Delores Schellenger

On June 15, 1933, in Monument Colorado, a baby girl was born to Jessie and Bruce Geiger. Anxiously waiting at home were her seven siblings. Delores was the eighth child born to the Geiger clan. On May 28, 2023, Delores once again joined her family, only this time it was in Heaven.

   Delores grew up and attended school in Arriba and Cotopaxi Colorado. She graduated from Cotopaxi High School with merit pins in shorthand, typing, and band. 

  After graduation she met the love of her life, Duane Schellenger. They were married in Raton, New Mexico on October 31, 1951. Together Delores and Duane celebrated 46 years of marriage before Duane's death in 1997. Delores never remarried. During their marriage, they had two children, a son Douglas, and a daughter Diane.  

  Delores always enjoyed learning, whether it was a new crochet pattern or new information on a medication. Delores completed first aid class and then went on to become an EMT, one of the first EMTs in Fremont County. She was one of the founding members of Fremont County Search and Rescue, serving as secretary for several years. An opportunity presented itself for Delores to attend a nursing assistant class at St Thomas More Hospital. She completed the course and then worked at the hospital for several years. Delores was encouraged by her supervisor to seek further education to advance her career. Along with 4 other nursing assistants she applied to the University of Southern Colorado School of Practical Nursing and was accepted. After graduating from USC, she proudly worked 20+ years for Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home in Florence, Colorado.  

   Delores enjoyed Southwest culture, its legends, people, and food. Country music was her favorite with the likes of Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, and Loretta Lynn. Reading, crocheting, and taking care of her yard were her preferred hobbies. Her passions surrounded her family, from making breakfast, lunch, or dinner to making a bag of special cookies for her "kids" was first on her list.

  Delores was also lovingly known as Mom, Granny, Great Granny, Dee, Aunt Dee, and Aunt Lolly. Dee is survived by her son, Douglas (Kathy) Schellenger of Guffey, Colorado; grandsons Jason (Pam) Mikesell of Woodland Park, CO, Joshua Schellenger of Alabama; granddaughters Amanda (Juan) Manrique of Maricopa, Arizona, Jodie and Jessie Schellenger both in Alabama; daughter Diane (Jeff) Casserly of Rockvale, CO;  "other daughter" Trudy Miller of Canon City, CO; grandson Kristopher (Jaclynn) Jones of Highland Ranch, CO. Dee had three great-great-grandsons, two great-great-granddaughters, and one great great granddaughter arriving this summer. Dee was preceded in death by her parents; her eight siblings and their spouses; numerous nieces and nephews; one great-grandson; and one great-great-grandson.

  Dee was most fortunate to have close friends, Selby Becker "sister friend", Donna Corolla "little sister", Helen Oloman, and Stella Bunday-Colvin.  

   Rest well Mom, we will see you on the other side.

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