Harolyn M. Gumeson Villyard

Harolyn Gumeson Villyard, age 85, entered into rest on Wednesday, November 13th while residing at the Hover Green Houses in Longmont, CO. Harolyn was born November 16, 1938, in Helena, Montana to Homer and Helen (Shuman) Roberts. She was named in honor of her mother’s twin brother, Harold, and her mother, Helen, hence Harolyn.

In 1942, while staying with her grandmother in Plains, Kansas, her parents away working in support of the war effort, Harolyn contracted Polio. Hospitalized at Denver’s Children’s Hospital, she was fortunate to avoid time in an Iron Lung, but her left leg was damaged, impacting her mobility and stamina throughout her life.

The Roberts family moved to Deer Trail, Colorado where Harolyn attended school and waitressed in her mother’s café. She graduated from Deer Trail High School in 1957 and attended CU Boulder for a short time.

Transitioning to Barnes Business School in Denver, Harolyn befriended classmates from Longmont, CO. Their stories of a tall, funny guy named “Gummy,” intrigued Harolyn and eventually, she met Jim Gumeson, aka “Gummy.” The attraction was mutual, they were engaged at Colacci’s restaurant in Louisville and married in Boulder on November 8, 1958.

Daughter Cassandra was born in 1959, and daughter Kendra was born in 1961 while living in Boulder. The Gumesons moved to Jim’s hometown of Longmont in 1965. Harolyn was a member of the Newcomers Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and the Jaycee Jets. Harolyn was an accomplished seamstress, decorator, cook, entertainer and creator. She learned to paint, fire, and create porcelain dolls which morphed into a passion for creating miniatures. A patient and detail-oriented woman, she excelled at every creative endeavor she undertook.

In 1972, Jim and Harolyn purchased the Dainty Pastry Bakery at 461 Main Street fulfilling Jim’s lifelong dream of owning his own “hand shop.” Harolyn learned how to decorate cakes, her artistic talent created a high demand for her exquisite wedding and birthday cakes over the next 24 years.

Jim passed away in 1995 after a lengthy battle with cancer leaving Harolyn a widow at the age of 56. She retired and focused on family, home, and travel. After 9 years on her own she taught herself the ins and outs of computers and the internet. Harolyn bravely posted a listing on Match.com where she met her second husband, Kenneth Villyard, a widower and retired aerospace engineer. They were married September 10, 2004, and enjoyed 15 years together before Ken’s death in 2019.

Harolyn is survived by her daughters, Cassie Anderson (Steve) of Longmont and Kendra Gumeson Reitz (Kurt) of Windsor, CO. She is further survived by granddaughters Kaitlyn Anderson and Stephanie Cameron (Chris) both of Sanford, NC, Amber Moore (Kevin) of Fort Collins and grandson Keith Reitz (Mallory) of Eaton, CO. Harolyn’s great grandchildren, Reagan, Peyton, Cadence & Hailey Cameron along with Daniel Reitz (Jessica) and Emily (John) Klintworth were a source of great joy for her.

Our family wishes to extend our deep appreciation for the loving care and friendship over the last 4 years provided by our mother’s caretaker, Linda Heil of “Tending with Grace”.

A celebration of life for Harolyn will be held Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry St., Longmont, Colorado 80501. Following the celebration of life will be a committal service at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to TRU Community Care (www.trucare.org).