Minnie Anschutz was an inspirational “concentration” of experience, wisdom, love, perseverance and patience. The essence of her entire being was offered like a rich, savory broth — a blessing to all who knew her.
Domenica “Minnie” Capelli, born July 4, 1923, in Grants, New Mexico, was the daughter of Giuseppe Capelli and Prudencia Martinez Capelli. She is predeceased by her parents, husband — Leland Kent “Cy” Anschutz (1920-2003) — and six siblings: Dorella Cordova Diaz, Rosita Cordova Garcia, Joe “Tito” Cordova, Gina Capelli, Vittoria Capelli Baca and Antonio Capelli.
She is survived by her two children, Mark “Buck” D. Anschutz (Joan) and Cynthia “Cyd” Anschutz Stenicka (Mark); her grandchildren, Dennis L. Anschutz, Sheena Anschutz Fields (Tom), Nicholas J. Eppley (Hannah) and Lauren Lopez (Matthew); and her five great-grandchildren, Blane, Lily, Summer, Caroline and Elizabeth.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Minnie was a child. The Capelli family was offered a home to live in by a kind client of her stonemason father in San Rafael, New Mexico. She was spared much of the difficulty of that time and remembered this chapter quite fondly. Minnie came within inches of certain death at the age of seven, when her father’s pickup truck was struck by a train, throwing her from the truck bed. However, she went on to live to a remarkably healthy age of 100 years and 22 days. Minnie never had surgery and had been in the hospital only three times during her long life — twice to have her two babies, in 1954 and 1957.
Minnie was a Grants High School Pirate and honored as Homecoming Queen as a freshman! She worked early in the mornings before school at a bakery and after school at the local movie theater. After completing high school in 1941, Minnie worked as a bookkeeper for the John Church Company, which ran a 600-acre carrot farm in New Mexico and had operations in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Francisco, California. On pay days, Minnie would carry $10,000 in cash out to the fields to pay the Navajo workers for whom she had great love and respect. She made baby blankets for their children and taught many of them to sew.
In 1946, Minnie met Leland Kent Anschutz and they were married six months later on November 14. They were married for fifty-six years and lived in Grants, Ruidoso and Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; Fort Lupton, Brighton and Broomfield, Colorado; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. In Santa Fe, Minnie worked for the New Mexico State Tax and Revenue Department.
While a young mother, in 1959, Minnie was invited to join the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Sisterhood. This was a great honor for her, and she diligently served several New Mexico and Colorado chapters, culminating her 64-year P.E.O. career with Chapter C in Colorado Springs. She was adored by her P.E.O. sisters.
Minnie and Cy moved to Colorado Springs in October of 1994 and soon became part of Village Seven Presbyterian Church (V7PC). She was active with Vacation Bible School, PrimeTimers, the Holy Mailers, Gideon International, several Sunday School communities and, later, the Naomi Fellowship — a ministry for widows. After Cy’s death in 2003, Minnie lived with her daughter, Cyd, and son-in-law, Mark. She encouraged and loved many children from her church, neighborhood and community.
During her time in Colorado Springs, Minnie was active at the YMCA, volunteering and taking classes to maintain her physical health and social connections. For several years, she taught balance programs at the Y with her daughter.
Minnie always enjoyed time with her family. She has many extended family members and friends who love her dearly. Minnie’s hands were always busy with crafts and handiwork. She made many afghan throws, cards, cross-stitch pieces and at least 3,000 of her embroidered “hugs.” She worked in a craft store and was often asked to make its handcrafted demo samples. Her works grace the homes of many family members and friends. She kept several notebooks of memorable quotes and always had a Word Search or Sudoku challenge nearby. Minnie’s skill with numbers was phenomenal.
In 2019 at age 96, Minnie moved with Mark and Cyd to San Rafael de Escazú, Costa Rica, where dear friends of Cy’s from the 1940s make their home. Rodolfo Castro (Patricia), who is like a son to her, helped make this transition a delightful chapter in an exquisite country.
