Geraldine L. Flesher

Geraldine was born in Ashby, Nebraska, on April 1, 1918, the only child of Hervey C. and Joyce Hubbard. She attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. To this day, she is still a “Husker”.

Gerry married Mel Flesher on July 10, 1940. They eloped to Kansas because Mel wasn’t yet 21. It took several months before they had the courage to tell her parents. They were concerned because he was a JAZZ musician. Gerry and Mel had a son, Hervey, born October 21, 1947 and then they adopted daughter, Kristi, in November 1953.

They moved to Denver in 1946 so Mel could use his GI Bill education benefits to learn musical instrument repair. Few people know that “Madam” taught 4th grade at Baker Elementary in Adams County for two years during Mel’s apprenticeship. Not her favorite job, but she liked that better than the chicken processing plant she worked at while Mel was in the Air Force.

They started their repair business in 1951 in their house on West 38th Avenue and moved the business to 39th and Tennyson St. in 1959. 61 years later, Flesher-Hinton Music Co in still going strong.

She considered everyone who came into the store to be her friends and family. She had many nicknames there, too. Most knew her as Mrs. Flesher, but to the old timers she was Mother F’er, Mean Geraldine or just plain, Gerry. She worked there until 2002 when she lost her vision and retired at the age of 84.

During the early 1970’s Mel and Gerry were very active in the Westminster Elks Lodge #2227. They traveled all over the state of Colorado in their motor home with the Elks Camper Caravan. It was during one camping trip where she was christened “Madam”. She was coming out of a brothel museum in Cripple Creek when Lynn Williams told her she looked just like a madam. The name stuck. These were among the best times of her life. Her friends became family.

In the ‘90’s she discovered the Denver Jazz Club. Again she made many lasting friendships.

The last few months have been a time of sadness for her. She hated the loss of her independence and the subsequent dependence on others. She was a very independent person with a mind of her own. Once again, she made new friends and adopted them into her family circle. Thank you to Ted, Taryn, and Annie of People First Home Hospice for being so loving and attentive to her. Thank you to the staff at Brighton Care Center for their care and comfort.

“Madam” was preceded in death by husband, Mel and grandson Michael. She is survived by grandson Jim Flesher, granddaughter Sheryl Kysar and husband, Ed Kysar, great-grandchildren John David and Kayleen, and the last of a long line of black Labrador’s, Reginald Mac Van Rat the Third (Reggie) and Eleanor Von Rigby (Ellie) and grand bull dog, Leroy Jethro Gibbs Flesher. And the others…son Herv, daughter in law, Kay, and daughter Kristi.

It is very difficult to tell a life story in a few paragraphs. But one of the best ways to get to know the “Madam” is through music. These songs were chosen because they were a part of her life and memories.

Embraceable you was Mom and Dad’s song.

Amazing Grace is performed by Tony Gardella and his sister, Tammie Brown, two more people that she adopted into family.

This recording of It’s a Wonderful World is by her dear friend and second son, Tony Streno.

The songs played before her service are just a few of her favorites:

In the Mood Glenn Miller

Let’s Dance Benny Goodman

My Mother’s Eyes Dan Barrett

All Too Soon Mildred Bailey

You Are My Sunshine Willie Nelson and Leon Russell

Skylark Joni Janak

God Bless America Kate Smith

Stardust Joni Janak

Don’t Be That Way Benny Goodman

Moonlight Serenade Glenn Miller

The Folks Who Live on the Hill Peggy Lee

The Old Rugged Cross The Mills Brothers

Geraldine L. "Madam" Flesher, co-founder of Flesher Hinton Music passed away July 12th, 2012 at 94 years of age. A celebration of her life will be held at 12:00 PM, Tuesday at Olinger Crown Hill Chapel of Peace, 7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033.