Shirley Reiter Curlander

Shirley Reiter Curlander, 93, of Littleton, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2018.  She was born on January 5, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland to Bernard and Gertrude (Minier) Reiter.  She attended Mount St. Agnes High School and College, and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.  On June 30, 1945 she married John Carroll Curlander of Baltimore.  They were married for 68 years and had nine children. 

In March 1968, Shirley and Carroll moved their large family from Baltimore to Littleton, Colorado.  They fell in love with the area and enjoyed drives and picnics in the mountains with the family.  They were active members of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Littleton for 42 years.  Shirley worked as a school librarian at St. Mary’s school from 1981 to 1989, and was also a member of St. Martin’s Circle.

Shirley’s life was filled every day with the events of her children and grandchildren.  She was the heart and soul of the family and enjoyed being involved in her grandchildren’s lives from birth.  When she was not busy with the children, she enjoyed reading, golfing, gardening and playing bridge. Shirley was gracious and generous. She had a knack for making everyone feel welcome and special in her home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll.  She is survived by her nine children and their spouses, 14 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren, her sister Miriam and husband Fred Frey of Baltimore, sister-in-law Betti Ann Curlander, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Children

Barbara Congdon of Minot, ND, (spouse Bill Congdon of Centennial, CO)

Jean (spouse Nathan) Chun of Wahiawa, HI

Dr. Paul (spouse Gretchen Vosseller) Curlander of Columbine Valley, CO

Dr. John (spouse Laurie Tauber) Curlander of Boulder, CO

Teresa (spouse Brad) Hunsinger of Centennial, CO

Claire (spouse Rupert) O’Neal of Denver, CO

Karen (spouse Roger) Moyers of San Diego, CA

Kathy (spouse John) Murray of San Diego, CA

James (spouse Sandra Doyle) Curlander of Bellevue, WA

Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Alexander Congdon of Crestone CO

Christina (Congdon) Carr, spouse Adam Carr and daughters Ashley, Annie and Emma of Minot ND

Jennifer (Congdon) Jerding and spouse Sam Jerding of Wheat Ridge, CO

Kelly (Chun) Nunn, spouse William Nunn and children Annica and Isaiah of San Jose CA

Nathan Chun, spouse Natasha (Kam) Chun and sons Tate, Trev and Tripp of Pearl City, HI

Dylan Curlander of Boulder, CO

Jake O’Neal and spouse Megan (McGrain) O’Neal of Los Angeles, CA

Robin O’Neal of Marina del Rey, CA

Emily O’Neal of Palo Alto CA

Jason Murray of Westchester CA

Karissa Murray of La Jolla, CA

Tracy (Moyers) Strycharski and spouse Phil Strycharski of Las Vegas, NV

Jeremy Moyers of San Diego, CA

Siena Curlander of Bellevue, WA

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 6853 S. Prince St., Littleton, CO at 10:30 am on Friday, April 13th with a 3:00 pm memorial service at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Little Sisters of the Poor Mullen Home for the Aged (website www.littlesistersofthepoordenver.org).

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