Madaline Lake (Gipe)

Madaline (Gipe) Lake passed away on February 9, 2024, in Montrose, CO, at the age of 85. Madaline was welcomed into the world on August 5, 1938, in Cedaredge, CO to Perry and Vesta (Byfield) Gipe. She was blessed with a sister, Ellouise to round out the family of four.

The Gipe family moved around a bit while the girls were growing up. Madaline attended schools in Montrose, California, and Gunnison, as the family moved. She was back in Montrose for high school and graduated with the class of 1955. From there, she went to Colorado State College, which later became University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. She had a passion for teaching and double majored in Business and English with a minor in education. Her teaching career began in Leadville, CO in 1959.

Madaline was teaching Business and English classes at Lake County High School (LCHS) when she decided to take a first aid class. The class happened to be taught by Norman Lake. When Norman asked her out after one of the classes, the two began dating. They were married a year later on November 19,1960, in Leadville. Five children came from this union: Kellie, Peter, Leonard (Jeff), Linda and Rachel. Norm and Madaline were married for 31 years before Norm passed away in 1992. Madaline never remarried.

With 5 kids born within 7 years, Madaline was a stay-at-home mom for many years. She went back to work for a time after the first 3 kids were born but then stayed at home for another stint once the last two kids were born. Even though she had her hands full with the kids, she also helped Norm run his electrical contracting business, Smith Electric. Norm and Madaline ran the electrical business until the end of 1989.

Once all the kids had entered school, Madaline went back to teaching. She started teaching business classes at Colorado Mountain College. She mostly taught in the afternoons or evenings in the beginning. She also did some subbing at LCHS. She went back to teaching full-time at LCHS in 1979. She taught both Business and English classes there until 1994. The school district offered an early retirement package in 1994 and Madaline decided to take it.

During her 37 years in Leadville, Madaline cared for many of Norm’s relatives including his mother, four aunts and an uncle. Once she retired, she felt the winters in Leadville were rough and decided to go back home to Montrose. She had an aunt, Florence (Byfield) Sparks, who still lived in Montrose. Madaline enjoyed spending time with and helping Florence. Madaline lived in Montrose from 1996 to the time of her death.

After Madaline was back in Montrose, she became active in many community organizations to fulfill her desire to help people however possible. She was a member and officer of Golden Circle and a longtime volunteer with Sharing Ministries Food Bank and Meals on Wheels. RSVP (Region 10 Senior Volunteer Program) was another way that Madaline became involved in the community. Through this group, she volunteered at the Ute Museum and was part of the transportation board for Montrose. She also was part of the board for the Senior Advisory Committee. She volunteered in the office for St. Mary’s Catholic Church for most of the years she was in Montrose, as well. Anywhere there was a need, Madaline would lend a hand.

Madaline embraced the performing arts available in the Montrose area.  She was a regular season ticket holder for Magic Circle Players, Delta-Montrose Community Concert Association, and Valley Symphony Association.  The performances brought her great joy and allowed her to share wonderful experiences with friends she attended with.

Madaline was always very active in professional and church related organizations. She was active with the Colorado Education Association and the Lake County Education Association while she was teaching. She was a founding member of the Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) chapter in Leadville, another teaching organization. She was a DKG member for 40+ years and held different offices with the two chapters she belonged to in Leadville and Montrose. Through the Catholic Church, she became a member of Catholic Daughters of America. She held many offices during the time she was actively involved, including State Regent. She was also a member of the Rosary Makers Guild, while in Leadville.

Self-proclaimed as a voracious reader, Madaline was always on the hunt for the next good book. Over the years, she dabbled in several other hobbies but reading always remained her go to activity. She learned belly dancing, tai chi, and square dancing during her life. Reading was what always grounded her, though.

Travel was something that Madaline enjoyed a great deal. She made a trip overseas with her college friends after they graduated and never stopped talking about the experience. She later traveled to Ecuador to practice her Spanish and learn about the culture. Another trip she spoke of often was her trip to Swaziland and South Africa with friends from church. She traveled with her family to places like Germany, Canada, Iceland, Bermuda, Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas. She enjoyed the people, culture, history, and food in all the places she visited.

The family would like to thank all her caregivers at Montage Creek for their care during her final two years.  Hope West’s assistance with her hospice care was greatly appreciated. Additionally, Bertha, Daniela, Jessi, and Jessica, her companions and overnight caregivers, deserve recognition for their invaluable support in ensuring her safety, providing attentive care, and showering her with love throughout her journey.

Madaline has made her final journey to be with the Lord. She will be greatly missed by many but especially by her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Norman, and daughter Linda Miller. She is survived by her sister, Ellouise Pruett (Robert), children, Kellie Bayne, Peter Powers-Lake (Patrick), Leonard Lake, and Rachel Lake; grandsons, Shawn Powers-Lake and Christian Powers-Lake, sister-in-law, June (Lake) Hinzman; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Madaline will be buried next to her husband Norm in Leadville, in the Evergreen Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at the Eagles Lodge, 812 Hemlock St, Leadville, CO, on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 12:00 PM. A funeral mass for Madaline will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1855 St. Mary’s Dr, Montrose, CO, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM, followed by a gathering in the Parish Hall. Crippin Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sharing Ministries Food Bank or Golden Circle Seniors in Montrose, CO.

Sharing Ministries Food Bank

49 North 1st Street

Montrose, CO 81401-3660

(970) 240-8385

https://sharingministries.com/donate/

Golden Circle Seniors

Send Donations to:

1800 Pavilion Dr

Montrose, CO 81401

(970) 252-4888