Kristine Mary (Hedgecock) Janssen, passed away peacefully at her home January 13, 2022. She was born in Denver and moved with her family to Boulder at the age of two. This is where she called home for most of her life; at the magnificently, beautiful Hedgecock Ranch, located in the Eldorado Springs Valley of South Boulder. Kris was a no-nonsense, down-to-earth individual and she kept her life simple. Her heart belonged to her family, her cherished friends, and her home. Continuing the role of her parents after their passing, she hosted many gatherings of weddings, memorial services, class reunions, and family get-togethers at “the ranch.” Her community of family and friends will forever have memories she helped create by bringing us all together with her hospitality, warmth, and love.
Kristine married Richard Dawe in 1963. During their marriage of 16 years, they had three daughters, Heidi, Tiffany, and Toni. Kris and Rich lived on a small farm in the Niwot area where they raised their daughters, providing a young childhood that they treasure, hold deep in their hearts, and would not trade for the world.
In 1985, she met the love of her life, Jerry “Mert” Janssen and they knew within weeks the love they had for each other. With Mert came a blended family and the addition of two more children, Gina, and Clint. Kris and Mert built a life together at the family ranch and she loved nothing more than bringing her big, noisy family together for holiday gatherings and family picnics at her beloved home. Kris and Mert were married for 29 years, until his death September of 2013.
Kris’s professional life in the heavy-haul trucking industry added so many cherished friendships. She loved being on the road and would often talk of the meaningful conversations she shared with the drivers that worked with her, and her memories of the miles traveled, and adventures shared, as she drove her way all around our beautiful country. All moments of her life that filled her with so many memorable experiences.
Kris was a truly authentic individual who never wavered from her values. She could be counted on to tell you “How it is.” She was kind, compassionate, and instilled these qualities into the lives she touched. Kris was a mom, grandma, daughter, sister, and dear friend. She affected those she loved for the better and she will be deeply missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, Mert Janssen, her parents Glenn and Virgeen Hedgecock, her brother John Hedgecock, and her granddaughter Riley Sluman. She is survived by her daughters Heidi Dawe, Tiffany Dawe (Terald Kling), Toni Dawe (Dave Burton), stepdaughter Gina Baker (Larry), stepson Clinton Janssen (Pam), ten grandchildren, Brianna, Erin, Cole, Matthew, Zachary, Justin, Cody, Jordan, Avery, and Ellie, fifteen great-grandchildren, a brother Kirk Hedgecock and sister Jamie Lynn.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at The Shupe Homestead, 11931 North 61st St., Longmont, CO 80503
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Historic Boulder.
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