Obituary of Edward Lee Meinzer

Edward Lee Meinzer, 92, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. He was born to Fred Henry and Annie Louise (Boettger) on January 7, 1930, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He grew up in Kendrick, Colorado, and attended school at Lincoln Valley, and Little White schools until eighth grade. His family farmed near the Rush/Kendrick communities, primarily raising sheep and cattle. One of Lee's memories of farming was being put to work running a knife sled behind a team of horses at nine years old. As a teenager, he worked one summer near Ordway, Colorado, as a ranch hand helping to care for five hundred head of cattle. When Lee turned seventeen, he was able to get a "chauffeur" license (precursor to CDL) and drove a semi for the ranch and to make additional income. On February 25, 1952, the U.S. Marine Corps drafted Lee during the Korean War. He was in boot camp in San Diego, California at M.C.R.D. (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) camp. He was then sent to Quantico, Virginia to small arms repair school. After the completion of that training, he was sent back to Camp Pendleton in San Diego to complete combat and amphibious training. In August of 1953, Lee was shipped out to Korea on the USS General A. Brewster war ship. However, before they arrived, the war ended so they went to Camp Gifu in Japan, located on the main island. He spent five months in Japan before returning to the U.S., docking at and being discharged from, Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco. Throughout his life, Lee proudly wore a Marine Corps hat and would greet his fellow Marine's with a firm handshake and boisterous "Semper Fi". He lived his life in honor of that motto, meaning "Always Faithful." After being discharged from the service, Lee met Marguerite B. Morris at the hospital where his dad was being treated. Marguerite was a nurse and widowed mom of two adopted sons, (Phil and James). They married and he helped raise the boys. Marguerite passed away in 1970. Lee worked for El Paso County as a maintenance worker for many years, often driving a maintainer to care for the rural, dirt roads. Lee was good at his job and after retirement, would drive his tractor and blade around his neighborhood, smoothing the dirt. He met his second wife, Jimmie Nell (Henderson), a young widow, at a blind-date dinner set up by friends and Jimmie's two daughters, Sue and Glenda. Lee and Jimmie married on December 1, 1971, in Colorado Springs.They made their home on their cattle ranch near Truckton, Colorado. Both of them took tremendous pride in their home and property, which was a peaceful sanctuary for their grandchildren. Self-taught, he made sturdy welded gates with decorative wagon wheels, which dotted their entire property and welcomed visitors from the road. Lee was a patient, gentle, and fun-loving man with a dry wit who appreciated a good joke. He loved to visit with people and enjoyed telling stories of his many trips with Jimmie, and his experiences in the military. The ranch was their home until 1998, when they moved to Ellicott, Colorado. Jimmie passed away in December of 2019. In August of 2020, Lee moved into a retirement apartment, The Inn at Garden Plaza, in Colorado Springs. He made many wonderful friends there and loved playing pool and cards with his buddies. He also enjoyed the delicious food there and the thoughtful company of his friend and neighbor, Betty. Lee is preceded in death by his parents, Fred Henry and Annie Louise (Boettger) Meinzer; siblings, Minnie "Katherine", Lucille Henrietta, and Roland Henry; first wife, Marguerite, and second wife and soul mate, Jimmie Nell; stepson, Phil Morris; and nephew, Allen Meinzer.He is survived by his daughters, Merle Sue (James, deceased) Handle of Ellicott, Colorado, Glenda Rae (Wayne) Shade of Limon, Colorado; grandchildren, Rhonda Sue (Danny) Gillis of Ellicott, Justin Ray Jackson of Simla, Colorado, Dawneen Rae (Mike) Banks of Greeley, Colorado, Leslie A. (Trey) Willoughby of Belen, New Mexico, and Kristina "Krissy" Annette Nall of Apache Junction, Arizona; great-grandchildren, twins, Christofer James Gillis and Shelby Dawn (Kyle) Miller, both of Ellicott, Ashlynne Banks (Michael) Washam of Winter Springs, Florida, Joslyn Delaney Jackson of Simla, Colorado, Ava Ravencamp of Limon, Colorado, Justice and Chimaera Willoughby of Belen, New Mexico, Collin Michael Banks and Kenleigh Attysen Banks, both of Greeley, Colorado, Kamberlei Nall of Coolidge, Arizona, Tyler and Peyton Nall of Mesa, Arizona; great-great granddaughters, Peyton Marie Gillis and Violet Aubrey Miller; his nephews, Leroy (Roberta) Meinzer of Wakarusa, Kansas, Roger (Karen) Meinzer of Yoder, Colorado, Harold (Jean) Meinzer of Yoder, Colorado; and niece, Maryann (Roger, deceased) Whitney also of Yoder, Colorado. He is also survived by many beloved great nieces and nephews.Funeral Services, 9:30AM, Friday, August 19, 2022, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909. It will be conducted by his great-nephew, Jade Meinzer.The family will be hosting a reception immediately following the funeral at The Springs Funeral Services. Light refreshments will be served.Graveside Services,12:30PM, Friday, August 19, 2022, Evergreen Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. Events Funeral Service Friday, August 19, 2022 9:30AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Graveside Friday, August 19, 2022 12:30PM Evergreen Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expressway Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: 719-578-6646