Colleen Sue Denker

Colleen Sue Denker passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, Colorado, on December 9, 2024.

Colleen was born in Princeton, Kansas, on December 18, 1953 to parents Louis and Evelyn Denker. Colleen was the youngest of three children. 

Colleen attended primary school in Ottawa, Kansas, and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1971. Colleen continued her education at the Newman Hospital School of Nursing in Emporia, Kansas. 

After graduating nursing school, Colleen enlisted in the United Stars Navy becoming a charge nurse and was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps and was discharged from the service in 1976. 

After leaving the Navy, she returned to Kansas to work in the medical field. She worked as a nurse in hospitals located in Topeka, Wichita, Overland Park, and Lawrence. She also worked as a traveling nurse with the American Red Cross in South Central Kansas. 

Later, Colleen moved to the Denver area to be closer to her sister Eila and her family. 

Colleen enjoyed gardening, watching NASCAR races, attending aerobatic performances by the Blue Angles, and spending time with family and friends. She was also an avid animal lover, enjoying spending time with her cat and volunteering at a local animal shelter. 

Colleen is proceeded in death by her brother Everett, sister Eila, and nephew Ricky Smith. 

Colleen will be greatly missed by her family and those she worked with in the nursing profession. She leaves behind family including a nephew, Rodney Smith, of Lawrence, Kansas. Also a nephew, Roger Smith (Anita) and two grand nieces, Lydia and Thora in the Denver area. 

In keeping with her reverence for those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States, donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project, or the American Red Cross can be made in Colleen’s memory.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 from 3:00pm until 6:00pm at Horan & McConaty, Thornton.

Colleen will be laid to rest in Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas.