Daisy W. Denning

She was raised in Westminster on the truck farm her parents owned in older Westminster. She was the oldest of 4 girls and quickly became her Dad's best farmhand. She spent her extra hours in the fields with him while the other 3 younger sisters worked in the house with Mom. She attended Westminster schools, graduating from High School there. Her senior year she received a full four year scholarship from the Bonfils Foundation of Denver. She attended Ft. Collins A&M (at that time, now Colorado State Univ.), graduating with a B.A in education, majoring in home economics.

When she was 21 she married "Doc" Guilford Howard Sr.. He was a widower with a 10 year old son "Buddy" (Guilford Jr.). She quickly jumped into the role of "MOM". Wanting a sister for Buddy, Daisy and Doc adopted a 7 year old girl, Bonnie. Within a short time she became pregnant and delivered a daughter June, then a second daughter Doris, and lastly a son Gilbert . That completed her family and she was busily caring for them and working part time.

When the children were older she opted to return to teaching. She went to Greeley for some recertification courses and began teaching third and fourth graders in the Westminster Public Schools, At age 55 after 29 years of marriage Doc passed away. About eight years later Daisy married her daughter Doris' father-in-law Willard. At age 61 she retired from teaching and she and Willard moved to Cape Coral, FL. for 9 years. At that point they chose to move to Spiro, OK where they lived for 14 years. They gardened and Daisy got involved again in church activities, volunteered at the local nursing home writing a column, doing fingernails for the women, calling Bingo and reading to the patients.

When Willard became ill he entered the nursing home in Spiro. During that time daughter Doris and son in law Dan were preparing to move to Wickenburg, AZ. It was decided the "folks" were going to go also. Willard was in the nursing home there, (where after two years he passed away) Dan and Doris moved into their home and Daisy into her home. Daisy quickly got involved in church once again. She became busy in the women's ministries and at the nursing home feeding/helping care for Willard, calling Bingo at an assisted living facility, making backpacks for Indian children on the reservations, lap quilts for hospital/nursing homes and helped feed and bring drinks to patients where Willard had been.

In 2003 at age 91 after 8 years in Wickenburg, she chose to move to Modesto, CA to be near daughter June and husband Darrell. She had a lovely double- wide home in a nice community not far from June. She became active again in church and began making her lap quilts for patients.

At nearly 93 Daisy had a stroke. It affected the retrieval of memories part of her brain and she could no longer live alone. She moved in with June and Darrell. She still remained as active as possible, counting oranges on trees, and loving the flowers and birds in the yard and all her family who came to see her, phoned and sent cards and gifts. Through a series of TIA's she became more and more unable to do the things she loved to do. At age 99 she fell and broke her hip. She was never able to walk again and for the last 3 years was in a care facility. She was always loved by all who cared for her and knew her. She was full of humor and fiestiness. On the occassion of her 100th birthday we celebrated with a wonderful party attended by 80 people.

Her family will miss her wisdom, love, sweet smile and firm grip. She was a wonderful Daughter, Sister, Mom, Grandma, Great grandma, Aunt and Friend, and though she did not ever get to know her great, great, grandchildren, they will get to know her through the love and stories of all who came before them.

She is survived by her children; June (Darrell) Meyer, Doris (Dan) Denning, Gilbert (Darlene) Howard, Dick (Rita) Denning, Dan (Doris) Denning, Dody (Ron) Watkinson, and David (Trudy) Denning, grandchildren; Ada Apelhans, Connie Wagner, Anita (Denny) Paquette, Terry (Rachel) Green, Bill (Ramona) Green, and Jeannette (Brian) Carmack, also 43 great grandchildren and 21 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; Ed & Charlotte Farrel, siblings; Grace (Mack) Coggswell, Irene (Harold) Von Ehrenkrook, Iva (Paul Grobelbe, Vern (Seaman), husbands; "Doc" (Guilford) two children, Guilford Howard, Jr. and Bonnie Green Howard, and Willard Denning.

Visitation Friday, September 13, 2013, from 5pm to 8pm at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary. Funeral Service, Saturday, September 14, 2013, 3pm in the Chapel of Peace located on the grounds of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery.

She will be laid to rest at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.