Anita Theresa Schillak of Broomfield, CO passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 17, 2024. Anita was born November 28, 1933 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Agatha and Leo Hinger. She was the fifth of the six children. Both her father and mother worked at Sacred Heart Hospital next door to their home so it’s no surprise that Anita followed in their footsteps.

Anita earned her Registered Nurse (RN) Accreditation in 1954 from the St. Francis School of Nursing, La Crosse, WI. It was there that she met John, her then patient, whom, unknowingly, would later become her husband.

After earning her RN, Anita worked in Minneapolis and in 1955, moved to Denver, CO where she lived with several close girlfriends and worked at the original Childrens Hospital in downtown Denver. She immediately fell in love with Colorado and the west. She often recounted her memories of taking the ski train from Union Station to Winter Park for a day of skiing. In an ironic twist of fate, while on a holiday back in Wisconsin, she reconnected with her patient from several years earlier, John Schillak. He invited her for an afternoon of bowling, dinner and a movie and the rest is history! Anita and John married on August 31, 1957 at the historic Sacred Heart Church on Dewey Street in Eau Claire, WI. They later adopted two daughters, Shelley and Sheryl, and enjoyed over 66 years of marriage!

Anita worked as an Emergency Room Nurse in several different hospitals throughout Wisconsin including the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison and later at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI. There she served as Head Nurse for the Emergency Room/Trauma Center, RN Hemophilia Program Coordinator and ultimately retired as the Director of Hospital Admissions.

Anita was absolutely passionate about caring for others and her compassion, empathy and attention to detail made her an exceptional nurse and lifelong care giver. Whether in the hospital, volunteering, serving in her church, helping a friend or raising her children, she gave with all her heart and soul! Anita loved her career, but she would always say that the best years of her life were the three years that she, John and their two girls lived in Afghanistan (1968-1971). While John worked to set up departments at Kabul University, Anita raised their two young daughters and immersed herself in a completely new culture. Anita adored the landscape, but most of all, she loved the warm and beautiful Afghan people. With such poverty and third world medical care, Anita was able to serve the sick and needy while working at the United States Agency International Development (USAID). Anita always had an affinity for babies and children and had many Afghan families express their heartfelt gratitude to her for saving the lives of their children. For Anita, it was just what she did and who she was.

While in Afghanistan, Anita and John used their base to visit many other countries and cultures and forever kept their spirit of travel. Over the years, Anita would make multiple trips back to her father’s homestead in Gmund Austria where they would stay with family still living there. Each time, she would visit the train station where her father, as a young 16 year old boy, left for America with only a few dollars sewn into the lining of his clothes, never to return. Anita cherished all family connections and every minute they had together.

After retiring, Anita, John and their Yorkie, Gypsy, spent 10 years motorhoming around the US & Canada while often wintering in Tuscon, AZ. They enjoyed taking in new sights and experiences but best of all were the lifelong friends they made along the way.

In 2006, Anita and John moved to Anthem Ranch in Broomfield, CO where they shared 18 fabulous years back in the state she fell in love with 67 years ago, and much closer to their children and grandchildren.

Anita loved all Arts and especially music, or as her father pronounced it, “mooosic”. She played the violin, piano and was a voracious knitter and reader. She’s knit hundreds of blankets, sweaters, scarves, shawls, animal critters, you name it! In her retired years, she led a knitting club that often knit items for charity. Even in her final months, Anita continued knitting washcloths for many of the wonderful people who supported her in her assisted living memory care home. Needles and yarn were an extension of her heart and went with her always and everywhere!

Anita is survived by her devoted husband, John Schillak; daughter Sheryl Wisecup and husband Steve; Grandchildren Michael Nerbovig, Lauren Eustice and fiancé Justin Bell, Olivia and Elliot Wisecup, three Great Granddaughters and many nieces, nephews and countless friends.
Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Agatha and Leo, her daughter Shelley, her brothers George and Leo and her sisters Delores, Mary and Joanne. Anita left footprints on the heart of every person she met and her warm and loving smile will be deeply missed by all.

A Rosary, Funeral service and luncheon will take place at 10:30am on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 715 Cabrini Dr, Lafayette, CO 80026.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Denver
https://ccdenver.org/donate/