Loretta Marie Shimniok

Loretta Shimniok passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, at Skyridge Hospital in Lone Tree. She was born on January 29, 1932 in Tucson, Arizona to Cornelius and Hilda Greenfield. She is survived by son Michael, daughter-in-law Amy, and granddaughter Violet as well as extended family. She graduated from Tucson High School in 1949 and completed an Art Degree from the University of Arizona in 1953 where she later obtained a Master's Degree in Education. In 1962 she married the Wisconsin-born cowboy, Melburne, who she met on a hayride with her students. 

She taught art and typing early in her 40-year career, and loved teaching English to 7th graders at Amphitheater Junior High School for over 30 years. A widely respected teacher, she went on to teach the school gifted program and mentored other educators in the Amphitheater district. In her retirement years, she tutored students in reading, and visited Washington D.C. and Yellowstone National Park with her son Michael. She and Mel visited Michael in Colorado several times. She moved to Denver in 2012 after her husband's passing.

Though she struggled against Parkinson's Disease and other ailments in her later years, she found strength in her faith and enjoyed visits from Michael, Amy, and Violet. 

Family and Friends are invited to a service to celebrate Loretta's life at Drinkwine Family Mortuary, 10:30am on Saturday, September 24. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Michael J Fox Foundation or your favorite charity, in her memory. 

 Service Information