Kristine passed away August 4th, at her home surrounded by family. Kris was born Kristine Marie Jorgensen July 5th, 1948, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the second child of Gene and Zonna Jorgensen. Prior to her father’s death in 1957, the family called several places home while he served in the Navy.
Her mother remarried Carl (Buck) Hess and Kris became Kristine Marie Hess.
In the Fall of 1963 her family moved to Susanville, California, where Kris attended and graduated from Lassen High School where she was involved in several extra curricular events including Home Economics, FFA, and the Lassen High Girl’s Athletic Association.
Kris attended Delta Junior College before transferring to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo where she worked as a tour guide at Hearst Castle. She met Bob Brocchini and they married in 1969. They moved to Manteca, eventually settling in Ripon on the home ranch and raised four children. Her love for her children and community led to involvement in an extensive list of activities, events and organizations. She was a member of California Women for Agriculture, Omicron Beta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, Friends of the Ripon Library as well as being “room-mom” and chaperoned, Project Leader for 4-H, Honorary Chapter FFA Degree, and Ripon High Homecoming Grand Marshall.
Kris served as a Trustee on the Ripon Unified School Board from 1986-2000. Her leadership included significant contributions to the district’s educational programs and community engagement efforts.
The list of Kris’s accolades is long, but her greatest accomplishment was her family. She is survived by her children; Michelle Brocchini, Melissa States (Bret), Stephen Brocchini (Janna) and Gina Brocchini (Joe Rodrigues), grandchildren; Ashly Gomez, Branden States, Gianna Brocchini, Malery States, Gino Brocchini, Ava Brocchini and Joshua Rodrigues and one brother Mike Hess (Pam). She is preceded in death by one sister Pamela.
Kris’s favorite titles were “Mom and Grandma Kris”, but she was lovingly known as “Mama K and Grandma K” by all in the community. She attended countless school ceremonies and activities, competitions and sporting events, often wearing her “Ripon Red” to support her kids and grandchildren.
Following a diagnosis of Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) in 2003, she became an avid supporter and board member of Spastic Paraplegia Foundation to advance research and find cures for 2 rare and progressive neurological disorders.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either SPF to honor her commitment to finding a cure for PLS, or to The Ripon QB Club to support youth activities and sports in the community she loved. Spastic Paraplegia Foundation INC, 6952 Clayborne Drive O’Fallon, MO 65568-6202 or Ripon QB Club, PO Box 1124 Ripon, CA 95366
P.L. Fry and Son is honored to be serving the Brocchini family. A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a rosary/vigil at 3:00 p.m. held at P.L. Fry and Son Chapel, 290 N. Union Rd., Manteca, Ca. A Mass will be on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 19399 S. Highway 120, Ripon, Ca. She will be laid to rest at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. For direct condolences to the family or to watch the rosary/vigil live visit www.plfryandson.com
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
