Brenda Carriaga

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brenda Carriaga, 67, a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cherished friend, on December 29, 2025, in Junction City, Kansas.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm at Johnson & Mass-Hinitt on Friday, January 9, 2026 with Pastor Ronnie Roberts officiating. 

Brenda and her beloved husband, Carlos Carriaga, shared 41 years of marriage and made Kansas their home in 1985 during his final active-duty assignment with the United States Army at Fort Riley. After his retirement, they chose to remain there, building a life rooted in love, companionship, and community. To her husband, Brenda was his sweetheart—his partner in everything. They shared a deep and enduring partnership, defined by devotion, laughter, and genuine care for one another.

Brenda dedicated many years to serving the Junction City public schools, where she worked closely with children who were very dear to her. Over the years, she supported students through her work in computer labs, and later served as a paraprofessional working with special education students. She was fondly called Mrs. "C" by her students. Brenda formed lasting friendships with coworkers who became like family, and she took great pride in the work she did alongside them.

Brenda was known for her kindness and generosity of spirit. She had a special gift for making people feel seen and valued. She remembered what people loved, thought carefully about others, and found joy in giving. Making people feel special wasn’t just something she did—it was who she was.

She was a devoted mother to her sons, Chad, Jim, and Bo, nurturing them with love, warmth, and unwavering devotion. Brenda also lovingly embraced Christine and Cinnamon, her husband’s daughters, as her own. Family, to Brenda, was defined by love.

She is survived by her loving family: her husband, Carlos Carriaga; her children, Chad Carriaga and Amanda Garner and their children, Kai and Gavin; James and Sara Carriaga and their children, Alea, Dillon, Ryan, and Brooklyn; Robert and Heather Carriaga and their children, Jasmine, Iris, and Joseph; Christine and Gregory Castro and their children, Alexis and Hayley; Cinnamon and Vickie Carriaga and their children, Danielle, Antonio, Jacob, and Lawrence; her siblings, Linda Rowley, Janice and Kim Clark, and Gary and Cheryl Poole; numerous nieces and nephews; her beloved dogs, Hachi, Moki, and Carly; and a wide circle of friends whose lives were forever touched by her kindness and love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emiko Whitt and Robert Poole.

Brenda will be remembered for her generous heart, her thoughtfulness, her devotion to family, and the countless ways she quietly made the world a better place. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will live on in all who knew her.