Marlene Joyce Chapla

Marlene Joyce Chapla, 84, passed away in Denver, Colorado on March 20, 2020.

She was born to Charles Sotosek and Mary Popish- Sotosek on March 13, 1936 in Erie, Colorado. Marlene was raised in Globeville, Colorado the daughter of a musician she was born a polka loving girl. She met the love of her life John Chapla also a Globeville man and married him at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on February 8, 1958. They began their married life in North Denver and moved to Arvada, Colorado where they raised their daughters Christy, Denise, and Janine.

Marlene took pride in being a homemaker, supportive wife, and mother. Once her children were in school she spent time working as a teacher's aide in the schools that her daughters attended so she could keep an eye on them. Once her daughters graduated from high school she got her real estate license and worked for ERA realtors. She made good friends everywhere she worked.

From there Marlene and John spent a few years in Pueblo, Colorado where they started and ran the Northern Colorado Polka Club. A group of polka loving people, they needed a place to dance and mingle on Sunday afternoons. John and Marlene loved their life in Pueblo where John worked at Pueblo West Golf Course and Marlene played on the women's league. Once their grandchildren were grown Marlene and John moved back down to Johnstown, Colorado where they would be closer to their children and grandchildren and live out their golden years.

Marlene is survived by her three daughters and their husbands Christy Befort, Denise and Gary Garrison, Janine and Mike Corcoran; her six grandchildren Danielle Witte, Rachel Befort, Barbara Jean Daughtry, Mallory Munnings, Brittany Corcoran and Andrew Befort; her seven great-grandchildren; along with many other loving family members and friends.

Marlene will be laid to rest with her late husband John Chapla at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

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