Dolores Jeanne Lynne Van Laningham

December 22, 1929 – October 29, 2024

Babe, as she became known early in life, was born Dec. 22, 1929, in St. Louis, MO, to William and Jeanne Newton. She was baptized at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in early 1930. Her mother contracted tuberculosis when Babe was very young, prompting a family move to Denver, CO, the location of a prominent sanatorium at that time.

She attended mostly Lutheran schools from grade school through college. In 1950, she married Robert V. Zehnder, son of Rev. and Mrs. C.R. Zehnder, and while he finished seminary training to become a pastor, she went on to become a teacher, serving mostly in Lutheran schools in St. Louis, MO, Hollywood, FL (at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and School where her husband was founding pastor) and Lakewood, CO (at Bethlehem).

They had 4 children: Michael, Tim (Francy), Tom (Courtney) and Tamara through whom they were blessed with 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Shortly after Bob’s retirement from his final pastorate at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Wadsworth in Lakewood, she also retired after 33 years of teaching. Babe was well-known as an excellent teacher and was awarded the title, “Teacher of the Year” for the 1990-91 school year by her Christian educator peers of the Rocky Mountain District, who in their opinion, “best exemplifies outstanding educational service…” The District newsletter stated, “Having taught all levels, including foreign language, she is a master teacher and most worthy of this special recognition. Some of the accolades of her peers included: ‘great dedication, devotion, and energy’; ‘always improving her classroom’; ‘wonderful Christian example for children and adults’; and perhaps the best commendation – ‘love of her little ones’!...The award was presented to her at the professional church workers’ conference in Colorado Springs on Oct. 2, 1991.” She was deeply loved by grateful students and parents and, of course, by her own family and many admiring peers and friends.

Husband Rev. Robert Zehnder subsequently acquired cancer and died in 1997. In 1998, Babe married her former brother-in-law, E.L. Van Laningham, who at that time was working as a representative for our Lutheran Synod. He had formerly been a sales manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield. E.L. had proudly served as a U.S. Marine, volunteering in 1950, and was an infantry squad leader. Babe and E.L. had known each other since their days as students at St. John’s College in Winfield, KS, and Babe’s children lovingly called him, “Uncledad.” He died this year on August 12, and they were blessed with 26 years of marriage and his 4 children: Todd (now deceased), Chris (Don), Jill, and Kirk (Noriko). Additionally, 2 more grandchildren were added to the family.

Babe died peacefully at Collier Hospice Care in Lakewood on October 29, 2024, completing nearly 95 years of a faith-filled life.

The family requests donations to Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School or to charities in lieu of flowers.

Her service will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on 22nd and Wadsworth in Lakewood, CO, followed by a reception at the church and interment at Crown Hill Cemetery and Olinger Mortuary on Wadsworth Blvd. The service will be held on Monday, November 11th at 11:00 am; visitation begins 1½ hours prior at 9:30 am.