Relda Louise Dutton

Relda Louise (Lou) Dutton, 89, passed away due to cancer on May 29, 2011 in Littleton, CO. She was born in Goodland, Kansas, on August 11, 1921, the youngest daughter of Leonard and ""Bessie"" Sexson Jones. Her father worked as a railroad engineer for the Rock Island Railroad, while her mother stayed at home raising their seven children. Relda Lou graduated from Sherman County High School in 1939. She then attended Kansas State University, transferred, and received a teaching certificate from Fort Hays State University the following year. She taught 4th grade and music at Edson, KS, but decided the world of business better suited her. She returned home and worked at Goodland Savings and Loan bank. On December 23, 1945, Lou married Paul Dutton in Smith Center, Kansas. He worked with his father in road construction until the business was sold and his father retired. Lou encouraged and supported him as he attended dental school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Then, in 1959, the couple moved to Colorado to open a new dental practice and raise their three children. Soon after moving to the Denver Metro area, Lou began working for Terrydale Realty Trust as a Building Manager at 101 University Boulevard in Cherry Creek. It was there she began her long and distinguished career as a commercial property manager, including the eventual formation of her own property management company. In 1972, Lou enrolled in the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). She received high praise for her Management Survey project which was later used as an IREM course example. Three years later, Lou became the first woman in the United States to receive the designation of Certified Property Manager (CPM). Then in 1978, she was elected as the first woman in the nation to serve as President of an IREM Chapter. During her tenure as president, the Northern Colorado Chapter No. 17 of IREM was also recognized as an exemplary (1st place) chapter by the national IREM organization. She considered this her crowning business achievement. After 26 years in property management, Lou retired, but continued to work yet another 10 years as Executive Director for the local IREM Chapter and received Emeritus status. Even then, she continued to work by volunteering her services at the Jefferson County Election Commission. Through it all, music was an integral part of Lou's life. She enjoyed listening to music, attending concerts, singing, and playing piano and organ on a regular basis. She also enjoyed playing bridge, poker, and ""O' 'Ell"" with family and friends. But above all, the thing that mattered most to her was her family; both immediate and extended. Survivors include her three daughters and their husbands; Denise (Don) Richards of Lawrence, KS; Dana (Steve) Smith of Appleton, WI; Janelle (Mark) Wagner of Littleton, CO; and six grandchildren; Nathan (Rebecca Davis) Richards, Rachel and Tyler Smith, Jessica, Kelly, and Daniel Wagner; and a brother, Dr. Ben Jones, of Burlington, CO, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Paul, her husband of 60 years, preceded her in death in May 2006. A Memorial Service will be held at Horan McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard (between Hampden and Yale Avenues), Lakewood, CO on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with a dessert reception following the ceremony. Inurnment will be in Kansas. Please share your memories of Relda ""Lou"" and condolences with her family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" button below.