BORN

1919

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Olinger Moore Howard Chapel

4345 West 46th Ave

Denver, Colorado

Claudene Kalkhorst Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 2, 2013.

Claudene Kalkhorst 12/24/1919-04/26/2013

The Kalkhorst family became a part of the Holy Family Parish and School in 1952. At that time the little house at 4145 Vrain St. served as a starting place for the family of 6, Dad Jack, Mom Claudene, and 4 adopted children. John starting first grade at Holy Family in 1954, Mary in 1957, Don and Ron in 1959, this service to the parish and school would bring this family a life time of friends and memories forever.

In 1955 the family moved to 4601 Raleigh St. which served as the Kalkhorst residence for 20 years. This house on the corner saw boys playing baseball, football, basketball, golf, classes building floats for the HFHS homecomings and the graduation of 4 children that the education Jack and Claudene insisted on came from the halls of Holy Family School. Claudine's service to the school and parish that started in 1953 with her joining PTA continuing on with that organization till the last of the kids graduated from High School in 1972. Claudene could be found participating in Alter & Rosary, PTA, CPTA, organizing carnivals, and den mother for cub scouts, catholic daughters, working and running the school cafeteria, and transporting kids to and from school events.

Claudene always wanted to be a business woman so in 1972 along with her sister Marianne Petersen started the "Super Seconds Store located at 130 W. 84th Ave. Denver, Co. this would become her dream that she dedicated the remaining years of her life to serving the community thru the business. In 2007 due to the start of ill health at the age of 87 the business she loved closed. She always would say that "I want to go around again. I want to know what I know now, and I want to go around again."

She is survived by her 4 children, John, Mary Kalkhorst- Pershing-Moses, Don and Ron, Sister Francis Lenz of Elmwood Neb. she was the grandmother of 12, and great grandmother of 26 and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Jack (1996), grandson Nathan Kalkhorst (2003), great grandchildren Rayne Kalkhorst, and Noah Gates (2009) son-in-law Jess Moses (2004). She touched many lives and she will be sadly missed by everyone.

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Not sure what to say?

November 30, 2013

Mary Moses

Dear Mom,
This Christmas will not be the same this year. I will miss telling you Happy Birthday on Dec. 24. I hope you have a nice one just the same. Love you,

May 20, 2013

Nathan Kalkhorst 2nd

I remember wonderful times coming over to Great Grandma Kalkhorst house spending the weekend with Papa Ron and Grandma Kalkhorst. Grandma always loved going for rides in her car and eating out. The most important part in grandma eating out, she loved her glass of wine with her dinner. Grandma loved guest who would meet us at the restaurant for dinner or lunch. I would watch how papa Ron took care of grandma Kalkhorst making meals for us and putting grandma to bed. Grandma would tell Papa Ron "God bless you.” I am so lucky to have you! Great grandma Kalkhorst we were so lucky to have you. Love you always!

May 8, 2013

Mary Pershing- Moses Daughter

Mom,
I will always be grateful for the strength you have given me to survive. Even when my life was in at its lowest I could reach out and you would tell me to " pick your battles wisely", I have and I did with courage and grace. Always with your thoughts there. You are at peace now resting with Dad, Nathan, Noah, and Jess. Have fun riding the motorcycle with Jess. Love you all.

May 8, 2013

Children of Claudene Kalkhorst

We would like to thank all the family and friends for all the memories of Grandma.
Children: John Kalkhorst, Mary Kalkhorst Pershing-Moses, Don Kalkhorst, Ron Kalkhorst
Grandkids:
Aimee Kalkhorst-Brown,Brion Kalkhorst,Leslie Kalkhorst-Bonnell,Heidi Kalkhorst
Heather Pershing-Gates,Jeb Pershing,Katie Pershing-Jungclaus
Sean Kalkhorst,Josh Kalkhorst,Nikki Kalkhorst-Lundenberg,Tiffany Kalkhorst
Nathan Kalkhorst (2003)
Gread Grandkids:
Ryne Brown (1997),Max Brown,Maggie Brown,Ellie Brown
Olivia Kalkhorst,Sophia Kalkhorst,Ben Kalkhorst
Lia Bonnell,Lane Bonnell
Finnley Kalkhorst,Emma Kalkhorst
Evan, Ryan, Noah (2009) Sara Gates
Jack Pershing
Jessica Jungclaus
Dillon, Autumn,Brooklyn Kalkhorst
Alex,Caden, Jack, Sophia,Kalkhorst
Nathan Kalkhorst Jr.

