Michael Shellenberg

Michael Baird Shellenberg passed away on March 9th, 2022 at the age of 80 in Greenwood Village, Colorado.  He is survived by his son Christopher and daughter-in-law Tiffany, his grandchild Coen, and his brother David and sister-in-law Patricia.

Michael was born in 1942 in Ramsey, Minnesota to Mary Elizabeth Shellenberg and David John Shellenberg.  He grew up in Sheridan, Wyoming before the family moved to Indiana, and Michael graduated from William A. Wirt High School in Gary, Indiana in 1960.  He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at DePauw University in 1967 and a Master of Social Work Degree at the University of Denver in 1975.

Michael moved to Colorado in 1967 for an assignment at Fort Logan Mental Health Center, and that would become the start of his career-long dedication to helping people with their mental health.  His career path would next take him to Cherry Creek School District to work as a social worker and counselor at Smoky Hill High School in 1974, and he worked throughout the district at all levels K-12 for over 26 years.  He also had a private counseling practice focused on family therapy in the late 1980’s and 1990’s.  He married Carole Maloney Shellenberg in 1980 and started a family in Aurora, CO with the birth of their son Christopher in 1981.  Michael loved his family very much, and he often spoke of how Carole saved him and brought him much love and stability to his life.

Michael loved art, music, poetry, and reading; he considered himself a life-long learner.  He was very social and outgoing, and he enjoyed time spent with family and with neighbors at potlucks and dances hosted in the neighborhood.  He loved his monthly poker games with friends and enjoyed family get-togethers often hosted by him and Carol at their home. He loved making new friends anywhere and everywhere he went.  He was always willing to lend an ear with a caring demeaner and without judgement.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:00 am at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home Centennial located at 5303 E County Line Rd, Centennial, CO 80122, with a lunch reception to follow.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s name to one of the following charity organizations that Michael cared about: Mental Health America, Native American Rights Fund (NARF), or Tree of Life Foundation.