Estelle Hodel Postlewaite

About

Texas Tech University

FUNERAL HOME

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

501 North Cascade Avenue

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Estelle Postlewaite Obituary

Estelle Hodel Postlewaite, age 97, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday after a short illness. Born in Lockney, Texas to first generation German immigrants on March 21, 1919, she was the youngest of nine children. Growing up on a cotton farm in the Texas Panhandle into a hardworking German family, she quickly learned the virtues of thriftiness, independence, a strong faith in God, and compassion for others. She graduated from high school at age 16 and Texas Tech University at age 20, where she was active in the Tri-Delta sorority. She taught school for several years and later worked as a secretary. In 1942, she married the love of her life, Jim, then a major in the Army Air Corps, at Reese AFB, Lubbock, TX. She and Jim raised two boys as the family moved frequently to different duty stations across the US and overseas, including a tour in Ankara, Turkey. In 1964, following Jim's retirement from the Air Force, the family relocated to Colorado Springs. Jim was a civil service employee wth the AF until his death in 1976.

Estelle was the consummate officer's wife and an extraordinary hostess, cook, gardener, mother, and grandmother. She loved her home and garden where she spent untold hours. She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church. Her family came first for her whom she loved very much. Never complaining, she cared for her son James who suffered a brain injury during birth for over 70 years. She was a staunch advocate for the mentally and physically challenged. In the 1960's, she served as the president of the El Paso Association for Retarded Citizens and played key roles in bringing Goodwill Industries sheltered workshops to Colorado Springs and also the establishment of Cheyenne Village and their Respite Care Center, serving on their boards for several terms. She enjoyed playing bridge, entertaining, traveling with friends, and visiting her son Craig and his family at his duty stations, including those in Spain and Germany.

She is survived by her two sons, James Warren Postlewaite, Jr., of Colorado Springs and Col (Ret) R. Craig Postlewaite and his wife Betty Jo, of Burke, VA. She also leaves behind two very loving and devoted grandchildren, David Postlewaite, Oakland, CA, and Brooke Postlewaite, Arlington,VA. She will be greatly missed by all who knew this vivacious, gracious, and caring woman.

The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to Goodwill Possibilities, 1460 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, 80907

A memorial service for Estelle will be held Saturday, April 16 at 10 AM at Swan-law Funeral Home, 501 N. Cascade Ave with interment at Evergreen Cemetery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Apr. 14, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Estelle Postlewaite

11 Entries

ROBERT HERHOLZ

March 24, 2020

R.I.P. MS. ESTELLE POSTLEWAITE

Brian Hosterman

May 7, 2016

OMG, I feel so bad that I lost touch with Aunt Estelle. I still remember our visit to her home in Colorado Springs when we returned from the Philippines. RIP and my heart goes out to her kids and grand kids.

Karen Larsson

April 18, 2016

Craig and BJ,
Your mother's obit was very touching. She lived an amazing life. May fond memories and the love of your family and friends be a comfort and support at this sad time.

Cheryl Perkins

April 18, 2016

Jimmy, Craig and family,
Bear Paw Lane will never be the same without your amazing mother outside gardening, shoveling snow or clearing ice! What a tremendous example of gracious tenacity and determined faithfulness! Estelle Postlewaite -- a delightful testimony of the goodness and sacrificial love of God! Praying for all of you as you adjust to this new stage of life. Please give Jimmy a "hello hug." He will be very missed as well!
Cheryl Perkins

Lynn Birmele Mclean

April 15, 2016

Mrs P. was always a favorite! I'll never forget holidays dinners with all the military families no matter where we all lived. She and my mom are together again....BFF's forever!!

April 14, 2016

What a what a woman! I have seen much of her in Craig and some of her in Jimmy. Thank you, God, and thank you, Estelle. Deryl

April 14, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your entire family, Craig. We so much enjoyed the brief time we spent with your mother when she visited you here last, and wish we had been able to get to know her even better. May God be your constant companion as you go through this difficult transition.
Ed and BJ (Fairfax, VA)

Bill Lowrey

April 14, 2016

Dear Craig, BJ, Jimmy, Brooke and David, Your care and support for Estelle during this time has been an inspiration. Thank you for writing such a wonderful obit that gives us a wonderful peak into her incredible life. May all of you find floods of memories that encourage you, comfort you and give you laughter with your tears. And may so many of her values and faith and her living examples become so integrated into your lives that you will actually be extending her life in your own lives. The Lord be with you. We hold you in prayer and look forward to welcoming you back home in Virginia when your responsibilities are completed there in Colorado Springs. We love you all, Bill Lowrey & Alice Petersen (Haymarket, VA)

Victoria and James Munthali

April 14, 2016

We never met this daughter of God, but she surely passed to her son whom we have come to know and love the kind of qualities and character she must have held so dearly as an example to many who interacted with her. May the Lord rest her in eternal in peace!

Beverly & Stan Bruntz

April 14, 2016

Condolences on the passing of your mother. It sounds like she was a remarkable women and I'm sure she will be missed dearly. Our thoughts are with you all. - Stan and Bev

Kathy Nelson

April 14, 2016

What a dear lady! Neighbor and First Pres acquaintance. Gentle, patient and kind to all she met. My condolences to the family. Sorry I will not be able to attend the services. You are all in my prayers. God Bless.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results