Obituary of Loretta Elaine Chapman

Loretta Elaine Chapman, 85, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2023, at her residence within The Gardens on Quail.

Loretta is survived by her daughter Trina Chapman, sisters-in-law Elaine Ohnmacht, Jean Foxworthy, Dianna (Dean) Hall, and Beverly Chapman and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, parents John Finiff and Viola Pates, brother Donald Hutcheson, sisters-in-law Evelyn Morelock, Patricia Farwell, Donna Yost, and Patricia Hutcheson, brothers-in-law Dale Morelock, Dale “Bud” Chapman, Donald Chapman, Bob Ohnmacht, and Bill Foxworthy, and infant daughter Kristi.

Loretta was born on June 4, 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska and spent much of her early childhood in rural areas outside of Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1955 and worked as an administrative assistant in Omaha for several years. She met her future husband, Jim, through a co-worker, and they were married in 1965. In 1966, Loretta and Jim moved to Colorado for an employment opportunity for Jim and settled in Arvada.

After their daughter Trina’s birth in 1969, Loretta was a stay-at-home mother until Trina entered school full-time. Loretta then resumed her former work as an administrative assistant and worked for Scott Paper Company for many years. Later in her career, she worked for Children’s Hospital Colorado as an executive assistant, both at a satellite facility and the primary hospital in Denver. Loretta enjoyed this work immensely, as it gave her the opportunity to visit with children every day. In her final position before retirement, Loretta supported the hospital’s lead heart transplant surgeon and found this work especially rewarding.

During her retirement years, Loretta spent ten winter seasons in Arizona with Jim and enjoyed participating in many activities including line dancing, Zumba, crafts, and playing cards and bingo. She and Jim made many new friends during their time in Arizona. Loretta also enjoyed doing volunteer work in retirement, assisting at the Arvada Senior Center and supporting the senior club and other activities at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

Loretta’s home had a yard with numerous flower beds, and she took great pride in maintaining these over the years. She was also an avid Denver Broncos fan, attending many home games with Jim for over 25 years and then with Trina for another 10 years. Her cheers at these games were among the loudest! Loretta loved all her pets over the years, but was particularly fond of her dog, Rudy, who was a constant companion for her after Jim’s death in 2016.

A funeral service will be held on April 20, 2023, at 11:00 am at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Arvada, Colorado. A reception will follow the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association: Colorado Chapter (see the memorial tribute page of Loretta Chapman) or The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado.