Denise Rene (Chili) Childers was born March 29, 1957 in Eagle CO. to Robert and Sandy Childers, the 2nd of 3 children in Eagle where her maternal grandmother was a nurse. They lived in Walden till 1965 when they moved to Steamboat. Denise was active in Jr. High and High School sports of gymnastics and track. She was also a cheerleader and avid skier. Her father, Bob Sr., was a member of the volunteer National Ski Patrol and Denise was known to hit the slopes right after school to assist her father sweeping the slopes for straggling skiers. After H.S. she spent 3 semesters at Western State, then went to Springfield, MO. to visit H.S. friend Debbie Weiszbrod and met Jim. She decided there were other paths to pursue than college. Denise and Jim were married June 17th, 1978. After a year in Memphis, TN., they moved back to Steamboat where Christa was born October 4, 1979. It wasn't long before Denise and Diane Decker bought Big Bear Floral and spent the next 9 years in the flower business. Jessica was born October 20th of 1982 and was the original flower child being raised in the flower shop. Denise honed her accounting / bookkeeping skills in the floral business. In the ladies sold their floral business. Shortly thereafter Denise became the secretary/receptionist for Steamboat Assembly of God which later became Steamboat Christian Center. Denise's talent with finance soon garnered her a position as the church treasurer, and later she eagerly accepted a coveted bookkeeping position at Steamboat H.S. During her tenure at SSHS, she also spent time coaching the hurdlers and assisting Andy Reust with the track team.

In August of 2015 she was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, MDS. She endured monthly infusions at YVMC till she experienced a bad reaction in July 2016. She was helicoptered to Presbyterian/St. Luke hospital where she remained receiving a stem cell transplant and recovering till Dec. 16th when she and Jim moved back home to Steamboat. On Dec. 23 she learned that the Leukemia was back. She was given the choice of living 3 – 4 months while receiving blood and platelet transfusions or 2-3 weeks with no transfusions. After one blood transfusion, she decided her heavenly home was the best option and discontinued all procedures but kept up her medications. Continuing to live at home, she rapidly declined in stamina and weight till the night of Jan. 13th when she stumbled returning to bed and broke her hip. This worsened a declining

situation. On Wed. Jan. 18, Nisey as her grandchildren called her, lost the battle to Leukemia but won the war with a "Welcome home my good and faithful servant" from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Denise was preceded in death by her father, Robert G. Childers. She is survived by her husband James Pearson, daughter Christa (David) Ikard, daughter Jessica (Bryan) Koppe, her three grandchildren, Terrell, Elsah and Magnolia, her mother, Sandra Childers, her brother Robert L. Childers and her sister Cindy Faulkner.

A celebration of her life will be held February 4th at 11 a.m. at Steamboat Springs High School. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Steamboat High School Athletics c/o Denise Pearson Memorial Fund. Mailing address 45 E. Maple St. SS. CO. 80487