Arlene Marie Shupe

Arlene M. Shupe, age 94, passed away peacefully in the early morning of January 9, 2025, at Advent Health Littleton Hospital, with her daughter, Janet, by her side.

Arlene was born in November 1930, in Emporia, Kansas to parents, Helen and Archie Henry.  She had one brother, Leroy, who was 10 years older than her.  

Arlene grew up in a small Swedish community, Lindsborg, Kansas.  That is where she met the love of her life, Kenneth (Kenny) while he was attending Bethany College.  They were married in September of 1949, and had been married 57 years when Kenny passed away in 2007.  

Arlene and Kenny had two daughters, Janet and Peggy.  When the girls were little, the family lived in a suburb of Kansas City, MO before moving to Englewood, CO in 1959.  Peggy passed away in 2013.

In 1960 Arlene started working as a school cafeteria cook with the Littleton Public Schools at Centennial Elementary.  She was promoted to Food Service Manager, and over the years managed the kitchens at Eugene Field Elementary, North Elementary, and she helped open a brand-new kitchen at Carl Sandburg Elementary.  She took great pride in cooking at the schools, because back then they cooked from scratch.  Baking bread, homemade soups and chili, everyone’s favorite cinnamon rolls, and homemade pizza.  She enjoyed the children and the teachers she met along the way.  After 27 years she decided to retire, and Kenny decided he would retire, too.  They got to spend the next 20 years kicking back and enjoying their new lifestyle.  They did some traveling, they enjoyed going to the casinos to play slots, and they enjoyed their family and friends.  

Arlene and Kenny really enjoyed dancing and country music.  Back in the 70’s and 80’s they followed a country western band called “The Whirlwind”.  One night they met another couple who also followed the band, and they became long-time friends.  They enjoyed eating out at restaurants, traveling, and following the band together.  

When Arlene retired, there was a group of 25 retirees from the Littleton School lunchrooms.  They met once a month for lunch at different restaurants.  She enjoyed getting to visit and see her former co-workers each month.  Over the years the number of retirees dropped each year until about three years ago when there were just 4 retirees left.  These four ladies kept in touch by frequent phone calls and by sending birthday and holiday cards to each other.  One of them passed away in September of 2024, leaving just Arlene and two other retirees.  She cherished the life-time friendship she had with them. 

Arlene’s greatest joy was her extended family.  She had 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  She never missed sending a birthday, anniversary, or holiday card to every one of them.  And she always called each of them for their birthday and would sing “Happy Birthday” over the phone.  Many family members would let the calls go to voicemail, so they could save her annual birthday calls.  One of her most memorable traits was whenever she received a gift from someone, she always sent a Thank You note!  She was always very grateful for the things she received.  

Arlene’s favorite saying was: “Whatever will be, will be”.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents, her brother, and her daughter, Peggy.

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Janet (Steve); five Grandchildren:  Stacy Ortiz (Nathan), Stella Leeka (Joe), Stephanie Andrzejewski (John), Julie Ronk (Bryan), and Chris Gray (Abbey); and ten Great-Grandchildren:  Mike, Andrew, Isabella, Christian, Ashley, Zach, Jayden, Carson, Talon, and Peyton, 3 Nieces and 3 Nephews, and several long-time friends and neighbors.

Services for Arlene will be held at 12:00 Noon on January 21, 2025, at Drinkwine Family Chapel, then a procession to Fort Logan National Cemetery for a 2:00 PM final service.  Dress for the service is casual, due to the predicted cold weather.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Arlene may be made to: The American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

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