The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery is a podcast for cemetery lovers, preservationists, and even those who've never walked among the graves. Join hosts Jennie and Dianne each week as they explore old cemeteries and learn the stories of those buried within their walls. After all, every death had a life, and every life had a story.

Recent Episodes

Feb. 13, 2025

Episode 221 - A Conversation with David and Jenny Carr, Founders of Gravestone Guardians

Passion, dedication, and a love for history! Join Jennie and Dianne on this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they welcome David and Jenny Carr, a remarkable couple who have made it their mission to p…
Feb. 6, 2025

Episode 220 - Of Grave Concern: Discussing Bill SD.2426 An Act Relative to the Theft of Graves

Gravestones are more than just stones... They hold the stories of our past and are considered sacred objects by many including this week's guest, Rachel Meyer from Epoch Preservation. Join Jennie and Dianne as they learn of …
Jan. 30, 2025

Episode 219 - A Visit with the KC Cemetery Man, a.k.a Kurt Jordan

This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, Dianne and Jennie welcome Kurt Jordan, a.k.a KC Cemetery Man, a champion of cemetery preservation. Kurt's chance discovery of his 2X Great Grandfather's marker sparke…
Jan. 23, 2025

Episode 218 - Real-Life Inspirations: The History Behind Virtual Cemeteries

Don't miss the latest episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, where Jennie and Dianne are joined by special guest Charles Johnson to chat about fictional cemeteries and ghost towns in the virtual world of vid…
Jan. 16, 2025

Episode 217 - An Ordinary Extraordinary Announcement and a "Peak" back into the Centennial State's "Roots"

Join Dianne and Jennie for a trip down memory lane! This week's episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast is a Colorado-themed throwback, featuring snippets from their favorite homestate episodes, PLUS, an excit…
Jan. 9, 2025

Episode 216 - The Lost Story of Dr. Marianna Smalley

On this episode Of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne attempt to piece together the life story of Dr. Marianna Smalley, a pioneering woman of her era. Celebrated for her research in tuberculosis treatment…

Recent Blog Posts

Dec. 3, 2024

The Fleeting Life of Myrtle Winter

Myrtle Winter (yes, her first name is misspelled on the headstone) was just 21 years old when she was laid to rest at Valley View Cemetery (also called Rocky Ford Cemetery) in Rocky Ford, Colorado. A tiny obituary printed in …

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Sept. 10, 2024

Digging Deeper: Uncovering the Roots of Death and Burial Terminology

A recent online discussion sparked curiosity about the language surrounding death and burial. The term "planted" surprised some, but its origins imply the term was used with affection, especially among certain populations of farmers across the Unite…

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Aug. 27, 2024

A Smile Frozen in Time

Every time I visit any cemetery I begin to immediately wonder about the people buried in it. What are their stories? Finding headstones that include a photographs is always extra special because now I know what they looked like even …

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About the Hosts

Dianne Hartshorn Profile Photo

Dianne Hartshorn

Co-Host

As founder and director of the Evergreen Heritage Dianne Hartshorn is capable, knowledgeable and dedicated as a custodian of Colorado Springs history and in assisting the cemetery with their pioneer heritage. Her knowledge of and dedication to Victorian history and traditions is inspiring and educational. Dianne has two grown children and lives with her husband Tom of 35 years and her awesome cat Loki. She is a 4th generation Colorado native and enjoys nothing more than sharing history especially if cemeteries are involved!

Jennie Johnson Profile Photo

Jennie Johnson

Creator & Host

Jennie has been in love with cemeteries and their stories since she was a teenager. She has taken thousands of photographs of historic headstones and the nature that inhabits cemeteries and graveyards. While she is not a history major, she is a history buff and loves to do research on all kinds of historical people and events. She was once locked into a museum (at the curator's request. He had an urgent coffee matter to attend to) and it was a dream come true! Jennie's dad is a retired Navy Senior Chief which means she spent her childhood living in different parts of the United States and ultimately developed a love of travel. She has also been involved in theater since she was 12 years old. She enjoys being on stage, but in recent years has developed a passion for directing and script writing. She has three awesome kids who are all grown or nearly so and is married to a Radio DJ/music programer who also loves playing pinball. She adores her black cat named Salem after her favorite city in the whole world, Salem, Massachusetts.

 

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Caught up on Episodes of The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery? Looking for something new to listen to until next Thursday? Try one of these (or all of these) fun, informational, and historical podcasts. 

🪦 Tomb with a View Podcast https://linktr.ee/tombwith_aview

🪦New England Legends Podcast https://ournewenglandlegends.com/

🪦Salem the Podcast https://www.salemthepodcast.com/

🪦 Cemetery Podcast http://www.necrotourist.com/

🪦 Historic Headlines https://historicheadlines.podbean.com/