Danielle Dunaway

Danielle Suzanne Dunaway was born on June 11, 1974, to Don and Diane Dunaway in Monroe, WI. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1992. While in High School, Danielle began attending Monroe Bible Chapel, where she came to know Jesus Christ as her Savior.

Life was never dull when Danielle was around. There are many humorous stories that could be shared but a family favorite was the day Danielle got her driver’s license at the age of 16. She gathered all her friends and family together to celebrate and when she pulled out of the driveway, she backed right into the mailbox with everyone watching!

After High School, Danielle went to Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, IA. Her original plan was to do the one-year Bible certificate program but stayed four years graduating in 1997 with a bachelor’s in Biblical studies.

Danielle dedicated her life to serving others. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she chose a profession that allowed her to serve people most in need of support. She spent the next several years in Appleton, WI at Lutheran Social Services. She dreamed about moving to be close to the Colorado mountains and made that a reality a couple years later. Moving to Colorado Springs, Danielle began working with the Developmentally Disabled. Years later she started working for the State of Colorado and eventually became the Deputy Director of Employment and Benefits in the Colorado Department of Human Services.

In her almost 20 years of working in Colorado’s Health and Human Services system, Danielle impacted nearly 500,000 Coloradan’s by improving their lives. In her work, Danielle served individuals and their families as they navigated some of their most difficult days. Danielle's work made a difference for those living in poverty or in need of more care so they could live safely and thrive in their Colorado community.  She did this with great passion because she believed deeply this was a basic human right. Danielle was an expert in her field. She was looked to by many as a leader and mentor, for support and advice, or for a quick-witted joke to brighten their day. Her dedication and passion will impact those she led and Coloradans for years to come.

While in Colorado Springs, Danielle was regularly involved at Camp Elim, in Woodland Park. She loved camp and volunteered in various roles. She was part of Harvest Bible Fellowship and was an Awana helper and high school group leader. She was also involved with a Bible study that met for many years.

After 10 years of commuting to her job in Denver, Danielle and Gus Gus moved from Colorado Springs to Littleton, in 2020 to share a home with her mother Diane (and cats Prince Harry and Shadow) who moved from California after the death of her father, Don. This special time of living together as adults was a gift to the both of them.

Danielle was truly one of a kind. Her presence and spirit rarely went unnoticed in any room. Danielle's fabulously quick wit and wicked sense of humor frequently induced uncontrollable laughter. She passionately shared her opinions and beliefs, which often would propel passionate debates. Danielle was uncommonly loyal and would drop anything to help those she considered "her people." She protected her tender heart but when she invited you into that part of her life, you saw an incredibly authentic woman whose love and feelings ran extraordinarily deep. Danielle’s faith in God was unshakable yet private, and she was a gift from God to those around her. While the grief at losing her is almost inexpressible, so is the gratefulness for having had the honor of her friendship and love.

Danielle loved Jesus, The Bachelor, Survivor, Gus Gus, the Packers, Aaron Rogers (her future husband), cheese curds and beef jerky (and not necessarily in that order). But mostly she loved her friends and family. Those of us who knew her well always felt loved by her.

Danielle is survived by her mother, Diane Dunaway, brother Dustin (Mindy), nieces Seriena, Kyla and Hope. Danielle leaves behind her “California Family” who loved and adored her. Three Aunts, two uncles and ten first cousins who cherished every moment they got to spend with her. Her Wisconsin Family, one uncle and numerous cousins. She also leaves behind her adopted Faulkner family whom she spent many holidays and special times together since she moved to Colorado.

There will be a Celebration of Life on April 21st at Orchard Bible Church (6116 S. Pennsylvania St., Centennial, CO 80121) at 6:30pm with a dessert reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Camp Elim (5567 Painted Rocks Rd. Woodland Park, CO 80863 or campelim.com ).