Donna Jean Wheeler

Donna Jean Smith Wheeler, 80, of Erie, CO passed away February 3, 2015 at Longmont United Hospital. She was born March 31, 1934 in Westminster, CO to Gerald (Gerry) William & Doris Elizabeth (Payne) Smith. While at college, she met the love of her life, Jack Chester Wheeler. They were married August 16, 1959 and were happily together for 53 years. She still lived on their family ranch near Erie raising cattle and riding horses. After graduating from Westminster High School and Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University), she taught for 29 years. As a P.E. teacher, she taught 1st through 12th grade for several years. Then she taught 7-12th grade at Erie Junior Senior High School. While working there she coached the first ever girls' basketball team. Finally, she taught at Mead Elementary for 15 years.Donna Jean actively helped put on the Colorado Senior Pro Charity Rodeo for 31 years. It was her passion to help children love to ride stick horses. She qualified for the National Senior Pro Rodeo 10 consecutive years.Being passionate about horses, she served as a board member of St. Vrain Round-Up Club for many years and even when she was no longer able to participate she was overseeing events.Donna Jean together with Jack shared her passion of teaching and working with young people. She was a 4-H leader of the Cloverleaf Riders Club for over 20 years. Together they coached and mounted many young people through High School Rodeo and 4-H. She was a founding sponsor of the Colorado High School Rodeo in Westminster, the first high school rodeo in Colorado in 1958.She is preceded in death by Jack Chester Wheeler, her mother Doris Elizabeth Payne Smith, her daddy, Gerald (Gerry) William Smith. She is survived by her two daughters: Dee Jay Smith and Jackie Carlson, a son-in-law Stener Carlson III, three grandchildren: J.T. Smith, Tristan Smith, and Brooke Carlson, her sister: Geraldine Highland, brother-in-law Larry Highland, and three nieces: Julie Lauridsen, Joy Daniell, and Teresa Dudden. She is survived by numerous other family and friends. A celebration of her life will be held at Rocky Mountain Christian Church, Niwot Campus at 1:30pm, Tuesday, February 10. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Boulder County 4-H Foundation in c/o Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.