Gale I. Reichert

GALE Ione REICHERT 1944-2014 Our beloved Gale Reichert passed away in the early morning on Friday, June 6, walking boldly into the arms of God, surrounded by the love of family. Gale's life ended peacefully at 70 years after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Gale was born on March, 19, 1944 in Melrose Park, Illinois to Dean and Ione Sharrott. As a young child her family moved to Loveland, Colorado where her dad entered the car dealership and RV business. Gale spent her childhood and teenage years in Loveland and even as a young girl she developed a strong sense of self-reliance—working at A&W during high school at a time where many young women weren't expected to earn their own money. Gale graduated from Loveland High School in 1962, and after dating during high school, she married Scott Ragsdale in 1963. They relocated to northern California where Gale worked at Sylvania as an Administrative Assistant. A year later at age 20, she had her first son Michael, but continued to work part time while being a housewife and mother. Her son Jeffrey was born four years later after moving to Los Angeles. From Los Angeles they returned to Colorado and Gale began work in the marketing field for United Bank, where she would work until the mid-1980's. Gale and Scott were divorced in the late 1970's and Gale continued her spirit of self-reliance in raising her boys, advancing her career and purchasing her own home, still rather uncommon for women to do in those years. Gale met Don Reichert at a local watering hole on Halloween night while both were out with friends. After two years of dating, they were married in Ft. Collins and became a blended family—Gale, Mike and Jeff joining Don and his two daughters, Dana and Cherie. During this time Gale advanced in her career, eventually leaving United Bank and joining First Interstate Bank. In 1990 she left banking and began what would be a life-long commitment to working in family and social services fields by becoming a Development Associate at Lutheran Family Services. In 1992, Gale and Don began a new adventure by moving to Washington, DC and Gale served as Marketing and Development Director for the Northern Virginia Family Services. While in DC, Gale and Don began their outdoor exploration adventures by traveling to new places and using photography to capture their journeys—an activity they would continue together throughout their near 30 years of marriage. After returning to Fort Collins in 1995, Gale continued her passion for service as the Development Director for Namaqua Center in Loveland that works with young, abused children, and later in the same role for B.A.S.E Camp in Fort Collins. She served on numerous boards for organizations ranging from battered women's shelters, abused children, working women and local Chamber of Commerce. Gale retired in 2005, and she and Don spent time traveling and exploring, devoting their full attention to growing a photography business that captures the beauty of nature that Gale loved so much. Gale was an expert gardener—always maintaining a variety of unique and vibrant flowers, enviable by all. She developed an expertise for growing orchids—many of which she collected during her travels—as well as becoming a certified floral designer. Gale's passion for flowers and traveling was second only to the love she had for Don, her children and grandchildren, and the commitment to her faith. Gale's Christian faith blossomed as a member of Timberline Church. Gale exercised faith with enthusiasm, and a heart of humility. Her energetic spirit combined with big-hearted giving blessed everyone—friends, family and those she'd never met—caring more about helping others than getting credit for helping them. She had tireless passion for service, committing her time and energy to a number of efforts supporting those in need while remaining humble, thankful and without complaint. She was directly involved in Timberline's benevolence ministry and in 2006, she joined other Timberline members on a two week mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya to work in local elementary schools. In December 2013, she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and underwent immediate surgery to remove significant portions of the cancerous tumor as a strategy to prolong her life and keep the tumor from spreading. She fought her terrible disease with the same vigor, independence and grace as she used to live her life. While her earthly body was overcome, her heavenly soul was being welcomed into Glory as part of God's divine plan. The Reichert family is grateful for the incredible medical care Gale received from Dr. Ann Stroh, Dr. Joshua Petit, Dr. Lars Widdel and their staff, the staff at Medical Center of the Rockies, Pathways Hospice, and the many friends and family who faithfully served as care-givers during Gale's illness. Gale is survived by husband, Don of Ft. Collins, son, Jeffrey Ragsdale wife, Marla of Erie, Colorado; step-daughters, Dana Alfred husband, Lee of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Cherie Jurkofsky husband, Drew of Ft. Collins, and daughter-in-law, Ann Perricone of Littleton as well as seven grandchildren, Kylie, Kaitlyn and Paxton Ragsdale; Schae Black, Michael Alfred, and Morgan and Isaac Jurkofsky. Gale was preceded in death by her son, Michael Ragsdale and parents, Dean and Ione Sharrott. Viewing is Wednesday, June 11 from 5-7 at Bohlender Funeral Chapel and a service of celebration will be Thursday, June 12, 10:30 a.m. at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Road with burial at Grandview Cemetery; reception and lunch immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions are made to Timberline Church local missions, Pathway Hospice, or the Colorado State University Athletic Department in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

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Gale I. Reichert

March 19, 1944 - June 6, 2014