Veronica L Kenkel

Veronica Luisa Kenkel 1946-2026

A retired teacher, who declared that she would quit when the kids stop making her laugh, but that day never came. Veronica Luisa Kenkel passed away at the age of 80, in Arvada, CO on August 21st, 2026

She was born in Saguache in 1946 to Manuel and Luisa Samora, who were kind and loving parents who raised 11 children with grace and dignity. She always remembered love, laughter, working hard and having sheep and rabbits in the yard in the small town. She worked in high school at the Dinner Bell to help out the family and save for college. She attended high school in Saguache before moving on to study education at Adams State College, she did her student teaching in Adams District 14 and settled at Central Elementary in Commerce City for her 30 year career. She taught every single grade from kindergarten to fifth grade, as well as being instrumental in bringing computers to the school and running the computer lab. She was also known for running the school Christmas store as a project for her fifth graders every year to teach them math and other skills, while raising funds for things the school needed.

Veronica met the love of her life, Michael Kenkel, in 1974 while attending his father’s wedding. She accused him of stalking her through the parking lot as his sister had ducked down in the front seat and she did not recognize the man or the pickup truck following her through the parking lot. They were married in March 22, 1975 in Denver and made their first home in Commerce City.

Veronica and Michael started their marriage with two children from Michael’s previous marriage, Michele and Michael. They soon added to the family with Veronica Renee and Leo. They moved to Arvada a few years after marriage and many happy family memories were made in the family home, various camping and road trips, and numerous outings and events.

Veronica was blessed with seven grandchildren (Robbie, Randy, Ricky, Briar, Emma, Avery and Adrien) and eight great grandchildren (Stetson, James, Beau, Matthew, Riggins, Reagan, Camille, and Timothy). She enjoyed being a grandparent and spoiling the children with as much love as possible.

Veronica had a soft spot for the family dogs and her joy in her last years was Chiquito her Maltese, he was always groomed with a cute bow tie.

Veronica was an active member of Spirit of Christ and Saint Agnes Church in Saguache.

Veronica loved to garden, her yard was her pride and joy and often compared to a botanical garden or park, and was filled with everything from roses to portulaca. Later in life she loved to paint, taking many classes and learning something new at every one.

Veronica will always be remembered for her ready smile and laugh, and her way of making everyone feel special and loved. We could not have asked for a better person in our lives and will treasure her memory knowing that she touched many lives in her career as a teacher and yet always had smiles and hugs for her family at the end of the day.

Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Luisa, her brothers Sirio, Leo, Art, her sisters Carrie, Mabel, Dorothy, Ruth, and Betty Jean, and her granddaughter Briar and is survived by her husband Michael, her sister Lena and brother Elvie(Stacy), her children Michele(Robert), Michael(Anita), Veronica(Robert), and Leo(Stacy), her grandchildren Robbie(Mindy), Randy(Aubrey), Ricky(Emma), Emma, Avery and Adrien, and her great grandchildren Stetson, James, Beau, Matthew, Riggins, Reagan, Camille and Timothy.

Service is September 18th 2026 11:00 am, at Spirit of Christ Church in Arvada, CO.