Anna Lee Greunke

Anna Lee (Velte) Greunke was born May 6th, 1943 in Grant, Nebraska in the maternity ward of Dr. Colglazier's home. She attended country school, District 58 in rural Brule, Nebraska. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church Ogallala, Nebraska. She graduated from Perkins County High School in 1960 and graduated from Bryan School of Nursing in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1963. On December 29th, 1963 she married Leo Greunke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ogallala, Nebraska. In 1964 she worked briefly at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, part of the summer in Ogallala, and in the fall moved to Denver where she worked as an RN at Rose Medical Hospital. In 1966 when Leo went into the Air Force, she worked in Gulfport, Mississippi at a local hospital. In early 1967, she went to Misawa, Japan to be with Leo. While there she worked at the child care center on base. When Leo was sent to Danang, Vietnam in 1969, she returned to Grant, Nebraska and worked at the hospital there. During this time her oldest son David was born. After Leo returned home from Vietnam, they again returned to Denver and she resumed work at Rose Hospital. Her second son Michael was born in 1970. Raising 2 young boys was a challenge she enjoyed while working part time at a Dr's Office. In 1975 when the new hospital in Aurora opened, she went back to work in OB. Her daughter LeAnn was born in 1978. She continued to work at both hospitals in Aurora until her retirement in 2008. In 2008 she was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Cell Lymphoma. In the fall of 2009 she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Following 2 major surgeries she was put on heavy chemotherapy. She endured 3 years of treatment and eventually, she became unable to receive treatment any longer. Anna Lee died at the age of 69. She was preceded in death by her parents Ruth and Gaylord Velte, her infant sister Linda, and her 5 year old son Michael. She leaves to mourn, her husband Leo, her son David, his wife Uta and their children Mari and Elin Greunke of Denver, Colorado, her daughter LeAnn and husband Don and their children Scarlett and Donny Sisson of Englewood, Colorado, her 2 sisters Carol and her husband Harold Tickle of Alexandria, Virginia, and Louetta and her husband Burle Gengenbach of Roseville, Minnesota, 4 brothers-in-law, Richard and Virginia Greunke of Denver Colorado, Carl and Barb Greunke of Fremont, Nebraska, Martin and Yvonne of Papillion, Nebraska, Alvin and Cheryl of St. Charles, Missouri, a large number of cousins, nieces and nephews from both sides of the family, many friends, associates, and acquaintances. Anna Lee worked as a RN for over 40 years. Most of this time was spent doing what she loved most, working with mothers and their babies in labor and delivery. Anna Lee took great pride in her nursing and always advocated for her patients. She worked for 10 years as the leader of The Compassionate Friends Support Group helping those who had also lost children. She had a zest for life few could rival and she was known to always get the first, and the last word. She believed in fairness, was one of the most honest people you would ever meet, and was an inspiration to all she touched. Her infectious laugh and sense of humor kept everyone constantly entertained. Her family would consider her the heart of the family and the one responsible for all of the creative ideas and the fun. Anna Lee loved the mountains, traveling, gardening, nursing sick plants back to life, and found adventure around every corner. She loved her family and doted especially on her 4 beloved grandchildren. Her eyes were the window to her sweet and gentle soul and her touch always made us all feel better. Loyal confidant, best friend, trusted companion, faithful sister, doting daughter, and the most wonderful wife, mother and grandmother anyone could wish for. She took wonderful care of us all and she will be greatly missed. Anna Lee passed away peacefully at home on December 14th, 2012 with family by her side. Visitation will be held Tuesday December 18th, 2012 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, CO. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Aurora, Colorado on Wednesday December 19th, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is planning to use any donations we receive to dedicate a memorial bench to Anna Lee at one of her favorite spots, Castlewood Canyon State Park where we all can watch the sunset with her.