Ilene Hogue Del Ponte, age 101, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Life Care Center of Littleton, CO on November 23, 2020.
Ilene was born on October 12, 1919 in Lincoln, Nebraska to James and Lulu Hogue. Ilene was the middle child between her sisters, Alice and Betty. They grew up in the Denver area and all three sisters lived long lives, Alice was 99 and Betty 97 when they passed.
Ilene was 7 when her father died from pneumonia. A year later, her mother married “Shorty” Merritt and they had four children, Bob, Dorothy, Willie and Darrell.
Truly a beautiful woman, Ilene met Mike on a blind date and this city girl fell in love with this country boy. They married on September 18, 1937 in Denver, CO.
Ilene and Mike lived a number of places in their early years as work opportunities took them to California, Wyoming and Colorado. They had three sons, Jim, Dick and Larry. Notable was that all three were born in different states. They settled in Colorado for good in 1943. Ilene supported Mike’s dream of owning his own business. She was a hard worker and helped Mike run Del Ponte Landscape.
Ilene was a dedicated and caring mother who drove the boys to school (sometimes as much as 20 miles a day), cooked wonderful meals and kept a truly meticulous and clean home. She was a remarkable cook and enjoyed the numerous family gatherings where she could show off those skills.
Ilene and Mike built their dream house on 40 acres in Franktown, CO with the help of family and friends. Unfortunately, the drive into town for Mike’s work became too much and they moved back to Littleton.
Ilene loved to travel and fondly remembered trips to Hawaii and Mexico. Another joy was the Sunday drives the family took.
Ilene took particular pride in watching her three sons and their families multiply and become successful.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike (1993) and sons, Dick (2001) and Larry (1995).
She is survived by her son, Jim, three grandsons, Reggie, Mike and Kelsey and seven granddaughters, Tina, Renie, Amy, Denice, Lauren, Jodi and Gina. She also is survived by 12 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.
Per her request she will be buried alongside her husband Mike in the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens where they will spend eternity together in heaven.
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