Vera Sutphin passed at age 94. She was born and raised on a farm until attending college to obtain her teaching certificate. The farm supported the family through the years of the Great Depression. When Vera went to college to obtain her teacher certificate, she lived in housing for the first time that had running water and electricity. The farm didn't have electricity until in the 1940's when a new barn needed to be built and power tools were needed. Vera was active in 4H and sewing, and competed in sewing competitions. She later designed and sewed her daughter's wedding dress.
One of her fond memories of her college years was playing football. Because it was the early 1940's during WWII, there weren't enough men to field a team, but the school still wanted to have a Homecoming celebration so they asked for women volunteers. Mom was quick to sign up as a linebacker and selected the nickname 'Hank'. She already knew the game, having played it growing up with her brothers. On the appointed day, the Dainty Dodgers and Battling Beauties met on the field. Vera was proud to say that 'no runs came through me'! And her team won 13 to 0.
She met her husband in college while doing some tutoring. After marrying in 1948, they enjoyed many years of happiness together, first teaching together in a small country school in a town that no longer exists. They were the only two teachers - Vera teaching elementary grades and her husband teaching the upper grades. They returned every summer to college for nine years to finish their degrees. Eventually they moved to Colorado, and Vera continued her teaching career as a third grade teacher for another 20 years. After helping her husband obtain his two masters degrees, Vera continued her own education during the summers and weekends to earn her Master Degree in Education while working full time and raising her family. She received the honor of Teacher of the Year toward the end of her career.
Over the years, she enjoyed exploring the United States with their 2 daughters and husband. The family camped and fished all over the western United States. They spent part of every summer in Yellowstone Park.
In 1994, both had retired, and for the first 5 years they spent their winters in Arizona, and the rest of the time in either their home in Denver or at their summer home in the mountains.
By 1999, Vera and her husband had sold their Arizona and mountain homes, and moved to full-time living in a retirement community in Denver where she shared her love of books by volunteering as part of the community library staff, eventually moving into the role of head librarian.
In addition to reading, doing daily crossword puzzles and working on family genealogy, Vera also enjoyed line dancing and walks along the Highline Canal. One of her hobbies was making beautiful stone 'gem' trees that she sold to various craft outlets and friends. When her oldest daughter and husband moved to the same retirement community, she had fun gardening with them in one of the community garden plots. Her genealogy research found a direct line back to the Mayflower and to one of the Salem witches. She enjoyed attending one "reunion of cousins" who were all descendants of the same Mayflower family.
In 2010, her husband passed away, but Vera continued to enjoy life volunteering at the library and supporting Children's hospital until her declining health forced her to move to an assistant living/skilled nursing facility in Louisville, CO. She remained there until her death, still reading her books, listening to the live music at her nursing facility, and beating everyone at group crossword puzzles. She remained bright and engaged until the very end.
Vera's 2 daughters, grandson and their spouses all live nearby, making it easy to visit her at her new home.
Vera will be remembered by her family, friends and neighbors as a special lady who always had a smile. She will be missed by the many that loved her. A private graveside service will be held at a later time.
One of her fond memories of her college years was playing football. Because it was the early 1940's during WWII, there weren't enough men to field a team, but the school still wanted to have a Homecoming celebration so they asked for women volunteers. Mom was quick to sign up as a linebacker and selected the nickname 'Hank'. She already knew the game, having played it growing up with her brothers. On the appointed day, the Dainty Dodgers and Battling Beauties met on the field. Vera was proud to say that 'no runs came through me'! And her team won 13 to 0.
She met her husband in college while doing some tutoring. After marrying in 1948, they enjoyed many years of happiness together, first teaching together in a small country school in a town that no longer exists. They were the only two teachers - Vera teaching elementary grades and her husband teaching the upper grades. They returned every summer to college for nine years to finish their degrees. Eventually they moved to Colorado, and Vera continued her teaching career as a third grade teacher for another 20 years. After helping her husband obtain his two masters degrees, Vera continued her own education during the summers and weekends to earn her Master Degree in Education while working full time and raising her family. She received the honor of Teacher of the Year toward the end of her career.
Over the years, she enjoyed exploring the United States with their 2 daughters and husband. The family camped and fished all over the western United States. They spent part of every summer in Yellowstone Park.
In 1994, both had retired, and for the first 5 years they spent their winters in Arizona, and the rest of the time in either their home in Denver or at their summer home in the mountains.
By 1999, Vera and her husband had sold their Arizona and mountain homes, and moved to full-time living in a retirement community in Denver where she shared her love of books by volunteering as part of the community library staff, eventually moving into the role of head librarian.
In addition to reading, doing daily crossword puzzles and working on family genealogy, Vera also enjoyed line dancing and walks along the Highline Canal. One of her hobbies was making beautiful stone 'gem' trees that she sold to various craft outlets and friends. When her oldest daughter and husband moved to the same retirement community, she had fun gardening with them in one of the community garden plots. Her genealogy research found a direct line back to the Mayflower and to one of the Salem witches. She enjoyed attending one "reunion of cousins" who were all descendants of the same Mayflower family.
In 2010, her husband passed away, but Vera continued to enjoy life volunteering at the library and supporting Children's hospital until her declining health forced her to move to an assistant living/skilled nursing facility in Louisville, CO. She remained there until her death, still reading her books, listening to the live music at her nursing facility, and beating everyone at group crossword puzzles. She remained bright and engaged until the very end.
Vera's 2 daughters, grandson and their spouses all live nearby, making it easy to visit her at her new home.
Vera will be remembered by her family, friends and neighbors as a special lady who always had a smile. She will be missed by the many that loved her. A private graveside service will be held at a later time.
