Pauline Bednar Cleveland

She was born in Boulder, Colorado to Louis and Jessie Carter Meile. She was a granddaughter to early time Boulder photographer Louis Meile. Her mother’s family lived in the mountain community of Sunshine. She spent her early years on a farm near Holyoke, CO. When in her late teens she moved to Boulder and became a nanny for the children of Earl Morris, a noted archeologist for the University of Colorado. She shared fun experiences at some of his digs in Chaco Canyon and Canyon de Chelle. This love of the Indian culture followed her for the remainder of her life.

Pauline was married to Rudy Bednar for 20 years. They resided in Boulder and Superior, CO. After Rudy’s death in 1959, she married John Cleveland. That marriage lasted 21 years and ended with John’s death in 1986.

She loved fishing and camping and spent many winters in Arizona. She also enjoyed crocheting and making afghans for her grandchildren.

Pauline is survived by her daughter, Laurel Russell, son Steve Bednar (Pennie), five grandchildren: Stephen and Chad Bednar, and Robin, Rick and Roger Russell, six great grandchildren and five great, great grandchildren, two sister; Mary Margaret Race and Betty Crandall, Brother Jim Meile (Katy) and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sisters Maxine Lanckriet, Irene Bogott, Billie Hiatt and daughter Phyllis.

Visitation will be held at 9am Monday June 19, 2012 at Crist Mortuary with a funeral service to follow at 10 am at Crist. Interment will follow at Columbia Cemetery. To send condolences to the family please go to www.cristmortuary.com.