Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Zita Weinshienk Obituary
WEINSHIENK, JUDGE ZITA LEESON
April 3, 1933 - October 7, 2022
Zita Weinshienk passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on October 7, 2022 at the age of 89. Born Zita Kay Leeson on April 3, 1933 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Ada Dubov Leeson and Louis Leeson, Zita moved west with her family in 1945 to find a healthier environment for her younger brother with asthma. They settled in Tucson, Arizona where they opened a furniture upholstery business and welcomed her second brother into the family. Zita attended the University of Colorado from 1952 until 1954 during which time she met her first husband, Hubert Troy Weinshienk. In order to save up for graduate school, Zita returned to Arizona to complete her senior year and graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona in 1955. She decided on a career in law and in the fall of 1955 became one of the few women to be admitted to Harvard Law School. Harvard had begun admitting women only two years prior. Zita's friend from CU, Hubert Weinshienk, was in her class at Harvard and they were married during their second year. Zita graduated from Harvard Law School, cum laude, in 1958. She attended the University of Copenhagen on a Fulbright Scholarship the following year.
Zita returned to Colorado to begin her legal career and ranked number one on the Colorado Bar Exam. Her first job as lawyer was Probation Counselor, Legal Advisor and Referee for the Denver Juvenile Court. In 1964, Zita became Denver's first female jurist, when she was appointed as a Municipal Judge. A year later, Zita became a Denver County Court Judge where she served until 1972 when she was appointed as a District Court Judge. On October 10, 1979 Zita became the first woman to serve as a United States District Court Judge in the State of Colorado when she was appointed by President Jimmy Carter. In 1998, Zita became a Senior United States District Court Judge. She retired in 2011 at the age of 77.
Zita was committed to inspiring women and people of color to pursue careers in law. She was very proud to have her legacy carried on by her granddaughter, Samara Hoose, who is an attorney in Denver, and by her step-daughter, Monica Haenselman, who is a District Court Magistrate in Boulder. Of the numerous accolades and awards Zita received during her 47 year tenure on the bench, she was particularly honored to have been inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.
Zita had a remarkable career, and her life was marked not only by her brilliance as a jurist, but by her love of her family. She had three daughters with her husband Hugh, who passed away in 1983. She later married Jim Schaffner and welcomed Jim's children into her family.
Zita loved to travel and had a deep appreciation of nature. She was an avid skier, hiker, and birdwatcher. She spent many happy years skiing and hiking in the Colorado mountains. After Jim's death in 2010, Zita moved to California to be closer to her daughters. She enjoyed the final years of her life living with her grandchildren, Oscar and Bar Olesker, and their three children, with many other family members close by.
Zita is survived by her three daughters, Ita (Edie) Weinshienk Olesker (David), Kay Weinshienk, and Darcy Weinshienk, her four step-children, her 19 grandchildren, and her 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ada and Louis Leeson, her brothers Alan Leeson and Michael Leeson, her first husband Hubert Weinshienk, and her second husband, James Schaffner.
Zita was a genuine trailblazer. She was determined and thoughtful, generous and kind. She was beloved by her staff, her friends, and her family. She will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Celebration of Zita's life will be held in Colorado in June 2023. If you would like to be notified of the specific date and location, please send an email to [email protected].
An oral history of Zita Leeson Weinshienk is available at:
https://abawtp.law.stanford.edu/exhibits/show/zita-l-weinshienk
Donations in her honor may be made to The Nature Conservancy, https:www.nature.org/ 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1606
April 3, 1933 - October 7, 2022
Zita Weinshienk passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on October 7, 2022 at the age of 89. Born Zita Kay Leeson on April 3, 1933 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Ada Dubov Leeson and Louis Leeson, Zita moved west with her family in 1945 to find a healthier environment for her younger brother with asthma. They settled in Tucson, Arizona where they opened a furniture upholstery business and welcomed her second brother into the family. Zita attended the University of Colorado from 1952 until 1954 during which time she met her first husband, Hubert Troy Weinshienk. In order to save up for graduate school, Zita returned to Arizona to complete her senior year and graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona in 1955. She decided on a career in law and in the fall of 1955 became one of the few women to be admitted to Harvard Law School. Harvard had begun admitting women only two years prior. Zita's friend from CU, Hubert Weinshienk, was in her class at Harvard and they were married during their second year. Zita graduated from Harvard Law School, cum laude, in 1958. She attended the University of Copenhagen on a Fulbright Scholarship the following year.
Zita returned to Colorado to begin her legal career and ranked number one on the Colorado Bar Exam. Her first job as lawyer was Probation Counselor, Legal Advisor and Referee for the Denver Juvenile Court. In 1964, Zita became Denver's first female jurist, when she was appointed as a Municipal Judge. A year later, Zita became a Denver County Court Judge where she served until 1972 when she was appointed as a District Court Judge. On October 10, 1979 Zita became the first woman to serve as a United States District Court Judge in the State of Colorado when she was appointed by President Jimmy Carter. In 1998, Zita became a Senior United States District Court Judge. She retired in 2011 at the age of 77.
Zita was committed to inspiring women and people of color to pursue careers in law. She was very proud to have her legacy carried on by her granddaughter, Samara Hoose, who is an attorney in Denver, and by her step-daughter, Monica Haenselman, who is a District Court Magistrate in Boulder. Of the numerous accolades and awards Zita received during her 47 year tenure on the bench, she was particularly honored to have been inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.
Zita had a remarkable career, and her life was marked not only by her brilliance as a jurist, but by her love of her family. She had three daughters with her husband Hugh, who passed away in 1983. She later married Jim Schaffner and welcomed Jim's children into her family.
Zita loved to travel and had a deep appreciation of nature. She was an avid skier, hiker, and birdwatcher. She spent many happy years skiing and hiking in the Colorado mountains. After Jim's death in 2010, Zita moved to California to be closer to her daughters. She enjoyed the final years of her life living with her grandchildren, Oscar and Bar Olesker, and their three children, with many other family members close by.
Zita is survived by her three daughters, Ita (Edie) Weinshienk Olesker (David), Kay Weinshienk, and Darcy Weinshienk, her four step-children, her 19 grandchildren, and her 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ada and Louis Leeson, her brothers Alan Leeson and Michael Leeson, her first husband Hubert Weinshienk, and her second husband, James Schaffner.
Zita was a genuine trailblazer. She was determined and thoughtful, generous and kind. She was beloved by her staff, her friends, and her family. She will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Celebration of Zita's life will be held in Colorado in June 2023. If you would like to be notified of the specific date and location, please send an email to [email protected].
An oral history of Zita Leeson Weinshienk is available at:
https://abawtp.law.stanford.edu/exhibits/show/zita-l-weinshienk
Donations in her honor may be made to The Nature Conservancy, https:www.nature.org/ 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1606
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Denver Post on Oct. 16, 2022.
Memories and Condolences
for Zita Weinshienk
Sponsored by The Denver Post.
1 Entry
Ruth Malman
December 5, 2022
As a 1978 member of the bar, it was an honor to have Judge Weinshienk as a role model. May her memory be for blessing. Ruth Malman
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results
Make a Donation
in Zita Weinshienk's name
Memorial Events
for Zita Weinshienk
How to support Zita's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Zita Weinshienk's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
