Rhonda Stute

Rhonda Stute, 61, of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away on Tuesday October 3rd, 2017. After years of pain and struggle with many health issues she passed peacefully, surrounded by her family. Rhonda was born in Wray, Colorado to John and Leona (Wiltfang) Stute. Rhonda grew up in Nebraska and northern Colorado. She was the first class to attend Blevins Junior High. Rhonda attended Poudre High School for two years where she was very involved with band, choir and theater. She was transferred to Rocky Mountain High School her senior year and was a member of it’s first graduating class in 1974. She then attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Through her high school and college years she was able to travel abroad in Europe as well as attend school in Italy for a year. Rhonda would carry a strong love of travel and language throughout her life. She was bilingual, fluent in Spanish, the language of her heart. She could also speak some German, Italian and Russian. She worked over the next years in many places, most notably for her family’s construction company, Stute Construction. In 1990 she moved to Mexico and would meet Joel Hernandez. Their daughter Annie was born in 1992. Annie was born missing a portion of her left arm. Caring for a child with a disability led Rhonda into what would become a passion in her life. She would soon begin working for both the Larimer and Weld County health departments for the Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs (HCP). Rhonda worked as a bilingual parent advocate for many years guiding families through the challenges that come with having a child with special needs. Annie accompanied Rhonda through much of this. Due to her own many health problems and disabilities Rhonda was forced to stop working, though she never stopped helping people. She may have been physically limited but was constantly helping people in any way she could. Family was the essence of her life, not only her biological family but the huge network of friends who she also considered her family. She loved to talk and could truly talk to anyone. She was so proud of her daughter and son-in-law and enjoyed seeing them everyday. Her smile, infectious laugh, and huge heart will be missed by more people than can be counted. She is survived by her daughter Annie (Alex) Cheatham, parents John and Leona (Wiltfang) Stute, three sisters Rebecca (Dave) Jivan, Regina (Doug Fritchel) Whitney, Relissa Stute, two nieces Sarah (Joe Cruz) Ludwig, Madison Stute, three nephews Joseph Peralta, Nicholas Peralta, Sam Whitney, aunts, uncles and many cousins. She was preceded in death by grandparents Simon and Anna (Harman) Wiltfang, Frank and Hazel (Trout) Stute, uncles, aunts and cousins. Memorial service will be held Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Meadowlark Church of Christ, 2910 Meadowlark. Rhonda loved friends and family to gather so all are welcome. A finger food reception will follow the service. Rhonda’s favorite verses states “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice..”. We will rejoice in knowing Rhonda is at peace and no longer in pain and is talking with all those she loved who went before her. A special thanks to the staff, especially the nurses, of Poudre Valley Hospital ICU and medical floor for the unbelievably compassionate and respectful care they provided to Rhonda in her final days.

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Rhonda Stute

August 26, 1956 - October 3, 2017