Lela Gordon Schnaufer

Lela Gordon Schnaufer was born on January 27, 1956 in Lamar, Colorado to Victor and Sarah Schnaufer. She was born with cognitive and physical disabilities which affected her throughout her life. Lela grew up on her family ranch, starting school in Campo, Colorado and completed first grade before moving with her family to Brighton, Colorado where her father worked managing a horse farm. Lela was enrolled in a school for children with challenges and she attended that school until her father accepted a job in Lamar, Colorado. It was there that she was enrolled in Melvin School in Lamar where she attended for a short time.

In the interest of a better future, she moved to Colorado Springs on August 1, 1974 at the age of 18 where she became a part of the Cheyenne Village Family. This was to be her home until young adulthood. Originally, Lela had a cabin in Manitou Springs where she participated in a training program at the Lodge in housekeeping and laundry service. This was to prepare her for being job eligible.

Lela loved to go skiing, riding horses, participating in The Arts and Crafts Project made for Seniors as well as other client activities. Jigsaw puzzles, Word Search, paint-by number, and watching western movies were favorite pastimes. She also loved to travel, having gone to California and Hawaii with her friends. She attended New Life Church.

As she gained more independence, Lela was able to move to the group home, Pearl House, where she resided until her passing. There she was housemates with five other individuals. She established friendships and close bonds with the support staff who all became her family.

Wesley Grannes, Residential Supervisor for Cheyenne Village had this to share, “Lela was always telling funny stories, and she would laugh with a laugh that was so genuine and pure. No matter where she went, someone always knew Lela, and it was a true joy to see her face light up when she saw a friend while she was out and about. Over the years, Lela has touched so many lives inside and outside her community and has left an imprint on every person she came in contact with. Lela will always be a cornerstone of Cheyenne Village. Lela is and will always be truly missed.”

The foregoing is a simple fact. The important thing in her life is that she was loved and a well-known individual in her close-knit community. Her resiliency and toughness became legendary among those who worked and lived with her.

Lela was predeceased by her parents and Aunts and Uncles, Jerry and Earl Schnaufer and Jesse and Paula Deen. She is survived by cousins Dennis Deen, Rick Deen (Cecelia), Leslie Bell (Dana), Phillip Schnaufer, and Mike Schnaufer (Dona).

The family is planning a private graveside service to honor Lela.