May 8, 2013

Brion Kalkhorst Grandson

I remember spending the day at Grandma's store. she would put me to work and let me look through the clothes to see if there were any shorts I thought were cool. I would always stumble upon a toy and carefully ask Grandma if I could have it. She would always look at the price tag and joke about how expensive it was.
Some days I would stay overnight after spending the day with Grandma. we would walk into the house and see Grandpa cooking a homemade dinner for us. My favorite part was when Grandma opened her wine cooler because she always gave me a ship!
But most of all I remember Grandma's big heart, Throughout my life, I was constantly reminded of how special she was. My friends and friends of the family would always say "I love your Grandma" and tell me how sweet she was. I don't know anyone else who was a better role model, because of her I appreciate hard work and family values. When I look at my children I think about her raising four adopted children and what an incredible mother she was, I hope that my own children and anyone whose lives she touched will carry a piece of her heart and pass it on forever. Love you always and Miss you Grandma

May 8, 2013

Lia Bonnell Great Granddaughter

Great Grandma was a very considerate person and made the best of life in the hardest times. I remember we all would go to her house on Christmas Eve and give her a present. She was so grateful and always said "I'm a lucky old lady", even when she was in the hospital and we visited her. That was the last time I saw her.

May 8, 2013

Dave Brown Grandson inlaw

Visiting Grandma at her store for her Birthday and seeing how much she loved it and how the customers loved her.

May 8, 2013

Chad Bonnell Grandson in law

I looked forward to our annual visits to the store and her house on Christmas Eve. She always so happy to see us and made us feel loved.

May 8, 2013

Leslie-Kalkhorst Bonnell Granddaughter

My fondest memory woul have to be during a trip to Hawaii,Grandma was driving Heather,Katie,Aimee and I to some tourist destination, to us grandkids delight the song "Panama" by Van Halen came on the radio per our request she cranked it up full blast and we all proceeded to "Rock Out" in the car including Grandma!
I remember thinking "there is no other grandma in the world that would allow this!" She is truly one of a kind.

May 8, 2013

Heidi Kalkhorst Granddaughter

Was anyone else from my family on the trip when Grandma was trying to get into the van? I think we were at Barnacle Billy's and she had had one too many wine coolers and kept laughing so hard that she couldn't get herself into our van! Makes me laugh out loud every time I think about it!

May 8, 2013

Maggie Brown Great Granddaughter

We were going to her house for her birthday. She squeezed my hand and smile at me. The dad held her hand and she all of the sudden started speaking in german! I laughed and laughed. All of these joyful visits ended with "i am a lucky old lady" The last time i saw here was at the hospital when we walked to a window and ron did a wheelie with her wheelchair! When ron left we put grandma in bed. I feel the hug that was so gentle and went to the car. My grandma taught me that i too am a lucky girl

May 8, 2013

Aimee Kalkhorst- Brown Granddaughter

I remember when Grandma went with us on a trip to the east coast. She literally had a hundred questions a day about everything!! I remember at the time thinking, "Will she ever stop asking questions?" Now I realize all of those questions were a result of her wanting to experience every bit of joy, fun, love and life on that trip. I never knew anyone with so much business sense, energy and most importantly such gratitude and grace!

May 8, 2013

Tiffany Kalkhorst Granddaughter

Grandma truly did make us all feel special. There are so many memories to share. Since everyone shared about life at the shop and the restaurant "around the corner" I want to share the memory of her living here with us. She always talked about how she was a "lucky old lady" and how God blessed her with a "beautiful family" when she wasn't suppose to have one. This lucky old lady had to have a good shower in the morning and a cup of coffee. She had to have her purse and her wallet close by along with her "checkbook and ID" even though she never used them at night she wanted to be dressed in her night gown and have good 'ol wine cooler before she headed to bed. As she strolled down the hallway she would say "lucky me, lucky me, lucky me," tell us she loved us and then head to bed. She would be asleep for ten minutes before she'd get up and say "yooo whoo" what's all that damn noise! Lol. I will never forget her time with us here. Lastly, I will never forget her words in the hospital when she was tired and went to close her eyes...she looked at Nikki, mom, dad and I and said "goodnight, I love you, and I'll be dreaming a dream of you!"...With that said goodnight Grandma, we love you and we'll be dreaming a dream of you!

