Janice R. Woelfle

Janice Rose Paalman Woelfle, 86, of Windsor, Colorado, died November 15, 2023, after a short illness that was unexpected. She joins her beloved husband Kenneth E. Woelfle, who passed away just 10 weeks prior on September 1st.

Janice (Jan) was born in Belgrade, Nebraska to Doris Bressler Paalman and Arend J. Paalman on July 11, 1937. She and her sister Nancy grew up on her family's farm in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. She was confirmed in the Lutheran church and served as the church organist. She attended and studied business at the University of Nebraska, and later worked as a secretary in Lincoln, Nebraska. Shortly afterward she moved to Colorado where she would visit her aunts every summer.

She worked in Denver, Colorado and would often ride the bus downtown with her neighbor and future father-in-law. She met and married Ronald T. Shannon in 1960 and moved to Arvada, Colorado where they raised their three children: Colleen, Kathy, and Danny. Janice and Ronald were married for 18 years.

Janice was a homemaker, talented seamstress (making outfits for her kids), kept an immaculate house (or tried to with 3 kids!), and was a great cook. Janice was also involved in her children's schools, serving as the president of the PTA, and as room mother in their classrooms. When her children were older, she worked as a secretary for State Farm. She also worked as executive secretary for the President of the Local 7 Union representing Safeway, King Soopers and Albertson's grocery stores.

She met her second husband Kenneth E. Woelfle while visiting her family in Nebraska. It was love at first sight for both of them! They had a long-distance relationship, driving back and forth numerous hours to see each other. They finally married and moved to Nebraska, where Ken had been living. They spent a year in Nebraska until relocating to Highlands Ranch, Colorado (as Ken also had family ties in Colorado). There she worked as secretary at the Salvation Army until retirement.

They finally settled in Windsor, Colorado, closer to the cabin that Ken was building near Red Feather Lakes. The cabin was a second home, and they took pride in crafting it into a beautiful get-away and place to entertain family and friends. Janice was active and involved with Redeemer Lutheran Church, quilted for church sponsored charities, was a member of the 'Bookies' book club, and spent many years in the choir. She and Ken formed great friendships in the church. They owned several rescue dogs over the years (cocker spaniels) and each dog was pampered and treated to outings at their cabin.

Janice is missed by her family and friends. We will miss her sense of humor and how her face lit up with laughter whenever we joked around with her. She was always stylish and enjoyed dressing for the occasion. We will miss having a margarita or glass of wine with her and playing Words With Friends with her online. Despite our extreme heartbreak, we take consolation that she and Ken are reunited in Heaven.

Janice is survived by her sister Nancy (Bob) Thaldorf, her three children from her first marriage : Colleen (Bill) Fisher of Gilbert, Ariz.; Kathy Hiner of Canton, Mich.; and Dan (Elaine) Shannon of Westminster, Colo.; three stepchildren from her marriage to Ken: Ron (JoAnn) Woelfle of Nehalem, Or.; Dee (John) Simmons of Salem, Ore., and Gary (Julie) Woelfle of Roatan Island, Honduras along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made either to the Worship and Music Ministries, or the Comfort Dog Ministries of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

A memorial service will be held January 11th at 1:30 pm. at Redeemer Lutheran Church (7755 Greenstone Trail, Ft. Collins, CO 80525) with a light reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall. If you are unable to attend the service in person, we invite you to watch it by going to our website at https://www.redeemerconnect.com and clicking on the "Watch Live" button. Or, go directly to https://live.redeemerconnect.com