Wilbur Wallace Stutheit

Wil was born in Denver in 1927 to Julius and Ruth Stutheit. He and his younger sisters, Wilma (Mirich) and Marilyn (Berghorn) grew up in a small house in the Barnum Neighborhood (named for PT Barnum) in Northwest Denver. In 1945, after graduating from West High School, he joined the Merchant Marines for a short stint and then in 1946 he enlisted in the 24th division of the army. He was an MP in Japan several years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and also served during the Korean War. He left the army in 1951 with the rank of Sargeant First Class. He attended school between deployments and graduated from Colorado State College of Education (University of Northern Colorado) with a degree in Education. This would be followed by a Master’s in Education from the University of Denver. Wil was a collegiate all-star basketball and football player. While attending UNC he met Geraldine “Geri” Garrison and they were married in 1950. They would be best friends and partners for 68 years until Geri’s death in 2018. Wil and Geri had four children, Brian, Paul, Kendra (Kendy) and Lynn.

Following his army service Wil started his career as an elementary school teacher in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Then, In 1956 he joined the Littleton School District where he worked for 28 years as a teacher, principal and Personnel Director/Assistant Superintendent. He retired from the school district in 1984. Wil and Geri then moved to Fort Collins and Wil worked part-time as the Human Resource Manager for Wells Fargo for 7 years.

The Stutheits enjoyed an active life in Fort Collins. Wil was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club for more than 50 years. He was also a volunteer for Project Self Sufficiency, a tutor for children through Headstart and the Partners Organization. He drove for Saints and served as his HOA board president. He and Geri were active members of their beloved Plymouth Congregational Church. The two were great dancers and even hosted a dance show on public TV. Wil played golf until he was 93. He took long bike rides and worked out at the gym through his 80’s even participating in the Senior Olympics Basketball team. Wil and Geri helped design the first senior workout program in Fort Collins. They loved attending CSU women’s sports events, reading to each other every night, live theater, dinner parties and get-togethers with cherished friends, playing word games and canoeing on the lake. After Geri died, Dad became a great cook and loved sharing his meals with family and friends. He looked forward to selecting and planting flowers every spring.

Wil was loved by his wonderful and kind neighbors. He and Geri loved their home, the place of many family gatherings. They also loved Fort Collins and living near the lake. Wil lost Geri to cancer in 2018. At the age of 92, he survived hip surgery and 16 days in the hospital with COVID. During the pandemic he kindled a special friendship with his beloved best friend, Connie Allin. The two had many great adventures together.

“There is not a question in my mind that we are anymore than a flower or a tree and are placed on this earth to fill a specific need for something or someone. When our time comes to an end we can only be remembered for what little contribution we might have made. I hope those whom I love will reflect on the many many really good things that I have been exposed to and be happy that my life was so full.” Wilbur Stutheit

Wil is survived by his children, Brian (Kathy Ballinger), Paul, Lynn, sister, Wilma Mirich and grandchildren, Andrew (Drew) and Leslie. He is also survived by his special friend, Connie Allin, “adopted” daughter, Megara Kastner and many relatives, loving friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by wife, Geri, grandson, Edward (Ted) Boughton Stutheit, daughter, Kendy, and sister Marilyn Berghorn.

A service honoring Wil is scheduled for Saturday, March 18 at 10:00 am. at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Fort Collins, 916 W. Prospect Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Foothills Gateway, Inc. either by check mailed to 301 Skyway Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80525 or via payment on their website at: foothillsgateway.org.