May 8, 2013

Heather Pershing Gates Granddaughter

She taught me how to count back change. I was 'helping' her in the shop, and using that old antique cash register she used to have. She made count the change back to all the customers. I get what everyone is talking about, how she made you feel important. Little tasks, such as pairing up shoes, or organizing the hangers, or even sizing the clothes on the racks, she made you feel like no one had ever done it better, before YOU did the job...She would always offer me the other half of her stick of gum, too!! She was a very special lady, and anybody who had the pleasure of meeting her, felt her joy of life, and how blessed of a woman she truly was....

May 8, 2013

Katherine Pershing-Jungclaus Granddaughter

All of our visits out there ended with a trip to her shop & dinner at around the corner! We had so much fun!

May 8, 2013

Nikki Kalkhorst-Lundenberg Granddaughter

She always let us pick whatever we wanted and she always let us have it at half price
I remember eating at the Burger King up the street and I also remember she always took us to that restaurant "Around the Corner". You know the one where you would order your food over the phone. Love that place. Oh and I can't tell you how many times we went to their neighborhood for Halloween to trick-or-treat. I loved her so much and I appreciate how much I always knew I was loved.

May 8, 2013

Heidi Kalkhorst Granddaughter

My fondest memories are of visiting her at the shop, helping her do "inventory," doing some shopping, and having lunch at the Burger King up the street. Every single one of my childhood friends got to come with me at least once, and I know Nikki and Katie all went together several times! She made us feel like we were so important to her and she was so lucky to have us there.

May 8, 2013

Jeb Pershing Grandson

I remember visiting when I was 7 and she had me pair up ALL the shoes in her store, it was fun actually, it made me feel important to her and the store and taught me what a job was. I can't walk past the gum isle or smell gum and not think of her.

May 5, 2013

Aunt Claudene, I remember your no-nonsense approach to life and the extraordinary commonsense that you possessed. That rebel spirit that showed up early in your life, served you well throughout. The challenges you faced began when a pillow fell on your face as a baby during a train ride, but never deterred you. You opened your heart and home to 4 children, not your own, but many of us felt that we were accepted as readily as they were. The "farm Kids" looked forward to your family visits and I can easily conjure you up in the kitchen with a cigarette in one hand, coffee in the other and your laughter filling our house. Rest in peace, beautiful lady! And give Uncle Jack a hug.

Velda (Lenz) Ferguson, niece

May 5, 2013

Judy Larson-Mitchell

Claudene had a fierce bright spirit that lit up any room she was in. She was unafraid of life and took on challenges willingly. I have always admired her and always will. I am happy to have known her and hope that her family will always be protected by her great love of life and her strong will. Love to Aunt Claudene and all my extended Petersen Family.

May 4, 2013

Claudene: As I have told you in person, you were always an inspiration to me. Becoming your own businesswoman at 65, inspired me to believe that I could do that too, no matter the age. Now I am 72 and have two jobs all because, you lived life to the fullest and inspired others, especially women, to do that too.

Your Niece, Lora Robinson (Sauk Rapids, MN)

May 4, 2013

Ron Kalkhorst

I love you mom you will be deeply missed! As I have taken care you...thank you for taken care of me, and for adopting your four children: Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. “And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Mom until we meet again!

Love you always

Ron

Posted by Ron Kalkhorst

May 2, 2013

Jarryl larson

In memory of Aunt Claudene I am giving a gift to Save the Children Federation to help save the 80,000 displaced children by the Sichuan, China earthquake. I do this because I believe Claudene would do the same. These children are survivors, but they have lost their families. I hope this gift brings the children a sense of the love Claudene had for her children and so many others in her life.

I am unable to fly in from Maine to be with the family, but I am with you in spirit and know what it is to lose a mother who has been in your life for so long.

Jarryl Larson, daughter of Claudene's sister Ann Larson

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