Eileen Brunson Willett, 92, a resident of the San Luis Valley since 1970, died at the San Luis Care Center in Alamosa on June 13, 2013.
Eileen (Amy to many friends) was born April 2, 1921 in Denver, Colorado to Marion and Irene (Ackerman) Brunson. On January 2, 1943 she married Joe Sinton Willett her devoted husband until his death in 2007.
Eileen graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs where she traveled extensively both nationally and internationally performing and teaching folk and square dancing with the Lloyd Shaw Dancers. After graduation she attended Beth-El School of Nursing in Colorado Springs. Following World War II, with husband Joe, they built their first home using materials from old military barracks that they disassembled. In the 1950’s, they managed, then purchased the Sinton Dairy Farms forming the Willett Dairy Farm and Cattle Company. The latter became the highest producing dairy operation in Colorado. In 1970, they sold the dairy operation and purchased the Cross Arrow Ranch, a cow/calf operation in the San Luis Valley. Through these working years she raised three sons, yet remained an avid ballroom and square dancer, with her husband, participating in groups in Colorado Springs, Green Valley, AZ and the San Luis Valley. Eileen was an accomplished poet with a number of her poems published. An anthology of her poems and charcoal drawings was printed in 1996.
Surviving are her brother Cloyd Brunson of Colorado Springs; sons Lynn (Cynthia) Willett of Wooster, OH and Mike (Marilyn) Willett of Cross Arrow Ranch; daughter-in-law Jeannine Willett of Monte Vista; grandchildren Toby (Jessica) Willett of Cross Arrow Ranch, Matt Willett of Manassas, VA, Wesley Willett of Paris, France, Kyler (Shannon) Willett of Los Angeles, CA, Kristie (Jason Ritchie) Willett of Oxford, Mississippi, Lisa (Dan) Chirayath of Valley City, OH. She has eight great-grandchildren, Peyton, Riley and Clayton Willett, Indigo, Ravi and Emmett Chirayath, and Alexandra and Cody Ritchie.
Preceding her in death were husband Joe Sinton Willett, son Patrick “Rick” Willett and daughter-in-law Jane Ann Willett.
A Private family memorial will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in her memory to the Mountain Valley Dance Studio, 2113 Oliver Avenue, Alamosa, CO 81101 or to the San Luis Valley Cattlemens Scholarship Fund, 20785 County Road 28, Sanford, CO 81151.

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