Gerald Paul Ivancie

Dr. Gerald Paul Ivancie, 92, of Centennial, died Friday, January 1, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Esther C. Ivancie and of the late Mary Kimmel Ivancie. Born in Marble, Minnesota, Gerald was the son of the late John and Mary (Mayerle) Ivancie. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (1947) and Master of Science (1954) degrees from the University of Iowa. He served during both World War II and the Korean War with the U.S. Navy, as an Ensign with the Navy Hospital Corps during 1942 and as a Lieutenant JG with the Navy Dental Corps from 1951-1953. He taught at his alma mater from 1953-1958, where he was the Head of the Department of Periodontology at the end of his tenure. He was a pioneer in the fields of periodontology and maxillofacial orthopedics, a diplomat to the American Board of Periodontology, a member of the American Academy of Gnathological Orthopedics, a lifetime member of the American Dental Association, and a founder and past President of the Rocky Mountain Association of Maxillofacial Orthopedics. Gerald and his wife, Mary, were married in 1948 and moved to Denver in 1958, where they owned and operated Colorado's first modern commercial winery, Ivancie Wines, from 1968 to 1973. What began as a hobby in the garage of their Gilpin Street home became the business that sowed the seeds of the Colorado wine industry. Their wines won International acclaim, and the Ivancies are recognized as the founders of viticulture in the Grand Valley. Gerald accomplished all of this while running a thriving periodontal practice in Denver and raising a family of nine children. In 2003, the Ivancies were inducted into the Western Colorado Historical Museum for their contributions to the state's wine industry. Gerald was an accomplished musician and loved entertaining friends and family with songs from his parents' native home, Slovenia. He was a master gardener, a rancher at his Oberkrain ranch in Northwestern Colorado and a visionary in every sense of the word. He was an active member of Cherry Hills Country Club for more than 30 years and a parishioner of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. After losing his cherished wife of 50 years, Mary, in 2004, Gerald married his beloved Esther, who survives him. He is also survived by six daughters, Mayerle Ann Neher (Graydon) of Castle Pines, Elizabeth Ann Kennedy (James) of Grand Junction, Molly Ursula Ivancie of Centennial, Monica Ann Ruiz (Louis) of Denver, Mary Katherine Ivancie of Denver, and Anna Margaret Smith (Andrew) of Prairie Village, Kansas; two sons, Stephen Kolar Ivancie (Diana) of Steamboat Springs and Paul Gill Ivancie (Ann) of Denver; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a sister, Mary K. Bell of Pueblo, Colorado; a brother Francis J. Ivancie of Woodland, California; and many nieces and nephews. His first wife, Mary, his son, John Kimmel Ivancie, and brother, John L. Ivancie, preceded him in death. A Rosary will be held Thursday, January 7th at 4 p.m. followed by visitation from 5-7 p.m. at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial. A Funeral Mass will take place Friday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 8035 S. Quebec St., Englewood, with interment at Fairmount Cemetery following the Mass. Please share memories of Gerald and condolences with the family by signing the guestbook below.