Gwendolyn Ruth Hallenbeck

Gwendolyn ('Gwen') Ruth Hallenbeck (née Leitzinger), age 99, of Hotchkiss, Colorado, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado.

Gwen was born on her family's farm in Hotchkiss, Colo., on August 21, 1926, to Lettie Cribb Leitzinger and Joseph Leitzinger. She spent her early years in Hotchkiss, graduating from Hotchkiss High School in 1944.

After graduating from Hotchkiss High School, Gwen attended Colorado Women's College in Denver, Colo., where she earned a bachelor's degree in vocal music. Gwen continued her education at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo., earning a master's degree in music.

After graduating from Colorado College, Gwen was a secretary for the Colorado Cattlemen's Association in Denver, Colo. She was representing the Association at the National Western Stock Show in Denver when she met her husband-to-be, Charles. They married on June 21, 1951, and shared 60 years of loving marriage.

In the early fifties, Gwen and Charles commuted between Whitewater, Colo., and Laramie, Wyo. While in Whitewater, Charles managed his father's cattle ranch and Gwen cooked for the many ranch hands working there. In Laramie, Gwen directed the University of Wyoming's Madrigal Choir and Charles worked on his bachelor's degree. Their son Joe was born during this time.

After Charles completed his studies, Gwen and Charles moved to Boulder, Colo., where their daughter Amy was born. Gwen's years in Boulder were spent raising her two children and participating in Tuesday Morning Music Club, Festival Music Choir, and the Chancel Choir of the First Methodist Church, through which she helped organize the church's annual Rummage Sale fundraiser. She also gave voice lessons in Macky Auditorium on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder.

In 1979, Gwen and Charles returned to Gwen's family home in Hotchkiss, where they cared for Gwen's parents and operated the family farm growing delicious peaches, apples, and pears. During this time, Gwen also served as a member of the Hotchkiss Community United Methodist Church Choir and Peace Circle, through which she was a co-founder and volunteer at the Wear House Clothing Thrift Shop in Hotchkiss. Now known as Rita's Wear House Thrift Shop, the store raises funds to support local organizations, assist those in need, and provide scholarships to students.

Throughout her adult life, Gwen was a noted soprano soloist, singing in countless church services, weddings, and funerals. She was often the soprano soloist in special presentations and oratorios (her favorite being Handel's 'Messiah'). She was also a gifted pianist, able to read music and play by ear. Gwen often accompanied choirs and other soloists and could play any song requested during a club or family gathering-without written music. Gwen also remained a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, an organization to which she belonged for 62 years through Chapter EQ in Boulder and Chapter GT in Hotchkiss. She was recognized as a "Golden Girl" after 50 years of membership.

Gwen also had a vast knowledge of and interest in antiques, studying and scouting for them in the most unusual places.

Family and friends from near and far gathered to celebrate Gwen's 90th birthday in 2016 after a county-wide party invitation was published in the Delta County Independent newspaper. A lunch at Zack's BBQ restaurant in Hotchkiss was provided for all in attendance. Gwen celebrated her 99th birthday just weeks before her passing.

Gwen is survived by her son, Joe Hallenbeck and wife, Mary Kay, of Timnath, Colo.; her daughter, Amy Hauptman and husband, Gary, of Boulder, Colo.; her granddaughter, Katie Hallenbeck and husband, Sean Bowden, of Evergreen, Colo.; her grandson Will Hauptman and wife, Emily, of Denver, Colo.; her grandson Eric Hauptman and wife, Amber, of Boulder, Colo.; her great-grandchildren, Axel Bowden, River Bowden, and James Hauptman; her sister-in-law, Carol Hallenbeck of Delta, Colo.; many nieces and nephews; and many friends whom she loved dearly.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Lettie Cribb and Joseph Leitzinger; her husband, Charles V. Hallenbeck (2011); and her grandson Charles ('Charlie') J. Hallenbeck (2014).

Gwen's family reflected on some of the memories they had of her over her long and beautiful life. Amy remembers Gwen as a mom, a lifelong companion and a friend, as well as a highly charismatic person and extremely gifted musician-a unique individual. Joe remembers her hosting the family in Leadville where she caught fish with his son, Charlie. Gwen would often catch the biggest fish with casts that extended only a few feet from the boat.

Gwen's grandchildren remember her unconditional love for and pride in her family, and making fresh apple juice and peach jam together on the family farm at the end of every summer.

Gwen loved her church, her family, her friends, and her home. We acknowledge and greatly appreciate the many friends that cared for her, enabling her to stay in her home for as long as she did.

A talented and special lady, Gwen will long be remembered as a joyful, kind, caring, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She is greatly missed.

If you would like to make a donation in Gwen's memory, please consider donating to the Peace Circle. Funds will be used to award scholarships benefiting Hotchkiss High School students seeking higher education-a project that gave Gwen great joy.

Donations can be sent to:

Peace Circle

P.O. Box 576

Hotchkiss, CO 81419

A memorial service is planned for 11:00 AM, November 1, 2025, at the Hotchkiss Community United Methodist Church (285 2nd St., Hotchkiss, CO 81419). A luncheon at the church will follow.