Jane Ellen Mellema

She grew up in Newton with her siblings, her late brother Greg McLean and two sisters

Melinda McLean and the late Susan (Richard) Smith. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family at age 68, on April 25th, 2025.

At age Eleven Jane’s family moved from Newton, KS to Arvada, CO. Where she later attended Arvada High School with honors and graduated in 1974. She loved to play the Cello and became very fluent in French. Jane attended Adams State College and graduated with her Bachelors degree in Psychology in 1979. Later in life she made the decision to go back to school to retrieve her Masters degree from University of Phoenix in 2009.

She met the love of her life, the late Scott Mellema in 1987, and later got married in 1989. Shortly after they welcomed their only daughter Samantha ‘Sammie” Jane Purvis. They resided in Arvada, CO until 2003, then moved to Byers, CO until 2012 where they decided to move back

to their home town of Arvada, CO with her beloved Daughter and Son in-law Bryson.

Her dream job was to be a drug and alcohol counselor and while it was incredibly difficult to find that perfect job. She spent the majority of her career as a debt collector for various companies; The Denver Social Services, Alliance Data, and HON (Home Outsourcing Network). She also

worked 12 years at the Byers General Store shortly after moving to Byers, CO, then left that job to become a care giver to her Father In-law (Kenneth Mellema) at home until he passed away.

Jane was a homebody, she loved staying home watching Hallmark and good ole classic movies, playing games and being surrounded by her grandbabies, beloved daughter and son in-law. She loved sharing ‘Dad Jokes’. She was a woman of faith.. She was a food connoisseur, with a

love of all foods. Her laugh was contagious along with a smile that could light up the entire room. Her grandbabies kept her young, and kept that beautiful smile on her face.

Jane is preceded in death by her Husband (Scott Mellema), Her parents (Wanda May & William McLean), her brother (Greg McLean), her sister (Susan Smith), her In-laws (Kenneth & Veronica Mellema), her Sister in-law (Sandra Ann Mellema - Higgins),and her niece (Erin Higgins-Boluda).

She is survived by her only daughter Samantha (Bryson) Purvis, her two granddaughters Brynleigh and Braylah Purvis, her Step daughter Heather (Jonathan) Hall and their children Haylee and Olivia Hall, her sister Melinda McLean, her nephews Alex Mendoza and William Mendoza. Her brother in-law Mark (Shannon) Mellema, and nieces Brandi (Chase) Crouch, and Jordan (Richard) Beard. Her brother in-law Richard Smith, and nieces Patty Smith and Chrissy Smith.

In the loving words for Jane….."Who loves you baby"

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the GOFUNDME;

https://tinyurl.com/bdduxddb