Mary Jo Elston

Hearts full of sorrow, yet grateful for her long and full life, we are saddened to announce the passing of our matriarch, Mary Jo Knickerbocker Elston, on September 4, 2025. Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was born on March 5, 1929, in Dawson, Nebraska, to the late Harlan Cole Knickerbocker and Maedean Lenore (Alexander) Knickerbocker. She grew up in Dawson and later attended high school in Columbus, Nebraska, where she met her future husband, Daniel Dean Elston. Dan promised to show her the world—and he did. Although she loved to travel, she always looked forward to returning home to Colorado.

A lifelong lover of the written word, Mary Jo found joy and wisdom in the pages of countless books, each one a window into new worlds and ideas. Her faith, family, and friends formed the steadfast foundation of her days, guiding her with purpose and grace. She delighted in the simple, beautiful things of life—tending her garden with care, weaving stories in thread through her embroidery, and tracing the branches of her family’s history with devotion and curiosity.

Mary Jo gave of herself not only to her family, but also to the communities and causes she cherished. She was proud to be a charter member of the Doctor Susan Anderson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American REvolution (NSDAR), honoring heritage and history. Her faith, the guiding light of her life, found expression in her long membership at Hillcrest Baptist Church. In the 1950s, she helped plant the roots of Chaffee Community Baptist Church in Denver, reflecting her unshakable belief in service, fellowship, and living by the Golden Rule. Through every endeavor, Mary Jo’s life radiated kindness, generosity, and quiet strength, leaving behind a legacy as enduring as the communities she helped to build. Mary Jo will be remembered for her deep love of family, her warmth and kindness, and her unwavering faith.

She leaves behind a rich legacy through her five children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, who were the joy of her life.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Dean Elston, and two of her sons, Daniel Dean Elston Jr. and Alan Cole Elston. She is survived by her children: Mary Mehaffey (Homer Mehaffey) of Pensacola, Florida; Wayne Elston of Sandy, Utah; Carol Hall (Dick Hall) of Arvada, Colorado; and Susanne Lamarine of Littleton, Colorado.

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Joel Mehaffey, Tyler Elston (Carmen Kemsley), Alicia Bloebaum (Drake Bloebaum), Kyle Elston, Rachel Elston (Jeremy Nolan), Zane Elston (Mary Neibur), Michael Hall (Niki Hall), Richard Hall (Rhiannon Ferguson), Kate Hall, Steve Lamarine (Cherie Lamarine), Ryan Lamarine, and Michelle Lamarine.

Her great-grandchildren include Makaela Elston, Garret Bloebaum, Brooks Bloebaum, Charles Bloebaum, Evelin Hall, Grayson Hall, Josephine Hall, Daniel Elston, Alexandra Elston, Natalie Lamarine, Noah Simons, Lucas Elston, Charlotte Elston, and Silas Nolan—the last infant Mary Jo lovingly held in her arms.

Though she will be deeply missed, Mary Jo’s legacy of love, devotion, and faith will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Her life was a story of kindness, generosity, patience, and a constant thirst for knowledge. She lived a humble, simple life bracketed by two unshakable beliefs: to live by the Golden Rule