Peter J. Wielenga

Peter J. Wielenga, 76, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend died January 25, 2011 after being hospitalized with pneumonia while visiting family in North Carolina. Peter was the youngest child with two older brothers and a sister. As a youth, Peter played midget and American Legion baseball, and he later played guard for his high school football team. He also loved to sing, and traveled with the school choir where he would often sing solos. Peter worked throughout his youth including all four years of high school.

At age 17, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany where he served for two years on active duty. When he returned home he began taking classes at a local junior college. Shortly after starting school, he met and quickly proposed to Sylvia who he married only 3 months later. Peter transferred his college credits to Iowa State University, graduating in early 1961. While there, Peter and Sylvia celebrated the birth of their first child, Barbara. The couple then moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Besides working full time, Peter also served as a deacon in the church where they attended. While in Des Moines, they celebrated the birth of their second child, Douglas, and the youngest, Debra.

The family moved to Colorado when Peter accepted an amazing job opportunity in Colorado Springs. They moved to Denver a few years later when Peter took a promotion and new job opportunity at a Denver bank. In 1973 Peter became the first Certified Administrative Manager (C.A.M.) in Colorado. At the bank, he was later promoted to Purchasing Manager and subsequently to Bank Security Officer, to Bank Officer in charge of Administrative Services, and finally to Assistant Vice President in charge of all Administrative Services.

Peter joined the Kiwanis club and later served as the Kiwanis Foundation president. He was active in the Administrative Management Society (AMS) and was elected to serve on the AMS International Board. Peter was also active in his church where he served as an elder. When a larger bank bought out his employer, Peter took ‘early retirement’ but was later offered a position with the State of Colorado where he worked for another 11 years before retiring to spend more time with his family. Even though he was ‘retired’, he obtained his Insurance and Security Exchange License and sold insurance part time.

Peter loved spending time with his family as well as bowling, fishing, and golfing. The family enjoyed numerous trips throughout Colorado over the years, often spending several weeks in the mountains together. Those left to cherish his memories remember him as having a cheerful, generous, warm and loving heart which was always ready to help others. He showed his love in many ways, and was deeply loved in return.

He is survived by his older brother and sister, his wife, children, and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and eldest brother Raymond.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent in memory of Peter J. Wielenga to the Hospice of St. John, 1320 Everett Ct., Lakewood, CO 80215.

We would like to thank our family and friends for their love, support, thoughtfulness and prayers.

~ The Wielenga Family