Evelyn Minatta

Evelyn Minatta, 92, passed from this Earth to the loving arms of her husband, Albert; her brother, Anthony; and parents, Sam and Elvira, on Friday morning, April 25. Evelyn was being cared for at the time by the kind and loving staff at Columbine nursing home. She was born Dec. 16, 1915, in Carr to Elvira and Sam Aranci. Evelyn grew up on her family's dairy farm in Fort Collins doing chores with her brother Anthony before and after school and practicing the piano at night. Her father, Sam, emigrated from Italy six years before Evelyn was born. Sam shoveled coal and worked on farms before settling down and creating the families dairy farm on West Elizabeth in 1921. Evelyn's mother, Elvira, made delicious meals out of whatever was available and taught Evelyn how to sew, embroider and milk cows. Elvira was a tremendous influence on Evelyn and helped her to be the strong, independent and spunky woman she became. Being a girl did not spare Evelyn from the hard life of trying to survive on a small family farm during the difficult times of the 1920s and early 1930s. Her parents' strong work ethic helped motivate Evelyn to continue challenging herself in life when she chose to go to college after graduating from Fort Collins High School in 1934. She attended Colorado Agricultural College CSU before transferring to Greeley College to get her degree in teaching. After graduating Evelyn initially taught elementary school at various small districts in the northern Front Range area. She later moved to a teaching job in Pueblo where she met her husband, Albert Minatta, and married in 1947 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Collins. Evelyn and Al had a great life together raising their three boys, enjoying vacations, family time and finding strength in their deep faith in God. They both retired in 1974: Al after 28 years with the Pueblo Steel Mill and Evelyn after more than 30 years with the Pueblo School District. They moved to Fort Collins to take care of Evelyn's aging parents and be with their sons and Evelyn's large extended family. Evelyn and Al relied greatly on each other and were a loving and inseparable team. After 45 years together, Al's unexpected death in 1992 from a stroke was difficult for Evelyn. She continued gracefully fulfilling her life playing bridge games all over Fort Collins, doing crossword puzzles, reading novels, spending time with family and being an active participant at St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was baptized, confirmed and married. Evelyn faced many challenges the last few years as her age began to overtake her body's ability to resist. She never complained about her situation and was always the kind and gentle mother that by just being with her, we could find joy and solace. She was very proud of her contributions to the community, helping shape and nurture the lives of the young students who passed through her classrooms. She was so appreciative of the kindness and care given to her by the wonderful aides and nurses at Columbine and the loving Hospice family. She will be greatly missed by her friends, fellow teachers, bridge partners and family. She is survived by her three sons, Albert Joseph Sue, Sam Judy and John Cindy; her grandsons, Joseph, Tony, Brandon and Nathan, and her large extended family. A prayer vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Father Roger Lascelle will officiate at the services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Larimer County in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.

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Evelyn Minatta

April 25, 2008