Wanda Kenner

Wanda Lee Kenner, 89, died Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango, Colorado. Visitation will be held at Hood Mortuary Chapel on Sunday, June 24, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Services will be held also at Hood Mortuary Chapel on Monday, June 25, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., with Deacon Milton Van Cleave of St. Columba Catholic Church officiating. Burial will follow at Ignacio East Cemetery in Ignacio.

Mrs. Kenner was born August 13, 1922, in Augusta, Colorado, the daughter of George and Minnie Robinson. Wanda grew up on the Arnold Ranch at the foot of the Spanish Peaks in South central Colorado. She attended a one room school house riding with her sister on horseback to the school. She graduated from Trinidad High School and then attended Trinidad Junior College, obtaining her teaching certificate. She continued on with her education and got her Bachelor's degree in teaching from Western State College in Gunnison. She taught school for nine years, at first in a one room school houses and then taught in Trinidad. She met her future husband, Elmer, at a country dance in Ludlow and they were married in June of 1950. They started their family and lived on a ranch between Walsenburg and La Junta. Getting tired of living in drought conditions, the family moved to greener pastures in August of 1963 to Ignacio. At their ranch, they grew hay and raised sheep, cattle and poultry. Wanda loved her ranching lifestyle. Up until she was 80, she still milked her cow and took care of her chickens. She was a wonderful cook. She always served one large full meal to her family every day and baking desserts, bread and the always anticipated pies on the weekends. She also gardened and canned. She loved to go on picnics with her family and going for car rides all around the county. She will be remembered as a good natured person who liked to tease a time or two, was very open minded about progress and spirituality. She loved her family and Wanda herself used to say, "I'm the luckiest person in the world, I get to live near all my grandchildren!"

She is survived by Renee & Larry Hronich (daughter & son-in-law) of Ignacio, Jean Marie & Jim Etzler (daughter & son-in-law) of Ignacio, George & Donna Kenner (son & daughter-in-law) of Bayfield, grandchildren: Jamie Gross, Kevin Hronich, Beth Etzler, David Etzler, Samantha Kenner, Thomas Kenner, Rebecca Kenner, great-grandchildren: Isabella Etzler and Colton Hronich, as well as many other numerous other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Kenner, her daughter Rhonda Kenner and her sister Sally Robinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Lupus Foundation of Colorado, Inc., 1211 S. Parker Rd. #103, Denver, CO 80231.