01/21/2026
Alice Marie Durward Drotar, 94, died January 13, 2026 in her home in Northglenn, Colorado with family members in attendance. Alice Marie was born on April 22, 1931, in Boulder, Colorado to Lawrence and Annetta (Andre) Durward. She graduated from Boulder High School and attended the University of Colorado, where she met her husband George Drotar during chemistry lab. They were married on January 31, 1952.
She was a mother of 12 children and a homemaker. Her purpose in life was to take care of both her children and, when needed, her grandchildren. She preserved food, sewed clothes, quilted, crocheted, knitted and embroidered to make sure her family had what they needed. She taught these skills through 4-H for over 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Drotar, her granddaughter Rebecca Snyder, her parents, Lawrence and Annetta Durward, her brother Dr. James Durward, and her sister Louise Kraus.
She is survived by two sisters Florence Rickman and Kathryn Harris, and twelve children, AnnaMarie Drotar, Leonard Drotar, RoseMary (Drotar) Bindel, Teresa Drotar, Debora (Drotar) Naftz, Martha (Drotar) Amey, Janet Drotar, Timothy Drotar, Arthur Drotar, Karen (Drotar) Osborne, Ellen Drotar, and Benjamin Drotar. She has 34 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 2 great, great-grandchildren.
Alice Marie embraced her role as a mother. She welcomed everyone into her home and fed whoever was hungry. Holidays were important gathering times for family but could include whoever was alone and needed a welcoming place. Sometimes these celebrations at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Easter would include about 50-100 people. She was a long-time volunteer to supply reception meals for funerals at IHM. She especially enjoyed making dinner rolls for them. She was involved with the school district where she participated in defining the gifted and talented program, and in hiring school Principals. She expected her children to achieve, but was very protective of them. She encouraged them to explore and find their own areas of accomplishment be it science, music, trades, or business. All her children were active in band, 4-H and sport. She helped other children as part of the Helping Hands movement where any child who needed help could knock on the door of a house displaying a hand sticker and know it was a safe place. She helped many children this way.
Our mother had the kindest and most loving heart. We loved to hear her sing while preparing food and during long car trips. We learned so much from her; she was always thinking of the needs of others before herself. She had the ability to keep track of 12 or 13 schedules, all at once and to be there to help anyone.
The Funeral Mass be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish, 11385 Grant Drive, Northglenn, CO on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with a lunch to follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers a donation in the name of Alice Marie Drotar to “Immaculate Heart of Mary Food Bank” or “Shriners Hospital for Children” in care of Young’s Funeral Service, 102 E. Charlotte Street, Johnstown, CO 80534. Condolences may be shared at youngsfunerals.com.
