Yvonne Bartley

Yvonne Louise Bartley, 85, passed away peacefully on September 3rd, 2021.  Born on her family’s farm in Leigh, Nebraska, she was the eldest child of three to Florence and Richard Koch.  The family later moved to Omaha, where Yvonne graduated St. Mary’s (Mercy) High School in 1954.  She loved her Catholic upbringing.  It would become the foundation of her life.  It was in these formative years that she made deep friendships that would last to this day.

On a blind date to the weekly “Dancing Under the Stars” at Omaha’s Peony Park, the road to love began for Yvonne and her future husband Jerry.  Yvonne and Jerry were married on June 11th, 1960, and soon began their family with the birth of their first daughter.  During these early years, they had multiple moves from Omaha to Kansas City, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Naples eventually settling in Grand Junction with their three daughters to start a new chapter in their lives.

Throughout their years in the Grand Valley, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, volunteering at her daughter’s schools and various local charities.  Many other interests brought her joy including dancing, collecting artwork, traveling, listening to music, watching birds, decorating her home for every occasion, celebrating birthdays………and especially talking with others and getting to know them!

Her family, her home, her faith, and cherished friends, made the good life that she so enjoyed.  We know you’re dancing in heaven!

Yvonne is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jerry Bartley; sister, Jeannette and Paul Gengler, Clive, IA; brother, John and Jean Koch, Omaha, NE; brother-in-law, David and Arlene Cooper, Madison, WI; daughters, Kathryn Bartley and Scott Gregory, Grand Lake, CO and Renee and Frazier Guy, Aurora, CO; grandchildren, Steven Otero, Spokane, WA; Abel “AJ” Otero, Ft. Collins, CO; and Dominique Guy, Denver, CO; as well as many other cherished family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Florence Koch; father and mother-in-law, Wayne and Helen Bartley; brother-in-law, Wayne R. Bartley; sister-in-law, Mardell Cooper (Bartley); and daughter, Lisa Marie Bartley.

A memorial mass in celebration of her life will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic church, 790 26 ½ Road, on Saturday, October 9th at 11:00 am.  Please join the family at the reception to follow.

Yvonne will be laid to rest, next to Lisa, in a private family burial at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Grand Junction.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Yvonne’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org or by mail at 225 N Michigan Ave, Floor 17, Chicago, IL  60601.