Denise Larson was born on April 24, 1962, in Moline, Ill., the youngest of five children to Sheldon and Nona Larson. She came west at age 7 and lived the rest of her life in southern Colorado.
She graduated from Pueblo East High School in 1980 and continued her education at barber school in Colorado Springs. Later, she earned associates degrees from Pueblo Community College and Intellitec College.
Always a hard-working woman, Denise had three jobs at the time she met Nick Provenza in 1987. They married in 1988 and in 1989 their only child, Karlee Rae, was born. Denise and Nick eventually divorced but remained good friends.
Denise was a dedicated teacher. She worked for many years as an educator and caretaker to people with disabilities, including positions at public schools in Aguilar, Penrose, and Pueblo. She also worked as a medical lab technician at Saint Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City.
Animals and pets remained a source of joy for Denise throughout her life. She enjoyed singing and dancing, kayaking and camping, board and card games, and motorcycle rides.
In 2014, she met Gary Petrone, of Cañon City, and the two remained in a loving relationship for the rest of Denise’s life.
Denise was preceded in death by her father, Sheldon; brothers Merle and Allen; and sister Miriam and Miriam’s husband, Kevin. She is survived by her mother, Nona; daughter, Rep. Karlee Provenza, who serves in the Wyoming Legislature, and her husband, Nate Martin; and sister Phyllis Starner; as well as many relatives and friends.
A celebration of Denise’s life will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, at the Pueblo West Living Water Fellowship (198 South Purcell Blvd., Pueblo West). Upon her request, Denise’s ashes will be scattered on the Spanish Peaks and along the Million Dollar Highway to the tune of Bruce Springstein’s “Waitin’ on a Sunny Day” at a later date.
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