Wanda Jeanell Wendeborn

Jeanell was born in Sagerton, TX on October 21, 1940, to Anna Ruth (Crowder) and Reuben Lambert. The Lamberts moved to Idalou, TX, in 1945 where Jeanell graduated from Idalou High School. She was a proud member of the girls basketball team and as drum majorette. As soon as she graduated from high school, Jeanell set out to begin her life adventures. Jeanell and her first husband moved their family of 5 from Texas, to Alaska, back to Texas, eventually landing in her final home state of Colorado for the past 52 years.

Jeanell had a colorful career as a working mother. She administered strep cultures to the indigenous people of the “Bush” in Northern Alaska, started a petroleum and gas data service firm with another woman and then completed a professional degree as an interior designer, part owner of a residential design firm. She was very proud of her accomplishments as a professional woman in the early 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

Jeanell loved spending time with her family, driving to see fall colors in the mountains, photography, creating scrapbooks, reading, gardening, music, dancing, watching the Nuggets, reading the Sunday paper from cover to cover, observing wildlife from her home in Wheat Ridge and faithfully attending school reunions in Sagerton with her life long companion, Fred Wendeborn. Jeanell also cherished the trips she took with her mother Anna Ruth to visit family members far and wide while exploring new places.

She is survived by her daughters Kim (Kevin and children Katelynn (Justin), Carly (Richie), Gina (Doug and children Justin (Kailee) and Teagan), son Maury and 3 great grandsons: Dean and Hank (Katelynn) and Sage (Carly). She is also survived by her sister in-law Nancy and daughter Terri (Reese), sister in-law Sandra and children Wade (Steve) and Bret (Alynn), several cousins and many grand-nieces and -nephews. Jeanell was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Gerald and Taffy, nephew Derek and grandson Cameron.

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." – Dr. Seuss