Marita E. McClelland

Marita E. McClelland (nee Cremer), born May 4, 1938 in Celle, Germany, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2023 in Colorado Springs, CO. Raised during the tumultuous years of WWII, she was one of 11 children and the last to pass.

Mom met the man of her dreams as a teen and they married in 1957 in Wiesbaden, Germany. His service in the U.S. Air Force enabled them to travel, continuing to do so even after their children’s births. She was a dedicated mother and military wife, referring to herself as a “domestic engineer,” and supported her family during assignments and travels to many European countries and numerous U.S. states. In 1963 Mom became a naturalized citizen and was very proud to be U.S. citizen throughout her lifetime, regularly sporting a U.S. flag pin on her lapel. After our father’s military retirement, the family settled in Colorado Springs in the early 1970s and mom spent her remaining years here.

Our father passed in 1982 and mom continued to occasionally travel. She enjoyed good food, good music, and dancing, frequenting Dunkin Donuts to catch up with friends, the Edelweiss Restaurant for gluhwein and schnitzel, and TREA (The Retired Enlisted Association) for “boogieing” on the dance floor! When grandchildren came along, she spent many days with them at the park or the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as they became the light of her life.

Mom remained resilient as she endured the passing of her parents, siblings, husband Robert, daughter Carolyn, son Steven, and grandsons Shaun and Brandon. In recent days she acknowledged that she had lived a good life and didn’t want anyone to weep after her passing. Unfortunately, CML (chronic myelogenous leukemia) contributed to her demise at 85 ½ years, but she was witty and strong in her final days even instructing, “Don’t go overboard on flowers.”

Mom leaves behind son Robert, daughter Linda Ronas (husband Robert), and grandchildren Corey and Lauren. She also touched many friends, neighbors, and caring staff members at Brookdale Skyline and Abode Hospice.

We will honor her memory with a viewing and reception at Swan-Law Funeral home, 501 N. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 11 am to 1 pm; private burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery. Family members may be contacted at [email protected].

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the McClelland family.