Jo Geilenkirchen

Josephine Geilenkirchen, also known as Jo, Passed away in Windsor, Co., on May 1, 2019. She was born to Perry and Billye (King); Mary Jo Kintzley on August 30, 1942 in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Jo is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dean Geilenkirchen, her sons Eric Geilenkirchen (Dina) of Maryland, David Geilenkirchen of California and grandson Drew Kosakewich of Windsor. Sisters, Cele Bergstorm (Paul), Susan Essig and brother John Kintzley. Nieces and nephews Sarah Bergstrom, Katie Novell, Maggie Essig, John Paul Bergstrom, Perry Kintzley and James Kintzley.

As a child she was in 4H Club and participated in "Home Beautification" categories. Jo graduated from Fort Collins high school in 1961, and worked as a long-distance telephone operator for Mountain Bell for several years. Jo married Dean Geilenkirchen at Saint Joseph Catholic Church on July 27, 1963. Spending most of her life as a devoted homemaker, Jo also worked as a PBX operator at Home Federal savings and worked in Dietary at Poudre Valley Hospital for five years. Jo worked at Saint Joseph Catholic School as a baker for five years and then worked and volunteered as an office assistant. Dean and Jo lived in the Fort Collins area for thirty-one years before moving to Windsor, Colorado in 1996.

Jo loved being a part of DeAnna, Eric, and David's lives, supporting them in Baseball and basketball games, music lessons, Cub scouts, 4H, and school projects. You name it, Jo was helping with it! Jo's nieces remember Aunt Jo helping and participating in their Berthoud Girl Scout troop.

Some of her hobbies included helping with the lawn and gardening, tending to flower beds by pulling weeds in the summer. With the turn of weather, Jo was busy reading books of all subjects, handy work, and quilt making.

Many summers found Jo up camping at Big Creek with family and friends, making boats and racing them on the lake and hiking up to the Falls.

One of her successes Jo is most proud of is raising their grandson Drew for more than ten years and providing him with love, care and opportunity. One could say their relationship was not only Drew being her grandson, but a lot more that went as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky took them. Jo had a special place in her heart for Drew.

In recent years Jo had found pleasure meeting her quilting friends at their Challenged club meeting/breakfast and eight years of line dancing with friends. She also served as a lector for Our Lady of the Valley Church serving eleven years. Jo is preceded in death by her parents Perry and Billye Kintzley, her brothers Michael Hugh Kintzley, Perry Grant Kintzley and her beloved daughter, Deanna Mae Geilenkirchen.

Services will take place on May 8, 2019. Viewing will be at 10:00, followed by a Rosary service and Catholic Mass that will be held at 10:30 at Our Lady of the Valley Church, 1250 7th Street, Windsor, Colorado 80550. A reception will follow the mass. Interment will follow reception at Resthaven Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 8426 U.S.-287, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525.

The family would like to thank all of those who have been a part of and supported her in the roller coaster ride she has been on the last two years. Jo was larger than life and will be missed more than any words can be spoken.