September 2, 1922 – September 20, 2024
Irene Stella Huck Staats passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 20, with her family at her side. She was 102, and lived a vibrant and joy-filled life with many blessings which she shared graciously.
She was born to Andy Demanski and Stella Boroski in Valier, Illinois. At the age of 16, she moved to Arvada to live with her father and stepmother. She married Gerald Huck on Dec. 14, 1941, and had four children: Gerald, Michael, Allen and Anna Maria.
In 1968, her husband Gerald passed. That summer she temporarily moved to Central City, where she ran the family candy shop, Huck’s Candies, for the summer tourist seasons, until they lost their lease from the Teller House. In 1971 she bought and ran a tourist attraction called The Lost Gold Mine, adding a gift shop to the front of the entrance. At this time, she moved to the house that was next door to the mine.
She retired in 1990 and moved to Battlement Mesa, where she met and married Burton Staats in 1995. Together they lived and enjoyed the amenities of the area until Burt passed in 2008.
In 2009, she moved to Crystal Meadows Senior Housing in Carbondale to be close to her family. In Carbondale she remained very active, quilting, gardening, baking her famous pies and socializing, alongside activities at Saint Mary of the Crown Catholic Church.
In March of 2024, she moved to Sopris Lodge in Carbondale, where she lived comfortably until her passing. She was a very devout Catholic, and especially loved the Rosary.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Huck; son, Gerald; and husband, Burt Staats.
Irene is survived by her daughter-in-law, Joyce Huck; son, Michael Huck (Jan); son, Allen Huck (Judy); daughter, Anna Maria Whalen (Mark).
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Irene’s services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Saint Mary of the Crown Catholic Church, 397 White Hill Road, Carbondale: rosary 9:30am, funeral mass 10am, followed by a reception at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in remembrance of Irene to HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley, 823 Grand Ave, Suite 300, Glenwood Springs; Carbondale Senior Housing Corporation, 1250 Hendrick Drive, Carbondale; or Saint Mary of the Crown Altar and Rosary, 397 White Hill Road, Carbondale.