HEARTBREAKING NEWS: Her heart stopped. Her spirit soared.

Due to the untimely January 14, 2021, death of chef Meredith Sue (Merrie) Reckert, the upcoming series “Cooking with Merrie” has been infinitely postponed.

Possessed with a voracious appetite for life, fun, and learning, Merrie was a May Basket gift, born on May 1, 1958, to Robert Dean Reckert and Ann Rozeboom Reckert in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1976 and from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, with degrees in urban planning and press & public relations in 1981. Merrie settled in the Denver area where she remained for 40 years.

Merrie then began a lifelong career as a city planner, first at Greenwood Village, and later as a Senior City Planner for over 30 years at the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. In fact, her death occurred at a pet project of hers: Wheat Ridge’s Lutheran Medical Center. Her care there was phenomenal.

Her professional and civic interests include American Institute of Certified Planners, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Elks, Denver Audubon and the Molly Brown Museum. She loved dancing for three decades with her local Jazzercise friends.

Competitive at games and sports, Meredith excelled at cribbage, spades, Scrabble, Jeopardy, Pictionary, croquet, and ping-pong. Kayaking and slalom skiing on Lake Clitherall, Minnesota at the family lake cabin were dear to her heart. She followed ISU Cyclone sports and Denver Broncos fervently. A wicked mimic, her impersonations of Cookie Fleck (from Best in Show) and Julia Child were spot on. Merrie was known as a water and Halloween sprite, an avid reader, a lover of the environment, nurturer of all things green, & champion of human and animal rights.

She enthused over concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Rock Rapids’ beautiful Island Park, sunset bonfires on Lake Clitherall, and watching storms move through Colorado’s San Luis Basin from the Valley View Hot Springs. 

Merrie did not die of COVID-19 per se, but her gregarious, social nature was curtailed by isolation, and cause of death is ascribed to sepsis.

What will she be remembered for? Her contagious Cheshire Cat smile and mischievous light-filled green eyes; her heartfelt, infectious laughter; her lively interest in history; her inclusive, loving, big heart; her overwhelming care for the earth and all its inhabitants. She rescued both people and pets...all her life. Merrie and her daughter enjoyed tending their collective garden. While gardening in her absence will be never be the same, her memory and legacy will live on.

Meredith was preceded in death by her parents and older brother Bill, his wife Maureen and their son Michael, and recently, her precious Corgi Cashew. 

She is survived by her daughter Elise (Fernando) Garcia Alvarado, Tom Garcia, Grandma Nora Garcia, her older sister Robyn (Russ) Olson, niece Anna (Matthew) Mandel, nephews Steve (Angie) Reckert, Danny (Ashley) Reckert, and 10 great-nephews and -nieces, whom she loved so much. This month an 11th great-niece will arrive. She is also survived by countless dear and loyal friends (Merrie’s posse), and her beloved animals: Amazon parrot Maxine, and Corgis Scout and puppy Huckleberry.

In light of her passing, please reminisce in the happy memories that can be found in the simplest of days. She walks in beauty.

Memorials may be directed to Planned Pethood International, Audubon Society of Greater Denver or the family: Elise Alvarado, 5060 W. 36th Avenue, Denver, CO 80212. 

Meredith’s body will be cremated with a memorial celebration service to be held late in the spring in Denver. Please check back for updates