Donald Lewis Jarecke

Donald L. Jarecke passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023, at the age of 90. One of 3 siblings, Don was born in Fullerton, Nebraska to Leo and Julia Jarecke on May 4, 1933. Entering the United States Army in the mid-1950s and during the Korean conflict, he was stationed at Fort Carson and participated in the Army Mountain and Cold Weather Training Command at Camp Hale in Leadville, CO. While at Camp Hale, training included testing newly introduced synthetic climbing rope and three season pup tents, plus high-altitude mountain combat skills. Don developed a love of the Colorado mountains while serving in the army.

Following his discharge from the army, Don moved to Colorado in the late-50s to pursue drafting school. He met his wife Carol in a downtown Denver boarding house and the two were married in 1959. They were married for 64 years, raising a family in Colorado. 

Following drafting school, Don was employed by Stearns Rogers and Thompson Pipe and Steel for his entire working career. He initially worked as a draftsman and then sales, becoming top salesman for large scale pipe fabrication projects. Don worked on most of the power plants in the west that remain operational today.

While living in Littleton, Colorado, the family spent many weekends and vacations camping and exploring Colorado and the Southwest. Don and Carol, with the help of family and friends built their mountain home in Grant, Colorado, in the early 80s. Following retirement, Don and Carol moved from Littleton to the Grant house, eventually spending winters in Arizona.

Don and Carol were very involved with the Catholic church (St. Mary’s in Littleton, CO, and St Mary of the Rockies in Baley, CO) and the Knights of Columbus. Don was twice, elected Grand Knight.

Don is survived by his wife Carol Jarecke, a sister JoAnn Emeis of Colorado Springs, Colorado, son Jeff Jarecke of Sanger TX, daughter Sue Webber (husband Gary Webber) of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, three grandchildren Hannah Barkey (husband Drew Ruff), Matthew Jarecke, and Natalie Jarecke, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be on November 16th, with a full Military burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 2:30 pm followed by a service and reception at St. Mary of the Rockies Catholic church in Bailey, Colorado at 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Intermountain Humane Society in Pine, Colorado. www.imhs.org in Don's honor and memory. 

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