Jeanette Jetley

Chronicle Staff

Published: Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

  Jeanette Elaine Jetley 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, with 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, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Jean graduated from Winner High School and attended college at Spearfish (S.D.) Teacher’s College and Chadron State (Neb.) College. In 1950-51 she taught at the one-room Bower School in eastern Custer County, S.D.  After marriage, they traveled with the military and lived in Fort Knox, Ky., for a time. Following Vern’s military service, they lived in Custer, S.D., from 1953 to 1957 in the photo business. They lived in Denver, Colo., Gunnison, Colo., and 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 and 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. Jean died Nov. 21, 2008, in her home surrounded by her family. She was 64. A memorial service was held in her honor at Hope Lutheran Church, in Montrose Dec. 2.   Memorials can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402.