Minetta Rose Bishard

Minetta Rose Bishard (Quaratino), age 73, of Berthoud, Colorado passed into eternal light on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Leaving behind a legacy of love and dedication. Born on January 1, 1952, in Denver, Colorado.

Minetta leaves behind her loving husband, Douglas Bishard, her two children, DeAnna and Luke, their spouses Jesse and Cassandra, and seven cherished grandchildren, ranging in age from 1 to 24 years: Gabriel, Jacob, Isaac, Dinah, Ellianna, Lillian, and Stetson.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rose Guido-Quaratino; father, Joseph Quaratino; sister, Vedo Joanne Quaratino-Meder; and brother, Norman Quaratino.

Minetta was the beloved wife of her best friend, Douglas Bishard, for 53 years. Minetta met her prince charming at 15. It all started one summer’s night at Mt. Carmel's Church Bizarre and after that night, they haven’t left each other’s side since. They graduated high school in 1970 and jumped straight into marriage at the ripe young age of 19. They started their lives together by working odd jobs doing everything possible to save enough money for the down payment on their first home in Arvada at 20 years old.

Minetta went to St. Anthony School of Nursing and began her career as an LPN. She spent 5 years as a fantastic nurse, sometimes a flight nurse, sometimes a trauma nurse, and an ER nurse. She would float to all the departments, and her compassion and dedication to helping others was abundantly apparent to everyone she met. As soon as she could start a family, she decided to stay home and raise her children, as being a mother was her ultimate dream.

Minetta was known for her vibrant personality and fantastic way of being spontaneous in every aspect of her life.

She purchased a home sight unseen in Florida, went shopping for a clock and accidentally bought a brand-new Van instead. She booked vacations on a whim and would surprise Doug with cruises and adventures to Mexico and possibly all the islands in the Caribbean. She loved the element of surprise and bringing smiles to everyone’s faces with fun and crazy gifts. Her grandkids loved getting surprises from their grandma; you never knew if it was a 10 pound bag of pecans or 5 boxes of pastina. Each time the UPS driver arrived, it could be cookies or maybe a 3-pound bag of M&M’s or jerky. There was always something fun coming around the holidays and often just random times throughout the year for fun.

Not only would she surprise Doug with trips, but also baby animals. From goats, donkeys, and turkeys, to miniature Hyland Cows and emus. Minetta once adopted a baby cow that eventually grew into a 2500 lb. Holstein bull that loved chasing his momma for loads of bread and corn. Not once did Minetta get upset with the cow’s size, she only loved the chaos more.

With her, life was always an adventure and a surprise, and nobody could fill her shoes.

She brought a zest that was something others dreamed of. If all of that wasn't enough for an entire lifetime, she also spent 14 years owning a highly successful interior design company called Bishard Custom Interiors. She continued her knack for making money and making people happy, by opening “Luke’s Farm” in Evergreen, CO which operated for another 18 years. She comically named herself “Auntie M” for the kids attending the petting farm; the kids loved it. She entertained thousands of kids and families from all over Colorado at their farm. Minetta made it a priority to make sure everyone felt included and left with a smile on their face. At this time, she was also known as the original Funnel Cake lady in the Denver area. Minetta sold and served Funnel cakes at all the festivals in the Denver metro area before anybody knew what a funnel cake was in Colorado. To call Minetta a ground breaker when it comes to businesses and hobbies would be an understatement and in doing so left smiles on people faces at each business.

Over the years, she mastered a recipe for the most amazing caramel apples at the farm. If you were graced with some of her famous sweet caramel, you know how good life was with this woman who could cook anything under the sun.

Nights after a full day of work, she would whip up dinner for random surprise visitors like she had a magic wand. Out of nowhere, a full four-course meal including dessert would magically appear. Even when she was exhausted from working all day, she would never say no to someone hungry or wanting to visit.

She fed random teenagers her kids would bring home or her groups of friends who would surprisingly drop by. Yearly, Minetta would cook a massive spaghetti dinner for the entire church congregation and did it alone with no help. She was a wonder woman; those of you who know her know that the magic in her kitchen couldn’t be matched by even the best chefs.

She was extremely tenacious and an expert on ways to make money; she could turn dirt into gold and profit from it. She was welcoming to everyone she saw, never did anything small, and was a Go-Big or Go-Home type person. She was notorious for adopting people, fixing them, and trying to improve their lives. She was passionate about people who couldn’t speak for themselves and was never afraid of conflict or sharing her thoughts. She inspired everyone she met, and her grandchildren have her fierce and passionate energy for life. She passed along such a blessing in this world: to be strong and never be any less than authentic. She will forever be remembered for her spirit which lives in our hearts forever. After living such a fantastic life, her body was tired; she had given so much of herself to so many people that it was time for her soul to return home to be with our Lord. We will forever be grateful for everything you did and the world you created for us.

We love you beyond comprehension and can't wait to be with you again. Love your husband, kids, and grandchildren.

Cremation is entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Crematory of Longmont, Colorado.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Bishard family.