Born in Waco, Texas, on October 8, 1953, to Fred Post and Earlene Chesser, Denise spent her childhood in Waco before moving to Richardson, Texas, in her teen years.
She graduated from J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson and moved back to Waco to attend Baylor University. She earned a B.A. and master’s degrees in drama and education before working as a teacher.
Denise married Philip J. Shank in April 1976. They lived in Waco until 1988 when they moved to San Antonio, Texas.
Her beloved husband Phil passed away in 2007. Denise moved to Dallas, Texas, in 2010. When her friends Jan and Wendy Rigby moved to Estes Park, she quickly fell in love with the mountain town. Denise moved to Estes Park in 2020.
In her later years, Denise concentrated on philanthropy, sharing her monetary gifts with numerous organizations in Estes Park including Estes Park United Methodist Church (EPUMC), Crossroads Ministry, Estes Nonprofit Network, The Stanley Home Museum and Education Center, EVICS, EVCA, and the Women’s Monument Project among others.
Denise devoted her free time to playing handbells and singing in the church at EPUMC, knitting, and going off-roading with her “adopted” sons Ryan Powell, Ryan Singer, and Dillion Powell. She also loved and cherished her “adopted” granddaughter Sophie Mardock.
Her fiery red hair and her fiery personality are unforgettable. Denise will be missed by her many friends in many cities.
She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Karen Priztl and Pam Shank; her friends Jan and Wendy Rigby; and her godchildren Travis Rigby and Amanda Rigby.
Denise was a smart, funny, capable, generous, and kind person whose impact on Estes Park will be felt for years to come. She was happy to spend the “last chapter” of her life in this beautiful place.
