Obituary of Harriet Berenbaum

Harriet (née Kurtz) Berenbaum died September 20, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born August 25, 1928 in Denver, Colorado to Max and Helene (née Bauman) Kurtz. She was the fifth of their five children: Albert, Maxine, Regine, Nancy, and Harriet. All have pre-deceased her.

She married Zelie Berenbaum on July 6, 1952.  Zelie passed away in 2001. Their children are Dean Berenbaum and Lisa (Don, husband of blessed memory) Stewart. There are three grandchildren: Jack Stewart, Molly Berenbaum, and Talia Berenbaum, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was a top student throughout her school years and attended the University of Colorado. She was a dedicated mother and homemaker, avid golfer, excellent skier, graceful swimmer, and die-hard Denver Broncos fan. Harriet loved gardening and flower arranging, and was a Life Master bridge player, however, her deepest passion was gourmet cooking. She mastered the French and Italian schools of cooking and baking, with a good bit of Jewish cuisine thrown in.

She attended classes at the Culinary Institute of America, the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and hosted noted Italian pasta chef Giuliano Bugialli in her home for a private cooking lesson. Her pasta and sauces were made by hand from scratch; a joy that she shared generously with family and friends.

Her children think her driving style was also influenced by Italian culture: she drove fast, sporty cars and shouted at other drivers she thought were too slow.

She was often a purist, expected excellence, and was always an abundantly loving wife and mother, and will be greatly missed. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Emily Griffith Foundation https://www.egfoundation.org/give in support of vocational learning.

Graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 25^th, 9:45am, Emanuel Cemetery (within Fairmount Cemetery). Livestream will be available via Feldman Mortuary’s YouTube Channel.

Instructions to locate the graveside, enter Fairmount Cemetery from the Quebec gate then follow the road past the "Little Ivy Chapel" (not so little) where you will then hit the main road. Turn right on the main road, which will lead you to "Emanuel Cemetery" section: which does have a large sign. There will be a tent/chairs set up and attendees will likely see the funeral coach and staff at Harriet's graveside.