Marilyn Ilene Jankovich

Marilyn Ilene Beye Jankovich, 84, drew her last breath and died peacefully in her home in Fort Collins on Friday, January 12, 2018. Ilene was born on June 4, 1933 in Farnam, Nebraska, moved with her parents and brother, Kenneth, to Fort Collins in 1939, when 6 years old. She attended public school graduating from Fort Collins High School in 1951.

Ilene married Robert N. Jankovich in 1951. Robert had been active in Air Force ROTC at CSU and began his Air Force Service upon graduation. Ilene followed Robert to Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Ohio, Arkansas, Alabama, California, Michigan during the 20 years Robert was in the Air Force. While in Michigan in 1964, Jennifer Ann Jankovich was adopted.

In 1971 the family returned to Fort Collins where Jennifer Ann was raised, and where Ilene and Robert bought created a beautiful home. Ilene was known for her graphic artistry, beautiful seasonal church banners and paraments (as Christ United Methodist Church), interior design, and colorful ever-blooming garden. Ilene designed needle work hangings and paraments for Methodist churches in Peetz, CO and Independence, MO.

Robert Jankovich died with five others in a plane crash in the service of the Griffin Companies in 1982, in Haden, CO. Jennifer was graduated from High School the same year and entered CSU. This was a period of turmoil for Ilene and Jennifer.

In 1986 Ilene met James Bragonier and architect from Minnesota arriving in Fort Collins to help his parents, Wendell H. and M. Alice Bragonier, who were struggling with his mother's Alzheimer's Disease.

Ilene and James became a couple in 1987 and developed an artful life together involved in art, architecture and music. Ilene was diagnosed with Micro-vascular Dementia in 2000 which developed over the next seventeen years culminating in Ilene's death on Friday, January 12, 2018 in her home.

Ilene is survived by her loving partner James Bragonier and her daughter Jennifer Jankovich of Denver. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Jankovich, her parents, Neva Spangler Beye and Arthur Beye, and her brother Kenneth Beye.

Join us at a musical celebration of Ilene’s life at 2 – 4:30 pm on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Avogadro’s Number, 605 S. Mason, Fort Collins, CO 80524. A private reception will be held earlier at the family home from 11:00 – 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Alzheimer's Association, Reborn Animal Refuge or The Aspen Club and would welcome personal notes at the online guestbook.