Delores M. Schaffer

September 7, 1933 – June 16, 2014

Delores was born on September 7, 1933, to Ed and Thelma (Nunemaker) Foos. She was an only child and lived with her parents on a farm in the outlying wheat country near Bison, KS. She was born during and survived the historic dust bowl era. She attended a two-room elementary school and then graduated from Bison High School. Her graduating class consisted of eight students.

She enjoyed recounting her childhood experiences and the ways of life—her mom wetting lace draperies to hang over her crib to keep the dust out, no plumbing, no electricity, a wood stove for cooking and heating, bathing in a metal tub (of course her being the last), gardening, raising animals, butchering and canning, her mother making clothes from feed sacks, simple pleasures of hand-made toys, Saturday afternoons and evenings in the big town of La Crosse, traveling from township to township for dances or for shuffleboard tournaments, and many other memories.

Delores married Eddie Schaffer for the first time in 1952 and they had a son, Terry Lee. She worked as a waitress and then found a better job as a clerk in the county courthouse in La Crosse. In 1956 the family relocated to Denver, Colorado.

Delores and Eddie divorced. She forged ahead, working diligently as a single mom, doing whatever was necessary to make ends meet. It was during these trying times, that the life-long, unwavering loyalty, devotion, and love between mother and son was cemented.

In 1959 Delores married her second husband, Herb Irvin. Two daughters were born to them, Anise Marie in 1959, and Shelly Dee in 1961. As an infant, less than four months old, Shelly passed away from heart complications. In 1963, Herb also died.

Delores was strong, independent, and determined. In 1960 she began her long, successful career with the State of Colorado. She became the first female computer programmer for the Department of Labor and Unemployment—and eventually became the person to write the first computer program to generate unemployment checks for the residents of Colorado. Retiring at the age of 58 after 32 years of service was quite an accomplishment.

In 1964, Delores remarried her first and truest love, Eddie. Their family home was in Arvada where she lived for the next 46 years. As with most of their generation, they worked hard to own their own home, drive nice cars, and save that oh so important nest egg. They did quite a bit of traveling and enjoyed multiple cruises throughout the world. At home, they liked to honky-tonk and were wonderful dancers—same as in their youth. Eddie died unexpectedly in 2006 from a fall at home.

Her true pride and joy were her grandchildren, Casey Lee and Lori Marie. Delores played an integral part in helping raise her grandkids who lived only six blocks from her. As youngsters, they came home from school to grandma's house every day after school. Due to their parents' jobs, the grandchildren spent a couple of nights every week with their grandparents. So there was dinner time again, homework time again, and bath time again. Truly, "Grandma" has a most special place in their hearts as well—just ask them. Delores was the matriarch of her family all of these many years.

Then, in 2010 along came her great-granddaughter Payton Leigh. Two months ago, Delores became a great-grandmother for the second time to Teagan Anne. It was a blessing that she was able to meet the newest addition to her family.

Prior to her physical limitations and moving from her long-time home, Delores loved gardening and flowers—especially her beautiful roses. Her yard was always the most immaculate of the neighborhood. She and Eddie were avid bowlers. She enjoyed crocheting—and you knew you were truly loved when you received one of her most lovely afghans. Later in life, ceramics also became one of her passions. Delores was always to be seen driving around her community. Not many days went without a visit to the local grocery store or running other errands.

Delores was an incredibly intelligent woman and was very savvy at any game that required some thinking-- card games, dominoes, crossword puzzles, Scrabble. She also enjoyed reading.

Early in 2010, after her first of many bouts with vertebral fractures and her worsening COPD, Delores made a very important and critical decision for herself. She left her home of 46 years, four of which she had lived by herself, and moved into assisted living.

She thrived in this atmosphere and was rewarded with many friendships. She was the facility's social butterfly, happy and cordial, and invited by the administration to be the welcoming committee for new residents. A marketing video was taken of her strolling the beautiful gardens—as was her daily routine. It became difficult for family and friends to ever "catch her" in her apartment—as she was always on the move.

One summer, her picture appeared in the monthly newspaper showing off one of her prized cucumbers that she had grown in her private garden. Her new pass time and "money earning" venture became Bingo. All of her daily winnings added up over the months, then years, and her great-granddaughter Payton's savings account continued to grow.

During Broncos season, she entered every family member into her local football pool. There was always lots of anticipation and cheering going on. She was the pioneer at her facility for wearing Broncos gear every game day. Soon many of the other residents, women in particular, followed her lead in wearing the orange and blue.

The many workers at her assisted living "loved" Delores and described her as "such a sweet and nice lady." Funny and ornery were adjectives used as well—and let's not forget opinionated. Every one of her grocery trips included buying fruit, candy, and gum that she always shared with the aides to show her appreciation for their care and devotion. Many staff members, friends, and family were recipients of a special hand-made gift over the years. Two months ago, when Delores had to move from assisted living, tears were shed by many.

Especially following the death of her husband, her relationship with her daughter, Anise, grew beyond that of loving mother and daughter and a heartfelt friendship was found. Many a story, memory, or feelings--both good and not so good--were shared. Both women benefitted much from the other.

Her relationship with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, was loving and unwavering. These two women relied upon one another in many ways over the past 40 years. Her relationship with her son-in-law, Dan, was also undeniably strong--full of humor, caring, and love.

Just over two years ago, her beloved son, Terry, passed away. Delores had played a tremendous role in helping to care for him during his prolonged illness.

At the end of her life Delores was as strong, independent, and determined as she was in the beginning. Being a child of the Great Depression, Delores knew the value of a dollar and worked hard all her life. She was careful and wise with her earnings and investments. Her many accomplishments and contributions were astounding—especially because everything she did or had was solely due to her own efforts.

Her continual determination to live the best life possible, many times in spite of seemingly insurmountable challenges and losses, made Delores a most inspiring woman.

She was preceded in death by her baby daughter, Shelly; her son, Terry; her husbands, Eddie Schaffer and Herb Irvin; her parents Ed and Thelma (Nunemaker) Foos; her in-laws; Jacob and Josephine (Shupman) Schaffer; her sister-in-law, Clydai (Schaffer) Flamik and brother-in-law, Frank.

Delores' survivors are her daughter, Anise (Irvin) Herod, and son-in-law, Dan; her daughter-in-law, Ruth; her granddaughter, Lori; her grandson, Casey, and his wife, Jenice; and her two great-granddaughters, Payton and Teagan.