Donna Sue Ward

Donna Sue (Denny) Ward, 90, passed away peacefully Monday, October 13, 2025, in Fort Collins, CO.

Donna was born in Puxico, MO, March 18, 1935, the youngest child of Herman Hale and Artie Denny. At age 3, the family moved from Puxico to Pueblo CO. Donna grew up there and was a happy and popular young lady, making many friends at school. She was active in her church youth group, and attended Centennial High School where, among other activities, she joined the Rifle Club and remembered being able to twirl a rifle! She was also prom queen and broke many hearts when she left Pueblo for nursing school at DU/St. Luke's Hospital. It was while she was at school that she accepted a blind date from a student at CSU and, as they say, the rest is history! She and Bill Ward completed their degrees and were married in June of 1957.

After a short stint as a nurse, she and Bill started their family. They moved from Colorado Springs to Midway Ranch and she embraced the life of a rancher's wife and mom to four kids, several dogs, some horses, an occasional rabbit, a few chickens, and a herd of cattle. Her nursing training proved valuable with the kids in the country! Eventually, the family would leave the ranch and move to Fort Collins. Donna returned to the medical field, but as a receptionist at The Family Clinic. She also owned the Blue Spruce Hallmark and supported her husband who was the alumni director at CSU. She loved being in the garden and could occasionally be found on the golf course. However, you could always find her in the stands cheering on CSU, first and foremost. She was a diehard Colorado sports fan - Broncos, Nuggets (she loved Joker!), Avs, even the Rockies. They loved traveling to see the Rams play in bowl games (and they did play in some!). If they weren't traveling to watch CSU, they traveled for fun – Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Alaska, Las Vegas, San Diego, Charleston – all were favorite vacations (with or without kids!). They had two epic adventures: Russia with CSU alumni, and a month-long trip to Brazil, to visit her sister and family. It was their favorite travel memory, getting to spend time with Bonnie and Uriel and their children and families, and being treated to the sights and sounds of Sao Paulo and beyond.

Her greatest joy was as a mom to her four children: Bill, Bonnie, Scott, and Kevin. Their activities would be an endless source of happiness (and chaos). Every sporting event, concert, or school play would find her front and center. And then…there were the holidays! Every holiday had beautiful decorations, meticulously planned and displayed. The food was never ending; if 10 were coming she cooked for 30! Everyone's favorite dish was included, sometimes twice! (Think mashed potatoes, twice baked potatoes; three kinds of stuffing; at least two turkeys, or a roast, or both; pies, cakes, you name it, all homemade.) These were the things that brought her the most happiness. When her grandkids came along, they were treated to all the joys Grammy could offer. To drive across the state for a birthday party, football game, soccer match, science fair, three-minute dance recital, or tuba solo, was never an imposition. She loved every minute.

Donna is survived by her beloved sister, Bonnie and husband, Uriel, of Sao Paulo, Brazil; her children Bill (Lisa) of Trinidad, CO; Bonnie (Jeff) Benham of Fort Collins, CO; Scott of Las Vegas, NV; and Kevin, of Fort Collins. Also surviving are her favorite grandchildren: Ben, Jacob, Andy, Zoey, Tyler, Tommy, and Matt; and several much-loved nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, her brother Corky, her loving husband of 66 years, Bill, and her favorite dog, Sammy.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Lemay Ave Health and Rehab for their care and kindness during her time there. She also had a companion, Gabriella, whose friendship and compassion are deeply appreciated. Pathways Hospice nurses kept her comfortable in her final days, and we are grateful for this. We will miss her constant smile and cheerful optimism…but know she is looking down and cheering us on from above.

If you would like to donate to Pathways Hospice, 350 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525, in lieu of flowers, this is greatly appreciated.

A celebration of Donna's life will be held 3pm, Sunday, November 9, 2025 at Bohlender Funeral Chapel.