Gloria Schlapkohl Siekmeier

Gloria Schlapkohl Siekmeier, Denver resident since 1954, died Tuesday, October 1, 2024, in her home, age 91. Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend made a graceful exit after a rich, full life. 

She was born to Lloyd and Ruth (Dietrich) Schlapkohl in Luverne, Minnesota, October 17, 1932, and raised on the Schlapkohl family farm in a home without electricity or running water. She attended a country school nearby, District 29 of Vienna township in Rock County. She traveled to Colorado with the Padilla family at age 16, and then resolved to teach in Colorado. Her sister Audre died suddenly of polio, in 1948, at age 18. In 1950, she graduated from Luverne High School, playing trumpet, twirling baton, singing choir, writing for newspaper. In 1954, she earned a teaching certificate from the University of South Dakota (Vermillion). Upon graduation, she moved to Denver to begin her teaching career at Phillips Elementary. In the fall of 1954, she met Don Siekmeier, also an USD alum. They were engaged in January 1955 and married at the Presbyterian Church in Luverne on July 30, 1955. She was married to Don for 64 years until his passing in 2019. They had four sons: Tom (Claudette) of Littleton, CO; John (Diana) of Yankton, SD; Stuart (Jane) of Centennial, CO; Luke of Denver, CO; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, sister, and parents Lloyd (1994) and Ruth (2000).

 Gloria was a faithful Christian and involved church member, beginning at St. Andrew Presbyterian and then at Bear Creek Presbyterian, later at Atonement Lutheran, and in recent years at The Light of Christ Anglican. She expressed her faith by her actions.

 Gloria was fully engaged in life. Her commitment to her family and community was amazing. Loyalty and commitment characterized her. “Steady wins the race” was her motto. She was a great encourager. She seldom made a disparaging remark.

 She had the gift of hospitality as great cook and warm hostess. She also had a penchant for gift-giving, always succeeding with a birthday greeting or a holiday present, usually providing dessert.

 She maintained a far-flung correspondence with a plethora of people over many years. She also composed numerous autobiographical sketches, built photo albums, assembled scrapbooks, collected quotations, and wrote observations and reflections on life.

 Gloria was a goer and a doer. She was involved in a myriad of activities, including: Den Mother for Cub Scouts; Sabin Elementary PTA President; reading tutor; Bible study at Bear Creek Presbyterian and many years thereafter; hymn-singing group; Square Halos square dance group with Don; Kappa Alpha Theta sorority president; Theta hiking group, climbing 14ers; Pinehurst book club; bridge group; gourmet club; election judge; The International golf tourney; yearly bell ringing for the Salvation Army. With husband Don, she traveled far and wide, mostly via auto, to such places as: Alaska, Canada, Lake Superior; Montana, New England. They also visited England; Europe; Hawaii.

 Throughout life she was an avid ice skater, seamstress (clothes, blankets, Halloween costumes), and some-time piano and trumpet player. She played tennis competitively at Pinehurst C.C. and other venues.

 When her boys were all of school age, she began substitute teaching in DPS, which she did for nearly fifty years, through the 2022-23 school year. She completed an M.A. in Special Education at University of Northern Colorado in 1988. At her 90th birthday party she said, “All I ever wanted to do was be a teacher.” Most of her substitute earnings went to college funds for grandchildren.

 In her 50s she undertook athletic challenges with Bolder Boulder road race (over 30 years—a frequent age-group winner), The Cherry Creek Sneak, and many other running races. Her foremost endeavor was the Denver Post Ride the Rockies bicycle tour, as a rider from 1986-2002 and volunteer from 2003-2017.

 Gloria showed great endurance in her many athletic feats but also persevered nobly in her last years through loss of vision and physical dependency. Visitors and care-givers often noticed “that smile” and “those pretty blue eyes.”

 We are profoundly grateful to Gloria’s many wonderful caregivers from the Comfort Keepers company. Elevation Hospice also helped make Gloria’s final phase as good as possible. Words fail to convey our appreciation.

In honor of Gloria, we'd request contributions to:

Samaritan’s Purse

PO Box 3000

Boone, NC 28607

www.samaritanspurse.org