Alena Mae Jelinek Stimack

Alena Mae Jelinek (Jud) was born at the Women’s hospital in Denver, Colorado on March 2, 1929, to Irma Elsa Jelinek and Frank Jelinek. Alena Mae Stimack passed peacefully on March 6, 2026, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. She was receiving hospice care at home and passed away four days after her 97th birthday.

Alena grew up in Kit Carson, Colorado with an older sister (Irma Lea Jelinek Wood) and an older brother (Paul Frank Jelinek). Alena’s father was the Vice President of the Kit Carson State Bank, and her mother was a homemaker, making every meal and baking everything from scratch. Alena’s grandparents homesteaded, owned, and ran a cattle ranch near Kit Carson.

Alena attended school, first-twelfth grade, in the same building and graduated from Kit Carson High School in 1947 in a class of fifteen students. She was an excellent student, especially in math, a member of the Glee club, a cheerleader, in the play cast, played in the orchestra and band, and in her spare time, worked at the Kit Carson State Bank.

After her High School graduation, Alena moved to Denver to attend the University of Denver. She joined the Sigma Kappa Sorority. The sorority did not have housing, so she lived with her brother and his wife Mary. Alena found the large urban school slightly overwhelming. However, she found a niche as a mentor and secretary at the Sorority and the business manager of the Kynewisbok (your guess is as good of mine). Alena earned her Mathematics degree from DU in 1951, with Political Science as her minor.

After graduating from DU, she worked at the Central Bank in Denver and met her soon-to-be-husband, Frank Joseph Stimack. Frank and Alena were married on December 30, 1951, by a Justice of the Peace in Raton, New Mexico with only two witnesses. When they returned to Walsenburg, Frank’s brothers and a few friends kidnapped Alena and left her on the Coors Brewing Company dock. She had never been to Walsenburg in her life and had no idea where they had taken her. In the end Frank found her, and all was well.

Their next move was to San Luis, Colorado where Frank and Alena were the only teachers in the High School for a year. In 1954, Alena and Frank moved to Hugo, Colorado, where Frank accepted a position as Head Coach at Hugo High School. During their time in Hugo, they formed deep and lasting friendships with the Hamill and Romeo families.

While living in Hugo, Colorado, their first daughter, Marta, was born in Flagler, Colorado on January 4, 1957. The family joke was that she was born on the second floor of the Dairy Queen. In the same year, they moved to Santa Rosa, California. Their second daughter, Sandra Lea, was born on September 21, 1960, in Santa Rosa, California. The family moved to Lakewood, Colorado in 1961.

Their oldest daughter was married to Thomas Jay Murray on September 5, 1981. Her first grandchild, Sarah Jean Murray, was born on June 1, 1984. Their second grandchild, Jay Christopher Murray, was born on March 10, 1986.

They were both teachers in Jefferson County Schools. Frank taught elementary school and retired when his first grandchild was born. Alena taught junior high math at two schools also in Jeffco Schools. After retirement Alena welcomed her great grandchildren, Kaden, Aubree, Joel, and Blair, with all the love and care they shared with every generation before. Her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great nieces and nephews were extra special. Few people have an opportunity to experience multiple generations in their lifetime.

After Frank passed away, Alena continued following the Rockies, Broncos, and Nuggets on TV after Frank passed. Alena also had season tickets to the Symphony and the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Alena was the treasurer of a Symphony Guild unit for a few years. She also loved to dance. Many of us learned how to dance by watching Alena dance in the kitchen.

Alena was a sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandma, great grammy, and friend. She was quick witted, laughed easily, strong, and so smart. Everyone, particularly family members, felt they could rely on her for support, comfort, and guidance. The coffee pot was always on, and the back door welcomed company at all hours to the day or night.

There are so many stories in those 97 years full of life and love spanning several generations. Her memory will always be treasured, and Alena's presence will be profoundly missed.

Alena’s Memorial Service will be at Horan and McConaty, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227 on July 23 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, Please consider donating to Choice Hospice (&20-750-8497), Family Tree Private Care (303-791-3155), or a charity of your choice.