Ursula Elisabeth Pansini

Ursula Elisabeth Maria Steuernagel Pansini

Ursula Elisabeth Pansini, 97, passed away on September 21, 2025 at home in Littleton, CO. She was born February 8, 1928 to parents Konrad and Luise (Kampert) Steuernagel in Frankfurt, Germany.  In her early years they moved to the seaport town of Bremerhaven, where she was raised. She was an only child of an intellectual school teacher father who was also a German officer, and a mother who suffered from asthma attacks and who had become blind when Ursula was quite young. In spite of these difficulties, her mother was resilient, self-reliant, and had a good sense of humor, attributes which Ursula learned and carried on in her own life. The family lived through WWII, including the bombing of their town which caused their apartment building to catch fire. In 1946 she met her future husband Jack when he was stationed at the American Army base in Bremerhaven. Engaged in 3 days, they married 2 years later. She moved to America with him, embracing her new country, life and language and was joyfully received with a warm hug by her Italian mother-in-law.

They soon started a family with their first son Mike, residing in Hoboken, NJ. Jack had bigger plans and they moved to Boulder, CO so he could obtain a degree in Pharmacy. Within a few years they added sons Pat, Frank, and Carl and Jack began his life long career as a Pharmacist for King Soopers. To accommodate their growing family, they purchased a newly built home in Littleton in 1958, adding son Joe and long awaited daughter Betsy, and residing there until the present time. At that time they also joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church, attending continuously until only recently. Jack and Ursula both loved cozy evenings, sitting next to a fire in their fireplace, listening to classical music with him reading and her knitting.

Ursula always wanted to be a wife, mother and homemaker, and enjoyed nothing more than the commotion of big family gatherings and preparing appetizers, meals, and desserts. She was accomplished at sewing, making clothing for the kids in earlier years, and enjoyed cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting and making various decorations. She played piano beautifully and also had a special knack with language and words, often crafting a poem at the slightest inspiration. She was able to see her poems gathered into a book as had long been her wish. She maintained her German roots and language by belonging to a group of fellow German ladies who met monthly in each other’s homes for over 40 years, enjoying food, wine and each other’s company.

Although Ursula loved the North Sea of her childhood she quickly fell in love with the mountains of Colorado. She loved just being in nature, taking in the wildflowers, birds and animals with delight and they spent many a weekend and vacation hiking and camping.

Like so many of their generation, and being far from family, she and Jack together were hard working, resilient and self-reliant. Only in recent years being forced to endure the difficulties of declining health did she begin to accept minimal assistance, stubbornly doing her best to take care of her own needs.

Supporting Jack in all his efforts, they have been a wonderful example of love and devotion to marriage and family for their 76 years together. We have been blessed to have them as parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. We love you Mom / Oma and will miss you greatly!

Ursula is survived by her husband of 76 years, Jack;  6 children: Michael of Gunnison, Patrick of Englewood, Frank (Judy) of Centennial, Carl (Eva) of Castle Rock, Joseph of Littleton, and Elisabeth “Betsy” (Tom) Schmerge of Windsor;  11 grandchildren: Michael (Melissa) Pansini, Marlo (PJ) Runnells, Stephanie Pansini, Tim (Monica Barrera) Pansini, Nicole (Joey) Pansini, Cory (Jordan) Pansini, Shannon and Angela Pansini, Jordan, Daniel and Aubrey Schmerge; and 4 great-grandchildren: Marcella and Takota Runnells, Lucas Pansini Barrera, and Olivia Pansini.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved grandson Sgt. Nicholas Anthony Pansini, USMC.

Donations may be made in her name to a charity of your choosing.

Recitation of the Rosary 10:30AM and Memorial Mass 11:00AM on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 6853 S. Prince Street, Littleton CO 80120. A reception will immediately follow the Mass in Marian Hall at the church.

Inurnment will follow the reception at Ft. Logan National Cemetery at 2PM, Staging Area Blue.

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