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Jack Donald Ilgen, Sr

In Loving Memory

Jack Donald Ilgen, “Papa Jack”, age 85 passed away on November 24, 2015 at the Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO due to heart failure following a fall at home.

Jack was born to Clark Ilgen, Sr. and Gretchen (Palmer) Ilgen, in Byers, CO on June 25, 1930.

Jack graduated from Basalt Union High, Basalt, CO. He was athletic and excelled particularly in Basketball. This attribute continued into adulthood were he found enjoyment by participating on the Aspen Baseball Team.

There are a few words that best describe “Papa Jack”.

First word to describe Jack is “Dependable”. In all the years working for Aspen Ski Corporation/Company, he only missed one day and it was due to his car having a collision with a deer on his way to work. Hospital check- battered and bruised he was back at work, after his scheduled two days off which followed the accident.

Jack joined the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department July 3, 1953. Badge number #2 and still wore his Jim Hayes 20th anniversary belt buckle with pride. He was known for jumping out of bed in the middle of the night in any type of weather to answer the Fire Bell. He liked to listen to the scanner like it was a radio show.

Second word is “Ornery”. He was a big kidder with a dry, fun and quirky sense of humor. Jack seemed rough on the outside, but when you got to know him he was a big softy. One niece says, “She remembers Jack as a Teddy Bear with a twinkle in his eye.” All the grandkids and great-grandkids love to rub Papa Jack’s peach fuzz head!

The third and best word is “Friend”. In the words of Will Rogers, Jack “never met a man he didn’t like.” He was always willing to lend a hand and would help anyone. Jack found joy in his affiliations with Aspen’s Eagles and Elks Clubs, which are known for helping people and creating lifelong friendships.

Everyone will miss ya Papa Jack.

Jack is survived by his wife Eloise (Griffiths) Ilgen, she resides in El Jebel/Carbondale, CO. Jack married Eloise on August 2, 1957 and became “Papa Jack” to James Albert Hamlin and Nancy Lee Hamlin. In 1964 Jack Donald Ilgen, Jr. “JD” was born, predeceased.

Granddaughters: From son James Hamlin and wife Linda (Barnes) Hamlin- Cheryl Kay Hamlin (deceased), Connie Elisabeth Hamlin (Power). From daughter; Nancy Hamlin and husband Robert J. Yust- Carrie Lee Yust (Bryson). Between them Papa Jack has seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Siblings and spouses as follows: Clark Ilgen, Jr. and wife Eileen (both deceased). Rena May Ilgen (Smith) and husband Joe Smith (both deceased). Phyllis Ilgen (Smith) and husband Harold (Puppy) Smith (deceased). Paul Ilgen and wife Shirley (deceased). Widowed Clark Ilgen, Sr. married Iola (Ewers) Ilgen. And then Earl Ilgen and wife Jenne. Harry Ilgen (deceased) and wife Clara. Marion Ilgen and his wife Jacquie (deceased). Between the Siblings there are many loved nieces and nephews most of whom Jack was/is “their favorite Uncle”.

Jack’s attentiveness to detail and his memory was phenomenal. He was organized in a world of colorful chaos and always knew all the names of all the kids, grand kids, greats, nieces, nephews, and what was happening in their lives, he genuinely cared!

Memorial Service will be announced at later date.


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