Rhonda Lou Gendill-Olguin

Obituary:  Rhonda L. Parker Olguin

Rhonda Lou Parker Olguin, 75, of Brighton, Colorado, passed away in the comfort of her home on October 11. She was a cherished wife, mother, sister, auntie, and friend. Her presence will be deeply missed.

She was born to Maurice and Dolly (Barnes) Parker on October 15, 1949, in Ft Morgan, Colorado. She grew up on her family’s farm east of town. She attended the Ft. Morgan schools, graduating from FMHS in 1967. She attended CU in Boulder and worked at the Shirley Savoy Hotel in Denver before marrying Bill Gendill. Together they had a daughter, Bess.  They later divorced.

Rhonda met and married Fred Olguin in 1982; they had over 43 happy years together.  She was an avid Bronco fan and taught her nieces how to appropriately cheer on the “Defense” and critique the refs. Rhonda and Fred were known for hosting many family gatherings over the years, including for almost every Bronco game, Christmas dinners,  Super Bowls, and many other holidays as well as everyday get-togethers. 

Memorable travels included a Hawaiian cruise, trips to San Diego and Mexico with Bess and Chris, frequent trips to Las Vegas, and extended-family trips to New York, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. 

Rhonda enjoyed a wide range of music and attended concerts by artists such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. She played the piano; her signature piece was “Autumn Leaves.” She celebrated her 75th birthday with a concert by Uncle Barnaby and the Jude in her living room.

Promoting social justice was a priority for Rhonda. Her career was with Adams County Social Services. She began working in day care billing, became a supervisor, and was later  in charge of foster care payments, where she knew that careful accounting had an impact on each child in the program. Rhonda’s most devoted role was that of mother.

She is survived by her husband, Fred Olguin of Brighton; daughter Bess (Chris) Miller of San Diego; sisters Sherry (Stewart) Leach, Sue Fritchell, and Kitti Jean Parker (John Humphrey); brother Kipp (Paula) Parker, brothers-in-law Lou (Sue) Olguin, Jay (Shondell) Olguin; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on October 22 at Tabor-Rice Funeral Home, 75 S 13th Avenue, Brighton, CO. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Rhonda’s memory to:  Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org); and/or carry out an act of kindness in her honor.

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