Our bilingual matriarch blessed everyone who knew her, especially as her childhood prayer surfaced during her last months: “Querido Dios, Te quiero, Te quiero, Te quiero, con toda mi alma, y todo mi corazon.” (Dear God, I love You, I love You, I love You, with all my soul, and all my heart.)
Minnie is lovingly remembered and missed. Her life serves as an inspiration for all of us to walk in grace, sweetness, kindness, faith and, above all, GRATITUDE.
A celebration of life service will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to: Village Seven Presbyterian Church, 4055 South Nonchalant Circle, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917. Include “Minnie Anschutz Memorial” in the memo line. Gifts to this fund can also be made online at https://www.v7pc.org/give-now.
Carolyn Reid
11 Sep 2023Minnie was a precious lady. A very inspiring & interesting obituary. A life well lived.
Gayle McKool
12 Sep 2023What a beautiful, loving tribute for a beautiful, loving, exceptional woman. What a life well lived. Love to all of you for the deep void of her loss.
Anonymous
12 Sep 2023Minnie was a beautiful treasure to so many around her. Just to be around her would brighten the day. Thank you for sharing her amazing life. Her love for the Lord is a wonderful encouragement to many.
Leslie Schwager
13 Sep 2023I remember Minnie dancing in the aisle of the sanctuary to beautiful music being played at a Naomi luncheon. I just loved that she was so happy. Your love for her is evident in your faithfulness and care. May God bless you and comfort you.
Anonymous
13 Sep 2023Such a beautiful tribute! I’m sorry I didn’t know her better… but we’ll do that in heaven.
Wanda Maes
13 Sep 2023It was a pleasure to know this wonderful LADY. In every way she was a LADY. We will miss her in this world and look forward to seeing her in heaven. Love in Christ to all the family.
Anonymous
14 Sep 2023She blessed everyone she met. I will miss her very much. Love Bette Kels9.
LaBerta Dewhirst
14 Sep 2023A gracious Lady.! 💐I am pleased to have known her -and her lovely daughter, Cyd too🥰
Susan Savage Fishman
18 Sep 2023I believe Minnie was the sweetest human I’ve ever know. Not of the sweety-sweet saccharine variety. She was a rare divine flower who extended her pure unfailing love for the Lord to everyone she met. I feel I was especially blessed. As a child she was my “second Mother.” Her daughter, Cyd, was my closest friend and every time I was in the Anschutz home Minnie embraced me with such love and goodness I can still feel it today. I haven’t seen her in years and yet I am weeping as if it was only yesterday. May God grant peace and comfort to all of you who gave back to Minnie that same love and sweetness during her final years.
Jeannie ODonnell
19 Sep 2023Minnie was a dear friend and I miss her. She truly was a walking example of God’s grace.
Barbara Jabbour
22 Sep 2023she will be missed. such a sweet gentle lady.
Susan Buell
28 Sep 2023Minnie would bring Cyd to Denver from Brighton and my mom would bring me from Arvada to dance with the founders of Colorado Ballet. She and my mom had so much fun together while us girls produced pearl droplets in class. She was always joy personified with a smile and a hug!
Eric Chriss
28 Sep 2023We considered Minnie our co-Grandmother and will miss her love, beauty, and grace. She always seemed at Peace on earth and now she waits for all of us to join her.
Brenda Padilla
29 Sep 2023My Auntie Minnie was more than a great aunt to me. She was a great person, and someone I loved her very much. Auntie Minnie was kind, loving, generous and truly wonderful. She always wore an Angel pin every day. I believe she was an Angel on earth. Auntie Minnie gave me great advice, and was always there for me. I admired her wisdom and grace. She was a true example of a lady and ensuring that we trust in God and place him first in our lives. Living to be 100 years of age is amazing, she truly did and saw more than we can imagine. How great that is. May God bless you my dear auntie! You are with him now. I love you! Brenda