On March 2, 2009, Ima J. Matthies passed away peacefully at home after a short battle with cancer.
She was born to Helen and Arnold Leinweber in Denver, Colorado on March 20, 1935. Ima graduated from Greeley High School in 1953 and then obtained her nursing degree from Denver University in 1956. While working on her nursing degree at Presbyterian Hospital in Denver she met and married Arlan W. “Jim” Matthies, her husband of 53 years. Shortly after marriage they moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, their home for the next 27 years.
During her nursing career in Baton Rouge she spent over fifteen years as a public health nurse. She took pride in working for and helping her less fortunate patients. In April of 1983 Ima and Jim returned to Colorado to follow their dream of opening their own business in Estes Park. Ima served as Little Valley Homeowner’s Association president from 1992-2009. A few of her many accomplishments as president were the rewriting of Little Valley’s covenants, the development of Little Valley’s first road district and establishing one of the area’s first successful fire mitigation programs with the U.S. and Colorado Forest Services. Ima’s talents included painting and crocheting and she loved watching the Nuggets, Broncos and especially her Colorado Rockies.
Ima is survived by her husband, Jim, and their four children, Chery and her husband Matt Ewing, St. Francisville, LA, Jim Jr., Estes Park, CO, Pat and her husband Allan Stone, Mulvane, KS and Jeff, Thornton, CO. She is also survived by four grandchildren, David, Cara, Leah and Christopher, as well as two step-grandchildren Sheila and Shaina. Further survived by her brothers Richard Leinweber, Devine, TX, and Merle Leinweber, Austin, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Bill Leinweber.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 5th 2010 in Estes Park. Location and time will be forthcoming so that all family and friends may join in honoring her memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Colorado Special Olympics in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 1302 Graves Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517.
See www.allnutt.com to see Ima’s on-line obituary and send a message to the family.
