Obituary of John Guenzel Whitten

John Guenzel Whitten passed on August 29, 2014 doing one of his favorite activities – officiating a high school football game. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Robin Walters Whitten; son, John Walters Whitten (Melinda); daughter, Emily Anne Wendolek (Aaron); granddaughter, Madelynn Lois Whitten; sisters, Katherine Hays (Mark), Mary Blase (Keith), Elizabeth Dragoo (Doug); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. John looked forward to the birth of a second grandchild (Wendolek) next spring. John was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 20, 1952 to John V. and Lois (Guenzel) Whitten. The family lived in Sterling and Greeley before moving to Colorado Springs in 1966. John graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 1970 and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1974. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He began a 40-year career in the banking industry as an examiner with the FDIC. John later moved to commercial and business banking, serving as an officer in banks in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs. He was president of Mountain View Bank and most recently served as president of Colorado Springs State Bank. John cared about his customers, staff and our community, and supported the work of many organizations. He served on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club, Village at Skyline, Village at the Bluffs, The Pikes Peak Club (formerly Pikes Peak Sertoma), Colorado Springs Football Officials Association, Early Connections Learning Centers, and the Palmer Land Trust. John also loved being an unofficial ambassador for Colorado Springs, sharing its history and attractions with visitors and newcomers.Most importantly, John was a devoted husband, father, grandpa and friend who shared his wit, wisdom and zest for life. The family would like to thank the officiating crew, first responders, Academy School District 20 and Woodland Park District administrators and coaches, and St. Francis Medical Center physicians and staff.Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Thursday, September 4, 2014, First Christian Church, 16 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Early Connections Learning Centers, 104 East Rio Grande Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903, Pikes Peak Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 673, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901, or Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Thursday, September 4, 2014 11:00AM First Christian Church 16 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs,, CO 80903 Phone: 719-328-1793