Margaret "Peg" Elizabeth Madden Ohlander

Margaret “Peg” Ohlander, 86, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was surrounded by her loving family as she peacefully entered the gates of Heaven on October 13, 2023. She was born on July 28, 1937, to Jerry and Minerva Madden in Trenton, New Jersey. Peg lived a very full life filled with many adventures. In her early years, on the east coast, she loved skiing and figure skating. She moved to Denver, Colorado in 1960 and would have continued skiing, but one look at the tall Rocky Mountains, she knew her skiing adventures were over as she was very fearful of heights. Peg had great passion for volunteering and spent many years with Phi Tau Omega, a philanthropic sorority. She also volunteered at Denver General hospital, and with many outreach projects with her church. In her daughter, Victoria Rheinlander’s senior year, she quit her job and bought a station wagon so she could drive the kids from Sounds of B.C., a musical group, to their performances. She really got into the job and even crashed their prom with other mothers from the music group (that went over well with the kids…haha)! Once her girls were out of the house, Peg found the theater to become one of her greatest passions. She volunteered with Denver Center for Performing Arts (DCPA) for 25+ years and became a House Manager. Peg’s greatest passion was her family! This past year in Colorado Springs, Vicki (aka: Vicki Lee and Tory Lee), became Peg’s Prayer Warrior, Kathy, became Peg’s “Wonder” with all her caregiving, and George, her son-in-law, kept Peg laughing. Michal, her granddaughter, became Peg’s “Ray of Sunshine”. Their special relationship began the day Michal was born. One of their favorite things to do was make Christmas ornaments when Michal would spend the week with Grandma and Papa. Those ornaments are beloved treasures of our family, and the memories are priceless. Grandma and Papa would take Michal on many adventures, such as Swetsville Zoo, a sculpture park, Tiny Town, the zoo, wild animal sanctuaries, and the list goes on and on. As Michal became an adult, they became best friends. They talked about history, shopped, talked about traveling, did crafts, and talked some more about everything under the sun (they are both BIG talkers)! In the past year, Peg (aka: Gigi Peg), enjoyed her time with her great granddaughter’s Ruby and Roxanne. Peg hosted a fancy tea party for the littles. Travel was another passion of Peg’s. She and Keith, her late husband, started their travels with family road trips, then ventured to Mexico City for their 10th anniversary. After that, they traveled all over the world including, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico. One of Peg’s biggest travel adventures was moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be closer to her family. She loved the views in Colorado Springs and would always thank God for His mountains. Whenever she would see Pike’s
Peak, she would say, “Hello Mountain!” and thank her Creator. Peg became a gentler, kinder and more grateful woman with the move to Colorado Springs. The transformation was sweet! Peg spent 55+ years attending St. Philip and St. James Episcopal Church where she actively volunteered and devoted many hours of service and worship. Peg Ohlander is preceded in death by her loving husband, Kenneth Ohlander, her parents, Jerry and Minerva Madden, and her brother, Thomas Madden. She is survived by her daughters, Victoria Rheinlander and Kathryn Ross (George); Granddaughters, Michal Ross (Jason), Harriette Saide, and Rachel Smith (Chris); Grandsons Clay Ross (Emily), Casey Ross (Mundi), Rocky Ross, and Joshua Rheinlander; Great Grandchildren, Carter, Noah, Graycee, Walker, Ruby and Roxanne. She is also survived by her sisters, Barbara Thompson and Mary Madden; and In-Laws, Corky Ohlander (Gert), Ann Orme, Camilla Sparlin (Richard), Ann Lesley, as well as several nieces and nephews. A memorial service for Peg will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at St. Philip and St. James Episcopal Church at 2797 S. Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO 80236 with a light lunch following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to St. Philip and St. James Episcopal Church, see address above.