Lorraine Alsum

Ruth Lorraine Alsum was the 7th of eleven children born to Monte and Alice at the Rosendale Farm, the historic home which still stands at the end of Titan Road in Littleton. The challenges of this large family were many which built her strong character, teaching her to live simply and to value both hard work and good clean fun. She loved spending time on the tractor with her dad, picnics down by the Platte River and floating down the Highline Canal. This devoted women left her footprint on the Rosendale family by putting countless hours into creating several fascinating photo albums documenting life on the farm and a rich family history.

She started dating Jim when she was 17. He had visited the farm often at it was a gathering place for many of the young people from the CRC churches in SE Denver. Jim also happened to be the brother of the new wife of her beloved older brother, Don. They married on November 2, 1951 and raised their three children in Southeast Denver.

Lorraine displayed her faith in Jesus in a quiet manner, consistently modeling the importance of Godly obedience, and knowing that she was saved by grace! She was humble, practical and unassuming – a no nonsense person. She never bragged, flaunted or “preached” – she lived her faith and expressed her love by simply “showing up”.

When it came to family, she was often there to help clean, paint, or move; she even picked up a hammer to help put on new roof and build a deck. If there was no job for her, she would show up with lunch. Service outside her family included her role as head cook at Calvin Camp to Long Scraggy, cooking monthly hot lunches at Denver Christian, and serving on the church ladies auxiliary. Fun times for her included jeep club outings and most anything outdoors, including snowmobiling. Her camping experience progressed from using a plastic tarp, to a tent, to a camper, to a RV, and finally to Jim and her building a cabin at Grand Lake where they spent 22 years hosting and creating amazing family memories.

Living across the street from church allowed her to be the perfect candidate for janitor, where she was a trustworthy and responsible employee for 13 years. She also served there as a Calvinette counselor where she taught many young girls to sew. Other sewing students included a special niece and even a great granddaughter. Her volunteer sewing projects included those for the Colorado Civil Air Patrol and the Aurora Fire Dept.

Grateful for having shared her life are her devout and loving husband Jim of over 73 years, daughter Barb (Gene) DeKruif of Lone Tree, Jerry (Janice) of Milliken, CO, Dan (Betty) of Castle Pines, eight grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren: Carrie Leonard (Aaron) + 1 of Milliken, Pam (Troy) Clinefelter + 9 of Aurora, Eric (Megan) DeKruif + 5 of Lakewood, Brian (Jaima) of Crested Butte, Kurt (Megan) Alsum + 5 of Broomfield, Ryan (Audra) Alsum + 3 of Lone Tree, Jeff (Alicia) Alsum + 3 of Littleton, Scott (Alondra) DeKruif of Aurora, sisters Roberta Leensvaart and Jean Tebrink, brother Ed Rosendale and 37 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and cherished siblings: brothers Don, Bob, and Vern Rosendale, and sisters Dorothy Dykstra, Mary Van Iwaarden, Evelyn Ockers and Louise Westra.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be directed to Long Scraggy Ranch or Jesus on Colfax.