Vera Sutphin passed at age 94. She was born and raised on a farm until attending college to obtain her teaching certificate. The farm supported the family through the years of the Great Depression. When Vera went to college to obtain her teacher certificate, she lived in housing for the first time that had running water and electricity. The farm didn't have electricity until in the 1940's when a new barn needed to be built and power tools were needed. Vera was active in 4H and sewing, and competed in sewing competitions. She later designed and sewed her daughter's wedding dress.
One of her fond memories of her college years was playing football. Because it was the early 1940's during WWII, there weren't enough men to field a team, but the school still wanted to have a Homecoming celebration so they asked for women volunteers. Mom was quick to sign up as a linebacker and selected the nickname 'Hank'. She already knew the game, having played it growing up with her brothers. On the appointed day, the Dainty Dodgers and Battling Beauties met on the field. Vera was proud to say that 'no runs came through me'! And her team won 13 to 0.
She met her husband in college while doing some tutoring. After marrying in 1948, they enjoyed many years of happiness together, first teaching together in a small country school in a town that no longer exists. They were the only two teachers - Vera teaching elementary grades and her husband teaching the upper grades. They returned every summer to college for nine years to finish their degrees. Eventually they moved to Colorado, and Vera continued her teaching career as a third grade teacher for another 20 years. After helping her husband obtain his two masters degrees, Vera continued her own education during the summers and weekends to earn her Master Degree in Education while working full time and raising her family. She received the honor of Teacher of the Year toward the end of her career.
Over the years, she enjoyed exploring the United States with their 2 daughters and husband. The family camped and fished all over the western United States. They spent part of every summer in Yellowstone Park.
In 1994, both had retired, and for the first 5 years they spent their winters in Arizona, and the rest of the time in either their home in Denver or at their summer home in the mountains.
By 1999, Vera and her husband had sold their Arizona and mountain homes, and moved to full-time living in a retirement community in Denver where she shared her love of books by volunteering as part of the community library staff, eventually moving into the role of head librarian.
In addition to reading, doing daily crossword puzzles and working on family genealogy, Vera also enjoyed line dancing and walks along the Highline Canal. One of her hobbies was making beautiful stone 'gem' trees that she sold to various craft outlets and friends. When her oldest daughter and husband moved to the same retirement community, she had fun gardening with them in one of the community garden plots. Her genealogy research found a direct line back to the Mayflower and to one of the Salem witches. She enjoyed attending one "reunion of cousins" who were all descendants of the same Mayflower family.
In 2010, her husband passed away, but Vera continued to enjoy life volunteering at the library and supporting Children's hospital until her declining health forced her to move to an assistant living/skilled nursing facility in Louisville, CO. She remained there until her death, still reading her books, listening to the live music at her nursing facility, and beating everyone at group crossword puzzles. She remained bright and engaged until the very end.
Vera's 2 daughters, grandson and their spouses all live nearby, making it easy to visit her at her new home.
Vera will be remembered by her family, friends and neighbors as a special lady who always had a smile. She will be missed by the many that loved her. A private graveside service will be held at a later time.
One of her fond memories of her college years was playing football. Because it was the early 1940's during WWII, there weren't enough men to field a team, but the school still wanted to have a Homecoming celebration so they asked for women volunteers. Mom was quick to sign up as a linebacker and selected the nickname 'Hank'. She already knew the game, having played it growing up with her brothers. On the appointed day, the Dainty Dodgers and Battling Beauties met on the field. Vera was proud to say that 'no runs came through me'! And her team won 13 to 0.
She met her husband in college while doing some tutoring. After marrying in 1948, they enjoyed many years of happiness together, first teaching together in a small country school in a town that no longer exists. They were the only two teachers - Vera teaching elementary grades and her husband teaching the upper grades. They returned every summer to college for nine years to finish their degrees. Eventually they moved to Colorado, and Vera continued her teaching career as a third grade teacher for another 20 years. After helping her husband obtain his two masters degrees, Vera continued her own education during the summers and weekends to earn her Master Degree in Education while working full time and raising her family. She received the honor of Teacher of the Year toward the end of her career.
Over the years, she enjoyed exploring the United States with their 2 daughters and husband. The family camped and fished all over the western United States. They spent part of every summer in Yellowstone Park.
In 1994, both had retired, and for the first 5 years they spent their winters in Arizona, and the rest of the time in either their home in Denver or at their summer home in the mountains.
By 1999, Vera and her husband had sold their Arizona and mountain homes, and moved to full-time living in a retirement community in Denver where she shared her love of books by volunteering as part of the community library staff, eventually moving into the role of head librarian.
In addition to reading, doing daily crossword puzzles and working on family genealogy, Vera also enjoyed line dancing and walks along the Highline Canal. One of her hobbies was making beautiful stone 'gem' trees that she sold to various craft outlets and friends. When her oldest daughter and husband moved to the same retirement community, she had fun gardening with them in one of the community garden plots. Her genealogy research found a direct line back to the Mayflower and to one of the Salem witches. She enjoyed attending one "reunion of cousins" who were all descendants of the same Mayflower family.
In 2010, her husband passed away, but Vera continued to enjoy life volunteering at the library and supporting Children's hospital until her declining health forced her to move to an assistant living/skilled nursing facility in Louisville, CO. She remained there until her death, still reading her books, listening to the live music at her nursing facility, and beating everyone at group crossword puzzles. She remained bright and engaged until the very end.
Vera's 2 daughters, grandson and their spouses all live nearby, making it easy to visit her at her new home.
Vera will be remembered by her family, friends and neighbors as a special lady who always had a smile. She will be missed by the many that loved her. A private graveside service will be held at a later time.
Gravesite Details
Interred: Jul 6, 2020
Thank you DJCTLC 47236215 for her maiden name.
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