Tyme Mientka of Grand Junction, formerly of Delta County, died from cancer on Saturday, March 31, 2012. He was 55.
Mr. Mientka was born Oct. 23, 1956, in Reno, Nev., to Walter and Gretel Mientka. He spent his childhood in Lincoln, Neb. In high school he enjoyed football and the cello. He played electric bass in a rock band "Rambunctious."
He graduated from Northwestern University in 1979 with a degree in cello. He received his master's degree in cello from the University of Southern California.
Mr. Mienka married Kathryn "Catie" Olson in 1981. They moved to Bozeman, Mont., where they taught music and conducted the chamber orchestra at Montana State University. They moved to Europe two years later and played in many concerts throughout Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy. They moved back to the United States in 1995 to raise their three children.
In addition to touring Europe, Mr. Mientka repaired stringed instruments and taught cello. He moved to Paonia in 1999 and founded the Western Slope Concert Series and the Valley Youth Orchestra. He conducted the youth orchestra for two years and the concert series for 12 seasons. He also played in the Grand Junction Symphony and was adjunct cello teacher at Mesa State College. He moved to Grand Junction in 2003.
Mr. Mientka enjoyed camping, swimming, goofing around with his family, and nourishing his children's creative abilities. He was a member of the Celtic band FEAST with his wife Catie.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 7, at 1 p.m. at the Fellowship Church in Grand Junction. A potluck will follow at the Mientka home, 3410 Ponderosa Court, in Grand Junction.
Memorial contributions may be made to the non-profit Western Slope Concert Series, 2457 Kelley Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81505.
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