Loraine Ann Barringer

Loraine Ann Barringer, best known to her family as “Gram”, a long time Denver resident passed away at the age of 84 on July 26, 2017. She lived her life for her husband, her children and her grandchildren and dedicated her “Love” to each of them. Loraine was preceded in death by her loving husband Paul and is survived by her three sons, Paul D. Barringer (Karen), Steven W. Barringer, and Robin J. Barringer (Michelle). She also had nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Loraine was the seventh of nine children, born to Jacob and Rose Mahler. She was born in Iliff, Colorado. Along with her parents and 8 siblings, Loraine relocated to Denver, Colorado where she resided for the rest of her life. In her own words she would boastfully claim “I was born in a box car!” which was a reference to a true railroad boxcar converted into a birthing room on the family beet farm near Ovid, CO. That self-confident trait in Loraine exemplified her mixed German and Russian personality by being proud of who she was. She was raised Roman Catholic and grew up on the North-East side of Downtown Denver and attended Annunciation High School and was better known as “Rainey”. She could be found hanging around side by side with her best friend Betty Lou, who eventually became her sister-in-law. At the age of 13 she met the love of her life, when a tall, dark and handsome young man came to her home to deliver ice. His name was Paul, and after a failed attempt by her father to “chase him away with a broomstick”, they began their love affair. Loraine married her first love, Paul, after his return from the Korean War. From that day on they spent “EVERY SINGLE DAY” together until his death. Loraine, with her husband Paul, raised their family on the north side of Denver in a small community best known as Perl Mack. Loraine was mostly a homemaker, she would sometimes work part time as a playground supervisor at Valley View Elementary but most of her working days were spent preparing food at Mickeys Inn and ViaVenice. Loraine’s love for sports began at a young age while playing stickball and basketball in the alley behind their house. While she never played organized sports, she was adamant on where her three sons got their athleticism ... FROM THEIR MOM! She was commonly found jumping rope, racing, jumping on trampolines, or simply visiting with neighborhood children on the front porch. Her love for sports transformed Loraine, along with her husband Paul into being the most dedicated fans. It was not uncommon, and a guarantee to find Loraine at each and every sporting event her sons played in, as well as her grandchildren. Whether it was the only Mom in the stands during a Mapleton baseball game, during a blizzard or a 6 hour drive over Monarch pass to watch college football and basketball, or a two day drive to California to watch college baseball, she was always sure to find a way to attend each and every game. Loraine was also known to be one of the first true Denver Bronco Fans! Her love for the Broncos started with their inception in 1960. It flourished while she was working at ViaVenice, a small sandwich shop located next to the Broncos headquarters off of 58th avenue. Loraine made lunch daily for the likes of Floyd Little, Craig Morton, and Bobby Maples. The respect and gratitude the Broncos showed her in their Super Bowl run in the 70s transformed into “Broncos Sunday at the Barringer house!” It was demanded that all Barringers and their guests, attend Bronco games at Loraine’s house during each and every game day! She would prepare extravagant amounts of food for all who attended, nothing more popular than her secret recipe brownies. She coined a celebration now known as the “Wee-Hee” in which all would hold hands and jump around in a circle after every Bronco touchdown. But mostly, Bronco Sunday was about keeping her family close together. Loraine would enjoy watching her children and grandchildren throw the football together at halftime on Galapago Street even more than the game. When she wasn’t hosting her family for Broncos games, Loraine could be found at her favorite bingo hall. She was known for being able to play 15 cards at once, which led to her constantly winning. However, even with her good fortune, she didn’t spend a lot of her winnings, because most of it was snuck to her grandchildren to spend on what they wanted. Loraine even enjoyed taking them to play with her on occasion to see their joy in calling BINGO! In November of 2009 Loraine suffered a massive stroke. It found her fighting for her life and in intensive care for more than a week. The stroke was so damaging it left her paralyzed with only the use of her right arm. She was bound in a wheel chair and needed a caregiver the rest of her days, mainly her husband Paul. On the Christmas following her stroke, she was gifted with a Denver Bronco blanket by one of her grandchildren. That blanket has been with her everyday since, and will be for everyday to come. Loraine will be remembered for her love of Bingo, the Denver Broncos but mostly the love she gave to her family. “We love you Gram ... Wee-Hee!” Recitation of the Rosary will be Thursday, August 3, 2017, beginning at 9:00 AM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, in Arvada, Colorado 80003, with Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 AM, at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church, 7400 West 80th Avenue, in Arvada, Colorado 80003. Interment will begin at 2:30 PM, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Area ""B"", 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, in Denver, Colorado. Please share your memories of Loraine and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.