Donna Bellows Wehner

Donna Wehner, age 79, died on the morning of September 27, 2024 with her husband at her bedside and having had her family gathered to her regularly over her last week. Donna was a loving and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sibling and friend. She loved to laugh and enjoy the laughter and joy of her family and friends. Despite the ever increasing toll that Alzhiemer’s disease took on her mind and body, Donna retained a bright spark of her true nature right until her last week. Her smile, her laugh and her desire to care for her family still found an outlet in these last years.

Born in Oakland, CA in 1944, the second of five siblings, Donna lived a full and vibrant life centered in her family and friends, delighting in books, stories, and photography. She loved being a Bellows and told many stories of growing up in that large and loving family. She met Bill Wehner on the school bus heading to a basketball game when she was 14. They dated through high school and college. Shortly after graduating with a B.A from Holy Names College, Donna married Bill in 1966. They moved to Colorado in 1972.

Donna was a loving and involved mother to 5 children (including James, who preceded her in death as an infant). As her children grew, she returned to school to earn a Masters in Journalism from CU where she was top of her class. She was a published author and eventually worked in communications and IT at Coors.

Donna was known as a wonderful and non-judgemental listener to her family and friends alike. She volunteered helping teen moms at Hope House, traveled widely with Bill, and, above all, always made time to be with family.

She is survived by her husband Bill Wehner, their children Skip, Rob, Rick, and Kristin, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, her siblings Beth, Keb, Warren, and Robert and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Gina Bellows and her son James.

A celebration of life will be held at Horan & McConaty (7577 West 80th Ave., Arvada, CO 80003) in Spring of 2025. Further details will follow.