Marcia J. Eder

Marcia Jean Eder

September 27, 1949 – July 18, 2026

Marcia Jean Eder, 76, of Brush, Colorado, passed away after a brief illness on July 18th at Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Born Marcia Jean Wamsley, she entered the world on September 27, 1949 in Denver, Colorado, to Dolores Jean Russell and John Edward Wamsley.

Marcia grew up in Denver, Colorado alongside her siblings, Thomas Edward and Dennis Lloyd. She graduated from Denver West High School in 1968. Marcia was not a big fan of school and actually quit. However, after the unexpected passing of her father at the young age of 44, she went back to finish high school because she learned he had been planning to attend her graduation without knowing she dropped out. She spoke often of her mother taking her to Broncos games and on ski trips, or being involved in politics, but Marcia didn’t find those things exciting and instead preferred a more quiet lifestyle. To her children, her “big city” upbringing was glamorous and foreign, given they were raised in small towns. As a teen, she had close friends with whom she attended concerts at Red Rocks, ran around the southwest suburbs of Denver, and drove into the mountains. One of her favorite memories to recall was going to the mountains with friends and playing the game Up Table in a spooky, historic cemetery.

In 1970, Marcia and her partner, Arden Glen Hamrick, welcomed a baby boy named Glen Edward. On May 14,1971, infant daughter Elizabeth Jean entered the world too early and passed three days later. She was buried next to her Grandpa Wamsley. In 1973, they welcomed a healthy baby girl named Jennifer Suzanne. Marcia and Arden Glen separated shortly after. In pursuit of that quieter lifestyle, Marcia moved to Limon and then Flagler, where she worked at NAPA. In 1977, Marcia met David Leroy Eder. Marcia, Glen and Jennifer eventually moved to Arriba, Colorado, with David, a half mile from the Eder Farm. To that relationship, Carianne May was born in 1979. During their time in Arriba, Marcia was the typical “farmer’s wife”, growing a garden, helping with the cattle and cooking meals during harvest. Marcia also did odd cleaning jobs in the area for a number of people who fondly remember her and how hard she worked. Her main cleaning job during this time was as the housekeeper at The Tarado Mansion, owned at the time by Sterling Shull and his partner. In 1983, David took an opportunity to purchase the Brand Inn Iron in Stratton, Colorado. The family moved to Stratton and operated the bar for seven years. It was during this time that Marcia and David officially tied the knot on July 26th,1984. Two years later, they welcomed Anna Marie to the family. After all her children were nearly raised, Marcia and David parted ways, but she remained in Stratton. Her roots and life were firmly planted along the I-70 corridor of Eastern Colorado, which she would point out when meeting new people. Her mother had graduated high school in Byers, and her Dad’s family resided in the Strasburg/Bennett area.

Marcia worked at the Golden Prairie Inn in Stratton for 13 years as the Head of Housekeeping. She took great pride in her work and meeting the standards of the Best Western brand. When the Claremont Inn opened, she also cleaned and assisted in hosting. She was proud of her association with the Claremont as a posh lodging/dining experience in Eastern Colorado. She was arguably the hardest worker in any space and later in life, had no patience for her children or grandchildren stalling to complete some task she deemed important! In her adult life, she relished the simplicity of small town living. She loved finding cool rocks and pieces of wood, or re-purposing “junk”. She made shabby chic cool before it was a trend!

Working as a housekeeper for so many years eventually took a toll on her body, especially her knees and hands, and she decided she would retire. After her retirement, she kept herself busy working odd jobs around town, since she wasn't one to just “sit around and do nothing”. Working kept Marcia busy, but her best time spent was with her 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. With a 16 year age difference between her oldest child Glen and her youngest child Anna, Marcia spent 34 years supporting her children's childhood endeavors, especially sports activities. Support of her children's activities carried over to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, up until the time of her passing. All of her children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren participated in sports and, according to her, with much success! This was something she was very proud of, regardless of the fact that she had little knowledge of these sports. Marcia was a gymnast in her younger years, and an accomplished bowler as an adult, something she never failed to remind her grandchildren about! She enjoyed her time in the bowling league with her close friends Chris, Joyce and Terry, and even won the Class C state bowling title with them in 1989.

In January of this year Marcia moved to Brush to be closer to her daughters due to declining health. She was able to spend her time attending several of the grandkids and great-grandkid activities and sporting events. She was eternally proud of all of the kids’ accomplishments, often stating how they were all SO good at their chosen sport (the best on the field or court in her opinion), SO smart, or how they were growing up to be SO good looking, even if they did “have the personality of their mother!”

Marcia had a number of things in life that brought her joy…an eclectic taste in music, concerts, bowling, displaying family photos, puzzling, crossword puzzles, historic events, gameshow TV, collecting junk (or to her, treasures–especially her collection of hurricane lamps), Walmart trips and Christmas decorating. She loved working in her yard and did so every day until her body made it too difficult to do so. She was especially proud when she won Garden Club “Yard of the Month”. Marcia was “famous” for retrofitting some tool or utensil for some other unintended purpose!

As a long time resident of Stratton, she developed special relationships over the years as an ally and friend. If she was given something nice, she, in return, loved to give it to someone else who she thought would like it or use it more. Marcia had a unique sense of humor, and probably was the most entertained when she thought she had one-upped you. She was a great card player and spent many holidays squarely beating others in a “friendly” game of Pitch.

Marcia was blessed to be involved with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and granddogs. The granddogs were spoiled by her, and she would often say she liked them best! She spent her life always available to help her children and grandchildren in ANY capacity. What was hers was theirs, regardless of life circumstances. She house sat, dog sat, baby sat, did home improvements, painted, did yard work, helped move, did laundry…time and time again. She was always just a quick phone call away. Marcia’s love language was acts of service. Many were lucky to experience it, and know her. When she entered a room, she made sure you knew it, and would just as soon say she preferred to go home and would leave. However, she always showed up. She will be deeply missed.

Marcia is survived by her son Glen Hamrick and daughters Jennifer Hamrick (Robert Mesch), Cari Witzel (Ryan), and Anna Westerholm (Greg); her grandchildren Ashleigh Friedly (Chance), Riley Lopez (McCyla), Raynie Harvey, Peyton Witzel, Luke Witzel, Hendrix Westerholm, Brexleigh Westerholm, Gabrielle Hamrick, Alexandra Hamrick and Caleb Hamrick; great grandchildren Benton, Trey and Kennedy Friedly, Callum Knitig and Amara Lopez; sister-in-law Joan Wamsley; nieces/nephews John and Dustin Wamsley, Cristina Grover, Jeremiah Higgins and their families.

Marcia was preceded in death by her parents John Edward Wamsley and Alwin and Dolores Riede, daughter Elizabeth Jean Hamrick, brothers Thomas Wamsley and Dennis Wamsley and nephew Dennis John Wamsley.

A memorial gathering will be held on September 13 from 1-5 pm at The Gathering Place (Senior Center) in Stratton, located at 132 Colorado Avenue. It is a come-and-go gathering and certainly come as you are, because Marcia would have!

Condolences and sympathy cards can be mailed to the family of Marcia Eder, in care of Cari Witzel, 12751 Pass Me By Rd., Strasburg, CO 80136.

Your love, support, and kindness are deeply appreciated.