Anita ""Joy"" Joy Aho

Anita Joy Aho, 72 of Loveland, Colorado, passed away at her home Thursday, May 13, 2021. Joy was born on May 2, 1949 in Long Beach California, to Farron and Fern (Wallace) Burtenshaw. She grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, and graduated from Grand Junction High School. She then attended both Dixie State and Utah State University, while working on the local Navajo reservation. She married Michael Aho on October 19,1974. They lived in Layton, Utah for 17 years until moving their family to Loveland, Colorado in 1992. Joy was a devoted wife of 47 years, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who loved life, and loved the people she surrounded herself with even more. She was a dedicated employee, working a full time schedule with various careers involving retail to real estate all while keeping her family together. When not chasing kids and her career, she enjoyed finding a quiet spot where she could curl up with a good book or kindle and a cold glass of Pepsi. She also loved taking trips to new places, but especially the mountains where she could enjoy the spectacular Mountain view’s and wildlife. Joy was an amazing person to so many that could never be duplicated or replaced. She was taken far too soon from a place that was better for having her in it. She was preceded in death by her parents, Farron and Fern Burtenshaw; in-laws, Alvar and Ruth Aho. Joy is survived by her husband, Michael E. Aho of Loveland; son, Michael S. Aho (partner) Amanda Thorstensen (daughter) Aspen of Berthoud; son, Jace Aho (wife) Lucy Aho (grandchildren) Reese and Kennedy of Rochester, Minnesota; sister, Irene Burtenshaw of Grand Junction; niece, Jan Rachelle Lumpp (husband) Scott Lumpp of Peoria Arizona; nephew Beau Barney (wife) Brittany Barney of Berthoud; niece Farrah Smilanich (husband) Todd Smilanich of Craig.