Born in Denver, CO to Glen and Alice Miles, Glendene Helen Miles grew up in Denver, eventually attending South High School and the University of Colorado. It was while at CU that she met the love of her life, Herb Fightmaster. They were married on October 2, 1949.
Glendene helped with payroll at FHF Masonry, the business owned by Herb and his brother, Lynn Fightmaster. Glendene and Herb lived most of their married life in Wheat Ridge, CO next to Herb’s parents and brother on what became known as the Fightmaster Compound surrounded by beautiful lilacs. Purple was Glendene’s favorite color.
She loved being a mother and enjoyed her time as a teacher aide at her children’s school, Fruitdale Elementary, just down the street from their home. She raised her kids in a loving environment and was known to have a good sense of humor sometimes when getting a point through to her family such as the infamous family story of Glendene sending a “rock sandwich” in Herb’s lunch pail one day.
Glendene loved watching sports on TV, particularly the Colorado Rockies and golf. She found a new hobby with coloring books during her years at Mountain Vista and had stacks of the beautifully completed books by her side.
But most important in her life was her love for Jesus and the Bible scriptures of which she knew many by heart. This legacy was passed first to her children and now grandchildren. In her final days, in spite of her memory loss, she found great peace in prayer and reading of scripture to her. She also was able to still recite her favorites.
Herb and Glendene enjoyed 62 years of marriage before Herb’s death in May, 2011.
Glendene is survived by two sons, Bruce (Cindy), and Mark (Sharon), daughter Colleen Stueven (Gary), ten grandchildren: Chris (fiancé, Jill Kreger), Mathew, and Jennifer Fightmaster, Michele Wilson (Courtney), Melissa Summers (Adam), Morgan Wise (Kellen), Andy Stueven (Kate), David Stueven (Brit), and Tim Stueven (Adrienne) as well as 17 great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by Herb, her sister, Ruth Knox, and granddaughter, Jessica Smith. Glendene lived in the home where they raised their children in Wheat Ridge until Herb’s death.
She was a woman of strong love and devotion for her family along with great faith and led by example as the matriarch of the Fightmaster family for which we are all grateful.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 9th, at 3:00 p.m., Crown Hill Cemetery. Guests will meet at Stage Area B.
The family will gather on Saturday for a Celebration of Life for Glendene.
Memorial donations may be made to Hope House Colorado, 6475 Benton St., Bldg. A, Arvada, CO 80003 (or online via the Hope House website), a self-sufficiency program for teen moms that also provides “hope for the present, plans for the future, a promise for eternity.”
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