January 17, 1930 - May 31, 2022
A lifelong resident of Denver, “Pepper” Rolander was the second daughter of John Walter Best and Florence Kountze Best. At 92 years of age, she was the last surviving grandchild of Charles Kountze, a co-founder of Colorado National Bank, which helped Denver to thrive for a century and beyond She was a resident of Briarwood Healthcare Manor since May 2021, after leaving her Logan Street home of nearly 30 years.
Pepper was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Margaret Estabrook Kolte, former husband Robert Rolander, aunts Lina Kountze Brown and Mary Kountze Skinner, uncle Harold Kountze, Sr., grandparents of Charles and Mary Kountze and George and Mary Estabrook, all of Denver. She is survived by two nieces, Estabrook Anne Anderson of Longmont, and Margaret Elizabeth Kolte of Minnesota.
The Best girls lost their second parent in 1937 and Frances Caverly (“Baba”) raised them through childhood and on to college. Pepper was an accomplished horsewoman. She traveled extensively across Colorado between 1944 and 1952 competing in horse shows. She has 24 first place awards and 50 awards for 2nd through 6th place. Pepper attended the Kent School for Girls and DU, ultimately working at Colorado National Bank where she met Robert Rolander in the Trust Department. They divorced after 20 years. Rolander was a politician and a lobbyist; Pepper was the politically active wife. Possessed of a keen wit and strong sense of self, Pepper had several jobs in her lifetime as a bookkeeper and executive secretary. She retained her sense of humor throughout her 92 years.
A private service will be held. Pepper’s ashes will be scattered above the beloved Estabrook family compound near Bailey. Donations in Pepper’s honor may be made to the Colorado Talking Book Library (180 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80226-8101, 303-727-9277, https://myctbl.cde.state.colorado.us ).
