James Michael Donelan

James Donelan III, 83, of Ft. Collins passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013. He was born December 21, 1930 in Colby, KS to Hazel and James Donelan Jr. In 1934, the family moved to Keenesburg, CO, where his Dad opened a grocery store. Jimmy, as he was then called, lived with his family in an apartment at the rear of the business for the next 20 years. He was active in sports and worked at the Foster Lumber Company during his high school years. He graduated from Keenesburg High School in 1948 and attended the University of Colorado for a year. He returned to Keenesburg to again work for the lumber company as an assistant manager and bookkeeper.

Jim married Gloria Nelson of Lakewood, Colorado on October 1, 1950. Soon after, he joined the 140th Colorado Air National Guard, and was activated on April 1, 1952. He trained for the U.S. Air Force in Denver at Buckley Air Base and at the Squadron in Burbank, California. After his service career, he returned to Keenesburg to assist his father in the grocery business for the next 4 years.

Jim then worked for H.W. Moore Equipment Co. a Denver-based firm which sold industrial road building equipment. His duties included billing, payroll, and accounts payable. During these years Jim and Gloria continued their life in Keenesburg and The Lord blessed them with 3 beautiful daughters; Patricia, Gale, and Carol.

The family then moved to Greeley, CO. where for the next 3 years Jim worked as a store manager at the new Downtown Foodliner. He was then hired by Dick and Milt Uhlenhopp to open a new supermarket in Sterling, CO. The U-Save Supers store was an immediate success and within 3 years earned the Associated Grocers' Top Sales Volume Store Award. The Uhlenhopp brothers bought another supermarket in Sterling in which Jim was a 1/3 partner, and was appointed General Manager of both stores. Later, Jim bought Dick Uhlenhopp's interest in the 2 Sterling stores. He was elected to the Associated Grocers of Colorado board of Directors for two 3-year terms. During this time, Jim was instrumental in building an AG warehouse in Denver.

On Dec. 14, 1973, he married a wonderful woman, Thelma Karsten. His new marriage brought great joy to Jim's life, as he not only had a new wife, but also became a stepfather to 4 wonderful children; Colin, Sandy, Jon, and Joe.

Jim became the sole owner of both U-Save Supers stores when he purchased Milt Uhlenhopp's interest. His excellent leadership style resulted in a loyal and enthusiastic management team and a strong work ethic in his younger staff. Eventually, he enlarged the south U-Save Supers store which became the first supermarket in the state to scan groceries. He expanded his grocery operation to Alliance, NE. In 1982, Jim sold the 2 Sterling U-Save Supers stores to Sixth Street Markets. At the age of 52 Jim found himself retired.

His interests included the love of flying which led to a pilot's license and many cross country trips, golfing, and fishing. In his retirement, Jim and Thelma had the opportunity to travel the world and most of the 50 states; they belonged to golf clubs and lived in Indian Wells, CA, Keystone, CO, and Fort Collins, CO. They met and enjoyed the friendships of people from all walks of life. Together they blended their respective families, and God blessed them with the love of three sons, four daughters, eleven grandchildren and one great grandson.

Jim is survived by his wife, Thelma, his children; Colin (Patty) Karsten, Sandy (Denny) Barnes, Patricia (Tom) Grant, Gale (Doug) Eveleth, Carol (Dirk) Steinsiek, Jon (Jane) Karsten; grandchildren Jenny (Chad) Naughton, Greg (Siu) Grant, Joan Grant, Shauna Steinbach, Ryan (Ann) Steinbach, Brooke Karsten, Kendall Karsten, Sara (Bryan) Moll, Leslie Barnes, Jonathan Karsten, Chad Karsten; and great grandson Avery.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Hazel Donelan, his sister Mary Ann Rapp, and his youngest son Joe.

Memorial contributions in Jim's honor may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7755 Greenstone Trail, Fort Collins, CO, 80525.