Barbara June Urbom

Barbara "Bammy" June (Varra) Urbom, 90, of Fort Collins, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022 from complications resulting from Dementia. Bammy was born March 4, 1932 on her parents' farm that they owned on West Vine Drive in Fort Collins. Bammy adored her family and life on the farm. She attended #10 school on West Laporte Avenue. Highschool involved riding the trolly to go "downtown" and attend "the old" Fort Collins High School. She graduated in 1950. While in high school she met Richard "Dick" Urbom. After high school they attended CSU and married in 1952. From this union they had two children, Cheryl (Urbom) Romine and Michael Urbom. Bammy's family history runs deep in the Northern Colorado area. Barb and Dick always called Fort Collins home.

Bammy was very involved in her children and grandchildrens' activities. No project or activity was ever too big and she never said no. She was a Boy Scout leader for Mike and a Campfire Girls' leader for Cheri. A fond memory is a 4-H Craft show. This gave Bammy the opportunity to help Cheri knit a potholder and resulted in a first- place ribbon. As her children grew older she also made sure she helped and supported their baseball, football and cheer teams. Throughout the years- Bammy could be seen at every game, recital, and awards program for Mike, Cheri and all her grandchildren.

Bammy was always there for her family. She was there to listen, encourage and help- even if at 2 in the morning. She was a realist and there weren't any topics she wouldn't address head-on. While growing up many of Mike and Cheri's friends felt the same way and would come and seek her advice. They often called her their 2nd mom. She was a disciplinarian but always fair. After cutting an 8-track tape she thought was inappropriate she then turned around and replaced the cost of the tape. She also liked to dump the desk drawers onto the floor once a month so they could be cleaned and organized. Bammy was a teacher as well as mom. With her granddaughters, Ashley and Lexi she loved watching movies and playing hide and seek. Additionally, she loved to help them build forts out of cardboard boxes left behind at the Bammy's kitchen. Every year, without fail, she would call and sing Happy Birthday to each member of the family. Her final birthday song and solo was for Mike's birthday this past April. She loved the holidays and holiday baking and taught Britt, Savanna, Ashley and Lexi how to roll out the dough and use cookie cutters. Bammy also tried to teach Cheri how to make noodles from scratch but she discovered, perhaps those talents were better served elsewhere.

Bammys favorite hobbies for years were golf and skiing. She loved doing these with family and close friends. Eventually her hobbies included crocheting. Bammy crocheted an afghan for every member of the family. This has become a cherished heirloom for all.

Bammy didn't know a stranger. She smiled and said hello to everyone. Her personality was always fun and welcoming. She was the type of lady that would even stop and talk to little kids. She loved animals and couldn't miss an opportunity to talk to and pet a dog she met while out and about.
Family get-togethers were always organized by Bammy. She made sure everyone was included and there was always an abundance of food. All who attended these family functions were very happy to take home the left-overs and eat for days. Her specialties were homemade chicken & noodles, fried chicken with cream gravy and of course those decedent chocolate chip cookies.

Bammy's chocolate- chip cookies were legendary and in the early 90s- Mike suggested she start Bammy's Gourmet Cookie Company. Perhaps one was wondering where the name "Bammy" came from. When her oldest grandchild, Travis, was learning to talk he couldn't say Grammy and called her Bammy. The rest is history as they say. At first, the cookies were made in her kitchen and sold in small bags of 3. She drove to Cheyenne several times a week and sold them to truck stops. Often, she would bring along her young grandson Cody. Many times- even though busy working- she'd pull over and show him the baby horses and other animals she thought would make him smile and laugh. Bammy eventually rented a kitchen at the Farmer's Table Restaurant. At night, Cheri would join Bammy to make the over-sized cookies to sell to Round the Corner Restaurants. Mike joined the business in the mid-90s. As the company evolved the decision was made to sell cookie dough in pails. The now business- Bammys- sold product to Sam's Club and other grocery stores. As time went on, Bammy's Fundraising was born. The Bammy's company had the privilege of helping hundreds of athletic teams, schools, and church groups all over the state of Colorado. It was pure joy for Bammy to see the children fundraise and earn the money they needed.

Bammy had many family vacations with dear friends and family. There are so many cherished memories from those trips. Bammys trip to Italy in 2007 with Cheri, her sister Dottie and other family members was the highlight of her many vacations. When she stepped off the plane and on to the tarmac in Italy- she got down on her hands and knees and kissed the ground. She was finally in her family's homeland. Bammy's heart was content and happy.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Dick Urbom, her parents, Angelo and Stella Varra, and her sister Dorothy M. (Les) Hull. She is survived by her children Cheryl (Bob) Romine, Michael (Sandi) Urbom, grandchildren Travis, Brittany, Cody (Alexandra) Romine, Ashley and Alexis Urbom, great-granddaughter Savanna Romine, her AZ family, Jim, Kathy, Andrew and Kaitlyn Mottern and Peyton Peterson, niece Lee (Catherine) Varra-Nelson, her sister-in-law Nancy (Urbom) Miller, numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. Her father came from a large Italian family of ten children so there are numerous relatives.

A memorial service will be held October 28, 2022 at 4:00 pm. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Dementia is an evil, relentless monster so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation for Larimer County or Pathways Hospice. Bammy adored and loved the color purple. If you would care to wear purple to her service- know she'll be smiling!

Thank you, Mama. We won't be the same without you.