Elizabeth Margarete Haytko was born May 24th, 1928 in Hanover Germany. She passed away April 5 ^th , 2020 at the Strafford Care Center in Strafford Missouri, due to complications of heart failure. She was 91. Her story was unique in that she met Hitler when she was 8 and told him she didn't like him.  She was precocious that way.  She was a strong woman, stubborn and opinionated, but deeply committed to her family.  She met her husband Paul after the Allies liberated Hanover.  She wasn't interested but he was an amazing dancer and she thought he could teach her.  Once she gave him the chance, he would not leave her alone.  She ditched him a few times, but he always came back. She finally gave in.  He sold his Leica camera for her passage to America on the Ernie Pyle.  She says when she arrived in NY Harbor, she had to decide whether to disembark and start a new life without her family and her country at 19 or head back.  She stayed on the ship until everyone was off.  Paul waited anxiously.  They had not seen each other in several months.  She made the decision and the rest is history.  Paul and Elizabeth married in Philadelphia on September 14 ^th , 1947.  They were married until Paul died of Alzheimer's on January 12, 2000.  Mom cared for him at home until the last week of his life.  They moved to Colorado to start a jewelry business in Denver.  Paul's eyesight deteriorated, so he got a job at the Denver Sheriffs Department.  He worked there until he retired in 1980. Elizabeth raised their 3 daughters to be independent thinkers.  She believed strongly in education and pushed hard for her daughters to go to college.  After Paul died, she was heartbroken and spent her days at home in Northglenn.  Slowly, she lost interest in life.  Her daughter Diana offered to have her move in with her in Springfield, Missouri, which she did in 2004.  Elizabeth and Diana had always had an amazing relationship and were best friends.  Over the course of 15 years, Elizabeth traveled the world with her daughter, Beijing, Shanghai, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Mexico.  In 2016, they took two months to explore the entire east coast from Estero Florida to Lincoln New Hampshire.  A trip of a lifetime.  Elizabeth lived with Diana in Missouri, Florida and most recently North Carolina.  They were inseparable. Because of this, Elizabeth made numerous friends all over the country and will be missed by adoptive family everywhere.  She lived independently during fall semesters and only entered the nursing home recently.  The staff was outstanding and treated her like their own mother.  She didn't want to be there, but she got to know the staff and was happy.  She didn't know many residents because she said, "those old people aren't with it anymore." She was 100% there mentally until the end. She loved all sports, but particularly football and was a Bronco fan until the end.  She loved baseball and had Cardinals tickets for a few years and was a mainstay at the Florida Gulf Coast University baseball games when Diana taught in Florida.  In the last days, she said her only regret was that she wouldn't be able to watch the Olympics and she wouldn't be here "to vote the nut out of office!"  That was Elizabeth.  She had one hell of a life and numerous adventures.  She is survived by her daughters; Diana Haytko, Donna Haytko-Paoa and Tanya Gonzales, her husband Fred, 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and everyone who got to meet her and spend time in her company all over the country.

She always planned ahead.  She purchased her cremation policy in 1976 and wanted no services. Her ashes will be scattered on Mount Lindo above Denver.  She asked you offer up a toast (she loved dark beer) to her.  In lieu of cards to the family, please send cheerful cards to your local nursing home.  Strafford Care Center was amazing in arranging for Diana to be with Elizabeth in her final days, but there are numerous others across this country that can not see family and are quarantined in their rooms.  Some have no televisions, or electronics or anything.  It's so sad and so depressing.  So please think of Elizabeth and mail happiness to your local nursing home.  She loved all the cards you all sent and was sure others will too.