Denise Jean Pearce was born April 15, 1961, to Tom and Ruth Pearce in Glenwood Springs, Colo. She grew up on the family ranch in Meeker and attended the Meeker schools, having been graduated in 1979. She received her associate degree in applied science in animal health technology from Colorado Mountain College in 1981. She was employed as a certified vet technician at the Meeker Veterinary Clinic for many years. Denise also worked at the White River Inn and spent 25 years tending bar, 16 of which were at Sleepy Cat guest ranch. Many of her fondest memories and lifelong friendships were from her years at Sleepy Cat.
Denise was always involved in the family ranch and assumed operation of the ranch upon the death of her father in 2007. She loved her cows and often said, “There’s just hardly anything better than a cow.”
Denise never hesitated to speak her mind or voice her opinions. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and the Denver Broncos and will always be remembered for her amazing wit.
Denise is survived by: her sister, Chris; brother and sister-in-law, Hal and Julie; and nieces and nephews Matt, Jim and Tom, Heidi and Hallie Pearce.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents and an infant brother, Mark.
A celebration of Denise’s life will be held in Meeker on May 30, 2015.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Rio Blanco County Historical Society (RBCHS), www.rioblancocounty.org or mail to: Janet Clark, 5967 CR 6, Meeker, Colo., 81641 for the society’s rural schools project in memory of Denise Pearce; or to HopeWest-Meeker, www.hopewestco.org (select Meeker), or mail to: 575 Third St., Meeker, Colo. 81641 in memory of Denise Pearce
Denise was a person you couldn’t help but like. She had a fantastic sense of humor. She was quick witted and priceless sarcastic. I loved her no-nonsense attitude and the person she was.
A favorite story: when she worked at the Rustic and the new manager was saying all the female bartenders had to start wearing white button up shirt and short black skirts. Denise said, “It’ll be a cold day in hell before they get this ass of mine into a skirt. This is a bar in Meeker, NOT Hooters!” Nobody was going to tell her how it was going to be. She’d have walked and never looked back. And they’d have lost an excellent employee.
I’ll miss you Denise. You were one of a kind!