Barbara Granruth Obituary

Barbara Jean Granruth, age 88 of Lakewood, Colorado passed away quietly on January 14 2026.

Barbara was born and raised in Sacramento, California. After marrying Alan, she and her husband lived in Baltimore, Maryland; Reno, Nevada; and San Francisco, California, before making Lakewood, Colorado their permanent home, where she resided until her passing.

Barbara was a devoted homemaker and a generous volunteer, giving more than 20 years of service to Denver’s Channel 6. She filled her time cooking, quilting, and knitting, and was always happiest when creating something for others.

She also worked alongside her husband in organizing the annual traditional jazz festivals in Central City, Colorado, from 1977 to 1992. After each performance, Barbara and Alan welcomed the musicians into their home, where Barbara prepared memorable meals entirely from scratch.

Barbara passed along many cherished traditions to her family. Every Christmas she baked her traditional fruitcakes for family and friends and built and decorated gingerbread houses with her grandsons and great-grandchildren. She was well known for her Chex Mix party snack, making sure everyone had plenty, and for creating the elaborate salad bar that became a highlight of the family’s annual crab feasts.

Barbara will be remembered for her generosity, hospitality, and the loving traditions she created and shared with her family throughout her life.

Barbara is survived by her son Alan Granruth Jr. and his wife Tari; her grandsons Ryan and his wife Megan, and Nicholas and his fiancé Elaine; great-grandchildren Haley, Hannah, Colton, Ainsley, and Quinn. She is also survived by her nephews; Walter Granruth III, Jay Leonard, Jack Hinsley, Phil Hinsley, and Ken Hinsley, and her nieces Ellen Mendez-Penate and Kathy Atwood.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Alan Granruth Sr.; her parents Norma Badella and Bart Seman; her sister Agnes Atwood; her nephew Richard Atwood; and her sister-in-law Jeanne Williams.

Please share your memories of Barbara and condolences with her family by signing the guest book below.