Burdena W. Giberson
1919-2013
Dena, 93, passed away peacefully on June 30 and went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ. She was known for her sweet smile, friendly spirit, compassion and tremendous love of the Lord and her Church.
She was born on November 4, 1919, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Samuel White and Claudia Reynolds White. Her childhood was spent with sisters, Lonabelle and Verna, attending Steele School, North Junior High School, and graduating from Colorado Springs High School. She taught kindergarten in Manitou Springs.
She married Donald Kenneth Giberson in 1941. After he enlisted in the US Army, they lived in Columbus, Georgia, where son Gary Michael was born in 1943. After a transfer to Leadville-Camp Hale and the 10th Mountain Division in Colorado, second son Jerry Ronald was born in 1944. Dena lived in Colorado Springs near family when Don was sent overseas with the 1st Division, landing at Normandy. He was wounded, captured and escaped in Germany and was awarded a Purple Heart. He spent a year in a California hospital before receiving a medical discharge, and then returned to his family to continue his career in civil service at Fort Carson.
Dena enjoyed being a Scout den mother, home room worker, Sunday school teacher, choir singer, Church Clerk, and Church Secretary for nearly 50 years. She enjoyed playing tennis, hiking, tent-style camping, hunting and fishing, gourmet cooking, sewing, crafting and Church missions and retreats. In addition to frequent weekend trips to the Giberson family ranch in Frisco, Colorado, they were able to enjoy travels throughout much of the US and Hawaii, Israel, Africa, Australia, Tahiti, Korea and Canada. She especially enjoyed many cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and Panama Canal.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son in 1945, son Jerry at age 26 in 1970, husband of 55 years Donald in 1996, and sister Lona in 2009. She is survived by her son, Gary and wife Gloria of Austin, Texas; grandchildren: Clint Giberson of Superior, Dennis Giberson of Boulder, Shelley Giberson and husband Ron Carmichael of Atlanta, Georgia; four great-grandchildren: Henry and Calvin Giberson, Liam and Chloe Carmichael; her sister, Verna Flynn of Colorado Springs; and six nieces and nephews.
Her family learned from Dena’s example how to live life with gratitude for each day and each loved one; love and humor surpassing material possessions; facing great sorrows with an optimistic will to move forward again; and the love of God. Her faith supported her throughout her truly well-lived life and service to Calvary Baptist Church as a Charter member. She started and ended each day with devotion and prayers.
Dena’s family would like to thank the excellent staff of Emeritus of Broadmoor where she spent the last 7 years of her life, many of those years residing along with her sisters Lona and Verna. Special thanks go to longtime friends, Vera Harry, Linda Mills, Margaret Pohlenz, MaryBelle Powell, Jayne Veteto, and Nova Waite. Thanks also go to Pastor Kyle Sullivan and friends in Christ at Calvary Baptist Church. Their love and kindness provided the support and friendship which sustained her in her golden years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 1712 S. Corona, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
A Memorial will be held at a later date at the Giberson family cemetery in Dillon, Colorado.