Denise Nicole Bernsen Ashna

August 27, 1971
February 22, 2021

Age 49

Life story

"After graduating from King High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1989, Denise Bernsen and her best friend, Leslie Jordan-Willett (who gave Denise a mullet in the 6th grade after cutting gum out of her hair, which Leslie put in) packed a car, left Texas, and headed for California, driving the 101, listening to Hotel California the entire ride. On a whim, Denise and Leslie visited Colorado and because they enjoyed it so much, decided to call it home, not even returning to California to gather their belongings. It was this internal sense of adventure and love for friendship that carried Denise throughout her entire life and made her someone that was loved by so many, and fiercely admired by all who knew her. Denise Nicole Bernsen Ashna, of League City, Texas, became cancer free on February 22, 2021, after showing bravery, determination, and resilience during a six-month battle with Stage 4 Stomach Cancer. Her loved ones surrounded her at home at the time of her passing, at the age of 49. Denise is survived by her husband Ashley Ashna of League City, Texas; the joy of her life, her daughter Paige Ashna; her parents Michael and Renate Bernsen, and her brother Ron Bernsen and his wife Xianmin Xu Bernsen. Denise also had four uncles, one aunt, and several cousins. Denise\'s family by marriage included her father and mother-in-law, Farough and Helen Ashna, two brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Denise was born on August 27, 1971, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She grew up making many memories with her family in the Sparkling City by the Sea. Together, they spent countless days soaking in the sun on the beaches of Corpus and South Padre, often fishing, crabbing, or just enjoying the waves. It was here where Denise found her first loves – the ocean and sparkly flip-flops. Working at an adolescent psychiatric hospital in Westminster, Colorado, Denise met and began dating a co-worker, her husband Ashley, in 2000. During their dating years, the two of them traveled to many of the beaches Denise so longed to see. Travel was a passion of hers, and while you would not see her spending money on brand-name household items, reserving a hotel room without the surcharge of an ocean view was unfathomable to her. Denise and Ashley married in 2003, on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, fulfilling a lifelong dream – her father Mike walking her down the aisle, shoes off, toes in the sand. In 2006, Denise obtained a Master\'s Degree in Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. She then continued her passion of working with at-risk youth and vulnerable populations, becoming a Special Education teacher for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. In 2007, she was blessed with her beautiful daughter, Paige, fulfilling another long held dream she thought might never come true after facing three years of fertility issues. Denise instantly fell in love with Paige and has been steadfast in this love ever since. Through Paige, Denise will live on and she will be an ever-present influence as Paige moves through each of life\'s milestones. In the Summer of 2008, Denise and her family made the difficult decision to return home to the Great State of Texas, leaving behind the beauty of Colorado and the lightening in a bottle friendships they had formed living there. They made a new home in League City, where Denise began serving the community in which she lived by continuing her work as a Special Education teacher in Clear Creek ISD. In 2011, Denise earned her Educational Diagnostician certification from Sam Houston State University, which enabled her to fulfill a desire to help even more children succeed by working to identify their strengths, challenges, and unique ways for them to find success in the classroom. While there are so many things to celebrate and love about Denise, she will most often be remembered for her selfless, gentle, and kind spirit. Denise always put others\' needs and desires before her own, serving first and eating last. If someone was ever in need, whether they needed a caring, listening ear, a place to stay, financial support, or just human connection, Denise immediately responded, whether it was a long-time friend or new acquaintance. Denise\'s love and service to others was evident in all aspects of her life and at the core of who she was as a person. Her care and tender heart were reflected in the precise, personalized detail that went into the gifts or baskets she selected and prepared for those in her life. Anyone who ever received a care or Christmas basket from Denise understands the beautifully meticulous care that went into creating a unique gift for the individual receiving it. The precision, time, and energy that she poured into each one was a small, yet powerful glimpse into the person she was. Denise formally asked Christ to be her Lord and Savior on January 28, 2021, with her husband Ashley by her side. Together they prayed and asked Jesus to come into her life. Throughout her journey with cancer, Denise said she felt God with her through the outpouring of love and support from everyone around her. She also felt the peace only God can provide as she endured countless invasive and difficult treatments. Denise cried tears of happiness as she prayed the Sinners Prayer. Although we are deeply saddened that she is no longer with us, we rejoice that she is celebrating being cancer free with her Heavenly Father. The family is deeply thankful for each and every individual who walked alongside them, often holding them up, through this journey. Support was felt from far and wide, in great abundance, and never ceasing. Through you, the family did not have a worry or care, and were able to focus on Denise\'s treatment and spending time together. Through you, our friends, Denise found Christ."