Kaylene Mary Weiser

Kaylene Mary Weiser, age 73, peacefully passed away on February 11, 2017 at The Denver Hospice. She died of pancreatic cancer. Prior to her demise, Kaylene wrote the historical portions of this account herself, fearing that a comma or an apostrophe might be misplaced if the task were left to others. The subjective comments are written by her children. Kaylene was born on September 16, 1943, in Park Rapids, Minnesota, to Eleanor and Chester Robertson. Growing up in that era and location was largely joyful and uncomplicated. After graduating valedictorian of her high school class, she left home to study at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. With a degree in English and secondary education, her career path started at Mounds View High School, coaxing tenth grade English students to love reading and writing as much as she did. In 1966 Kaylene married John Watkins with whom she had three children. After the birth of the first child, Krista, in 1970, they left suburban Twin Cities to move to Alexandria, MN, where for twenty years the family lived and labored on a ""hobby farm,"" raising beef, showing horses, and tending vegetable gardens. In Alexandria, she worked as an instructor at Alexandria Technical College, capping her career there with the development of a program designed to help women start up their own businesses. She was active in the community in several organizations, ranging from League of Women Voters to the Alexandria Area Arts Association. When Kaylene's marriage to John ended, she moved back to the Twin Cities to marry William Weiser, who preceded her in death. For the remainder of her working life, she experienced the challenges and rewards of self-employment as a consulting facilitator and trainer in a range of corporate, non-profit, and government settings. With the birth of her first grandchild, Kaylene made the difficult choice to leave her state and move to Denver, CO, to be close to her progeny. This proved to be a sound decision as they supported her through her difficult medical diagnosis for 5 ½ years. Kaylene will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren; however, she lived life fully, spending as much time laughing, celebrating, traveling and sharing intimate moments with them. She was the quintessential mother, making sure her children were well loved, while setting an example of how to be a strong yet empathetic adult. Kaylene, or Nan as she was known to her grandchildren, had a special relationship to each of her six grandchildren, who span in age from 6-15 years of age. They will carry the memories and lessons she taught them, as they navigate through life's milestones. She will also be missed by dear friends who's lives she touched so deeply. Kaylene will be lovingly remembered by her mother Eleanor Robertson of Park Rapids, MN, daughters, Krista (Jeff) Price, Stacy (Jay) Montgomery, of Denver, CO; her son, Brian (Alison) Watkins of Fort Collins, CO. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Jaden and Dane Price, Seth and Thaya Montgomery, Owen and Olivia Watkins, all of Colorado. Kaylene was preceded in death by her father, Chester Robertson; her husband, William Weiser; her brother, Charles; and her sister-in-law, Wilma Robertson. Recommendations for memorial donations in Kaylene's name can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at, www.themmrf.org/donate-to-mmrf/ and the Cancer League of Colorado, at www.CancerLeague.org