Erna Lee Pinney

Erna Lee was born February 25, 1936, to John and Laura Atchley in the small potato farming community of Ashton, Idaho. She was the youngest of fourteen children, eleven of whom were alive when she was born. She was born an aunt as several of her siblings were already married with children of their own. She grew up in a small house in town along with her parents, her teenage sister Willa, and brother Eddie who was a few years older than her.

Her older sisters’ Elsie and Ila, who were married with families and lived on potato farms nearby, were like additional mothers to her. She spent a lot of time at Ila’s during the summer to make some extra money doing household chores and later on Ila and Elsie lovingly made her wedding gown. They all called her sis and made sure that even though their parents were not well off, little sis never went without a new dress or shoes to wear for school. There were trials and tribulations, but the love was abundantly shown within the family in that little small house.

Her best friend Julia, a year and half younger, was the daughter of her sister Elsie, so that technically meant Julia was her niece, but the girls never saw it that way. They considered themselves “sister-friends” and they had many adventures growing up together, which continued throughout their entire lives. One of their favorite past times as kids was swimming in the ole swimming hole in Warm River.

There were two rivaling high schools; South and North Fremont where Erna met her prince charming Jack Pinney. Her momma Laura absolutely adored him and told Erna “do not dare let him go” and she didn’t. They were married right after she graduated high school in a white chapel in Ashton, ID on August 31st 1956, and were married for 66 years.

In the early years they did quite a lot of moving around, towing their single wide trailer behind them. Erna and her Jack found themselves settling in Chicago, IL and then St. Paul, MN. Five years later they had a baby girl, Kelly Lynn who was born July 21, 1961, in St. Paul, MN. About a year after Kelly’s birth Erna went to beauty school and she was always very proud that she graduated in the top half of her class. Doing hair was her passion her entire life. She worked at Bear Valley Beauty salon in Denver for many years, she then managed and did hair at several different assisted living facilities in Castle Rock, CO. She cared deeply for the women and men that she provided services for and always said that she felt it was her calling.

Erna along with her little family finally took roots in Colorado about 1965 where they eventually built their dream home in Douglas County and resided there for about 25 years. She was so proud of her beautiful home and was quite talented at decorating it. They did a lot of traveling together to many destinations to include South America and parts of Europe. They also loved to go boating at Pueblo Reservoir on their boat they named “Fore Play”, where Lee learned to be quite the accomplished first mate of their vessel. The two of them along with their little malteses Hercules, Shanda and Tinker Bell, that they had throughout the years truly lived, loved and enjoyed life.

After a bad car accident Jack wanted Lee’s drive to be closer to her employment and that is when they settled in Castle Rock, CO in 1995 where they remained for the next, nearly 30 years. Over the years they hosted countless family holidays and get togethers and enjoyed all their grands and great grandchildren. Erna Lee was a fun grandma and even a little mischievous, allowing her grandchildren when they were little of course, to bounce on the bed as she counted down before they collapsed in laughter.

Erna Lee, my mom, was beautiful inside and out. She was kind and giving; she always was there whenever I needed her, she was my champion and advocated for me when needed. She was lively and vivacious, full of life and love. Oh and her laugh was priceless, I always knew when she was in the vicinity.

Mom also had an amazing sense of style. As her great niece Ashley Hawkes so eloquently stated “Aunt Erna Lee would undoubtedly shine with her stunning outfits, chic hairstyles, and exquisite jewelry. Her makeup would be impeccable, finished with her signature pink lipstick.”

My Dad, who absolutely adored her would say, “Erna Lee, Queen of the Country”.

She will be remembered for who she was and how she lived her life, and we will treasure our memories of her. She loved Jesus and was not afraid to show it. She loved her husband and best friend Jack beyond words who sadly passed before her on Feb 1, 2022.

Erna “Lee” is survived by her daughter and spouse (Kelly and Robert Keyes), her three grandchildren and their spouses (Crystal and Cori White), (Zachary and Jeanette Drake), and (Logan Schaefer) and her four great grandchildren Aysia, Zacharyah, Bella and Zoey. She considered the Reiter family as part of our family and loved them dearly, (Jeanelle, Cameron, Makayla and Ella).

A Memorial and Celebration of Life to honor Erna Lee will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:00 am. The location is New Hope Presbyterian Church at 3737 New Hope Way Castle Rock, Colorado 80109. After the service for those who wish to attend a luncheon to honor Lee, it will be held at Zach and Jeanette’s home at 4497 Rapport Dr. Castle Rock, CO. 80104. Please contact Kelly by text at 719-287-6605 to rsvp.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Alzheimer's Association at https:www.alz.org

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