle in his eye they were right on---our family gatherings were alwasy so much fun with Barrett present. Someone else will have to hide all of those Easter eggs this year!! We are saddened by his death ane send sincere symapthy to Cindy and his family. His family always came first---how lucky for them to have all of those memories.
Mary Lou and Don
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