Vaunda Joan "Joann" Church

Vaunda Joan Church (Joann), beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, died Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at her home in Fort Collins, Colorado, of lung cancer. Although she had quit smoking, it wasn't soon enough. If you smoke, stop - now. Lung cancer is a horrible way to die.

Joann was born June 12, 1931, in Wauneta, Nebraska, to Floyd and Nellie Dehart. The family knew hard times through the depression and World War II. Money was scarce and her father died when she was 11. They survived through the help of family and Joann's strong work ethic. Upon early graduation from high school, Joann went to McCook Community College. While attending college, she met her future husband and the father to her children, Roland Reed, Jr. (Corky). They lived in Arizona, Texas, Colorado, and lastly, Florida, where they were divorced. She moved back to Denver to raise her 4 children. She had careers as a teacher, instructor for the Air Force at Lowry AFB, and as a real estate investor and property manager. She lived much of her life in Denver, and upon her remarriage in 1978 to Fred Church, Jr., in Florida (Tampa and Lakeland). For some time, she has been a snowbird, traveling between Fort Collins, CO, and Lakeland, FL.

Joann was a special person who lived her life through love. That love was expressed in her strong relationships with the many people who knew her. Through the years, she embraced and helped many. She loved children and spent special time with the young ones showing them the flowers, the stars, and teaching them the power of language through poems and songs. She believed in education and attained her bachelor's degree in psychology from Columbia College while working and supporting her 4 children. She set an example of hard work, commitment to family, generosity, and joy and peace in the beauty of nature.

Her hobbies included interior decorating, traveling, gardening, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, reading, learning, playing bridge, writing old-fashioned letters, and investing. She especially enjoyed reading and learning about World War II, perhaps because it had such a profound effect on her and her family. She had a silly side that loved to tease and laugh, and was teasing even through her final time with us. She made it through painful times through perseverance, faith, and belief in a better tomorrow. Joann loved life.

Joann is survived by her children Melanie J. Reed (Jerry Freier), Kim A. Reed, Lisa A. Jordan (Pete); stepson Fred F. Church III (Gale); grandchildren Kate Rust (Billy), Haley Neal, Matthew Neal, Calvin Jordan, Colin Jordan, Christian Jordan, Camille Tello, Ian Church (Victoria), Kayla Church; sister, Irene Wright (Loran) of Palisade, Nebraska; as well as great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, "adopted" children, and granddoggies.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred F. Church, Jr.; her son, Mark A. Reed; her parents; and her siblings Merle Fortkamp, Leland Dehart, Marvin Dehart, and Mason Dehart.

The family wants to thank the nurses, therapists and doctors who have helped Joann for the last couple of months. We're disappointed that no one detected the cancer sooner, but many of her caregivers were outstanding people who made her smile and kept her going. We also thank family and friends who were there to help with meals, visits, and mommy-sitting, who sent cards or called, who tried to show their love to Joann and us in so many ways. And a special thanks to Gale and Ally for their long distance travels to be here; Gale flew from Florida to help us through the first week following her diagnosis, and Ally drove all the way from Boise to nurse Mom the last 2 days of her life. May God bless all of you for your gifts of love to Joann and her family.

A Celebration Of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 31, 2014, at Our Saviour's LutheranChurch, 2000 S. Lemay Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Donations can be sent to Halcyon Hospice or the American Cancer Society.