Dolores Allnutt

Reminiscing upon Dee’s life we are reminded of her talents, love and treasures that she has lived and has given to others. Dee would be too modest to write of her life which is represented by the “dash” between the year of her birth, October 14, 1930, and today, February 5, 2020.

Dee Allnutt, 89 of Greeley passed away at her home, surrounded by her family on February 5, 2020.

Dee grew up on a small farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The first four years of her education were in a one room country school, to which she and her twin sisters walked across fields, over fences, and through the woods. Life growing up on a farm in northern Michigan was difficult. Raising hay for the cows, with the milk being sold to the local cheese factory, was the source of her family’s income. The REA did not deliver electricity to their farm until after World War II, therefore Dee and her sisters milked twenty cows the old fashion – “squeeze and pull”. Milking occurred twice a day, 365 days a year. You can understand why she was eager to leave the farm and obtain further education after graduating first in her high school class. Life was not easy for the family financially, so while attending college Dee earned her board working in the dorm cafeteria. She also baby sat for only fifty cents a night.

Graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in elementary education, Dee taught one year in Grand Rapids before moving to Minneapolis where she taught fifth grade three more years. She strived for a one on one relationship with each student and by the end of the first day of each school year she knew each child’s name and seat assignment. Dee believed in quality education with plenty of homework.

It was in Minneapolis, June 1954 that Dee met Bill on a blind date. Six weeks later Bill left for his Air Force assignment in Fairbanks, Alaska. Occasional letters and telephone calls kept the two in touch, with Bill returning to Minneapolis in May two years later to continue their courtship. On June 23, 1956 they were married in Detroit and moved to Greeley. Dee continued teaching one year at Maplewood School, before becoming a fulltime mom.

A stay at home mother for Mike, Rick and Kathy, Dee allowed time for her community, various organizations, and church. She worked outside the home only at the Allnutt Family Center arranging and serving refreshments, and interrelating with the guest at receptions following funeral services. Knowing that she provided a wonderful service to families was her only compensation.

Dee was not a bystander. She was one to give of herself. She served the community on the Greeley Planning Commission, PTA, the Assistance League, and United Way. While her children were attending Greeley Central High School she co-chaired a successful fund raising effort, the proceeds being used to remodel the high school. Dee taught Sunday school for many years, also serving as the first woman moderator at First Congregational Church. She was dedicated to WTK and PEO, serving both organizations as president, each for two years.

Dee did not have hobbies but decided to take knitting lessons, making elaborate ski sweaters for the kids and Bill, and Afghans that she gave to extended family. Then as quickly as knitting began, it ceased, and she gave the needles away and began other challenges. She was skilled in painting and wallpapering the rooms of her homes.

She enjoyed Bridge and luncheon clubs for over 60 years. Sports, both observing as well as participating, were a passion. She was a black diamond skier and very competitive in tennis.

A frequent request was for Dee to prepare meals for groups and family. Many associations, friends and family were the beneficiaries of her culinary skills, for which she was widely known. Her cookbooks numbered over sixty. Her cookbooks are well worn and are held together by duct tape and staples.

If anything was important to Dee, it was her family. Her three children and nine grandchildrens’ school and sporting activities were followed closely. Her dogs, Skipper, Bud, Rusty, Boone, Buffy, Paddy and Max were her constant companions. A friend once said that when he was reincarnated he wanted to come back as Dee’s dog.

In addition to her children and grandchildren Dee and Bill hosted more than twenty foreign exchange high school students from many countries all over the world. Dee continued corresponding with them, remembering each of them on their birthdays and holidays. Dee and Bill visited many in their home countries and many of them returned to Greeley with their families to visit with Dee and Bill.

On Dee’s 80th birthday a friend wrote in a birthday card, “You brighten the lives of so many people, if we lit a birthday candle, not for every year, but for every kind word you’ve spoken, every caring deed you’ve done, every life you’ve touched, the room would be filled with a radiant glow”. And on her 85th birthday another wrote, “You are definitely the most giving person in Greeley. Your kind deeds and smiling encouragement means so much to so many people”.

Dee is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill; her children Mike (Windi), Rick (Susan) and Kathy Roche; as well as 9 grandchildren, 13 nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Philippine MacDonald; and her sisters, Elaine Giebel and Loraine Perkins; and her son-in-law, Pat Roche.

A visitation will be held from 4‑7:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, CO. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 10, 2020 at the First Congregational Church, 2101 16th Street, Greeley, with a reception to follow. Interment at Linn Grove Cemetery.