Jeanette Elaine Jetley

Nov. 26,1932 — Nov. 21, 2008

MONTROSE — Jean was born Nov. 26, 1932 at Winner, S.D. to Estella Lutheria Phillips Boerner and Gaylord Wesley Boerner. She was the oldest of six children, sisters Norma Jean (Jimmy), Virginia (Ginger), Myrna, Joyce and brother Wesley.  She was born into the Kingdom of God through Holy Baptism on April 18, 1943.

On May 26, 1951 Jean was joined in marriage to the love of her life, Vern Jetley.  They had two daughters, Barbara and Karen; four grandchildren, Sarah, Ryan, Andrew, and Amber; and three great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Michael and Christopher; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; and grandson, Ryan.

Jean graduated from Winner High School and attended college at Spearfish Teacher’s College and Chadron State College. She taught at a one room country school in western South Dakota. After marriage, they traveled with the military and lived in Fort Knox, Ky. for a time. They lived in Custer, S.D.; Denver, Colo.; Gunnison, Colo.; and have lived in Montrose for the past 43 years. Jean worked for the Bureau of Reclamation on the Curecanti Water Project and retired from the Bureau of Land Management as a budget analyst. 

The things held dearest to her heart were her family and her church and Bible study.  She also enjoyed music, poetry, reading, crossword puzzles, watching the Broncos, especially John Elway. She enjoyed get-aways with her family to their wooded property on the Uncompahgre Plateau. In her later years, her great-grandchildren were the joy of her life. In spite of many years of health problems, those around her were inspired by her passion for living. She died in her home surrounded by her family.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 at Hope Lutheran Church, 600 N. 2nd St., Montrose. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402; or Hope Lutheran Building Fund. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.