Jeanne Irene (Russell) Schwenn

Jeanne Irene (Russell) Schwenn was born on April 17, 1929, in Gratiot, Wisconsin, to Roland and Irene (Giles) Russell. She passed away on November 3, 2026, at the age of 97. Jeanne resided in Longmont, Colorado.

Jeanne attended the one-room schoolhouse on the Russell Family Farm and graduated from Shullsburg High School. A dedicated student who excelled academically, she also embraced a full range of activities, including 4-H—raising sheep and baking with a skill that drew notice. Her talent in the kitchen was recognized at the county fair, where she earned a blue ribbon for her bran muffins. After high school, she set her sights on the energy of city life and moved to Madison to attend business college.

One evening at a spaghetti dinner dance, Bud Schwenn caught her eye. They soon married and made their first home at Lake Kegonsa, Wisconsin, among the cherry trees. During a camping trip to the “wild west,” they decided to move their family to Boulder, Colorado, in 1956. Jeanne devoted herself to raising five children, giving her time generously as a cub scout den mother and becoming an accomplished cake decorator. Jeanne is fondly remembered for the countless decorated cookies and cupcakes she provided for school events and birthday parties, and for the wedding cakes she made for friends—each one a reflection of her care for others and her gift for bringing people together.

Jeanne also built a career in medical records, earning the Florence Carpenter Scholarship to advance her skills. Through years of steady dedication, she became the Director of Medical Records at Boulder Community Hospital.

At the age of 50, Jeanne embraced a new challenge with remarkable courage, learning to pilot a hot air balloon as a commercial pilot and becoming the owner of Cloud Nine Adventures. She delighted in witnessing the excitement of others as they went up, up, and away. When she was not ballooning, she was the captain of her own boat, creating cherished family memories on the lakes of Colorado.

Jeanne’s enthusiasm for life and for bringing joy to others found many expressions. She attended clown school and became an official clown for Colorado, appearing at parties and visiting hospitals. She also loved being entertained—enjoying Broadway plays and concerts—and she collected Department 56 houses and bells gathered through extensive travels. With a keen interest in computers, Jeanne meticulously documented family genealogy and volunteered at the Longmont Senior Center with SeniorNet as a computer coach, secretary, and event planner. Through that work, she formed a close and enduring circle of friends who shared her love of computers and birthday celebrations.

Jeanne volunteered for many years with Ride the Rockies and was an active member of Lyons Community Church. After Bud’s death, she reconnected with a family friend, Ray Reidhammer. Ray moved to Colorado, and the two were married, making their home in Longmont and sharing many adventures during 20 years together.

Jeanne moved to Brookdale Senior Living four years ago, where she was described as a crowd favorite with a kind and contagious warmth.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husbands, Bud and Ray; her mother, Irene; her father, Roland; her son, Jeffrey; her siblings Marvin Russell, George Russell, and Marilyn Klauber; and her sisters-in-law Elizabeth Russell and Marcella Russell.

Jeanne is survived by her children Gregory (Michele), Stephen, Marilyn Marinelli (Don), and Douglas; daughter-in-law Karen; grandchildren Justin Marinelli (Perrin), Derrick, Chad (Amanda), and Elyse Marinelli (Johnny Tebb); and great-grandchildren Crew, Nash, Bentley, and Holden.

She is also survived by her siblings Charles “Chic” Russell and Dennis Russell (Cindy), brother-in-law Mark Klauber, and sister-in-law Laila Russell, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family extends deep appreciation for the kind and compassionate care Jeanne received from the staff at Brookdale Senior Living of Longmont, and more recently from the Bristol Hospice team.

Fond memories & expressions of sympathy may be shared with her loving family at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com.

The family has chosen to have a private service at this time.