Betty Jean Woodis

Betty “Jean” Woodis, age 89, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away Friday, October 2, 2015 at home on the family farm. Jean was born Betty Jean Spencer on March 24, 1926, at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, daughter of Ernest and Jean (Wallace) Spencer. She grew up in Denver, Hereford, and Lakewood Colorado. During her senior year at Lakewood High School, her father passed away. So upon graduation, Jean went to work and helped her mother support her younger brother, Wally and sister, Rita. In 1944, she married Rudy Zehnder. During the World War II years, Jean became a federal service employee. She worked at the Lowry Air Force base (CO) in cost accounting and by the end of the war; she was head of the office. After the war, Jean and Rudy moved to the farm west of Standley Lake. They had seven children; Diane, Rudy, Ernie, Carol, Brain, Barbara, and Stephen. As the children became 4-H members, they primarily had dairy projects, so naturally Jean became a 4-H leader for the next 15 years. Through the years, the girl that was city-born had adapted to the country and became dairy oriented. In 1967, she and the children assumed full responsibility of the herd of 43 head. In seven years the herd was built to 96 head of registered Holsteins with several excellents that bore her prefix, JEANZ. In 1973, she married John Woodis a former dairy farmer and employee of MEDA. In 1974, the JEANZ herd was dispersed. She served as Colorado Holstein Assn. Secretary/Treasurer for 17 years, during which time she was instrumental in establishing the Colorado Holstein Scholarship. Served as a director for 10 years on the Mountain Empire Dairyman's Assn. Board. She became the first woman to be appointed to represent semen sales, when she became an exclusive distributor for Tri-State Breeders in Colorado. At this time she started her own business, Depend-A-Bull Semen Service. She also was on the AAA Mating Program as one of the maters under the direction of Bill Weeks. Other accomplishments include: • Served on the Northwest Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. • Member of St. Anne's Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society. • Board of Director on the North Plains Planning Community. Jean is survived by husband, John of Arvada, CO; three daughters: Diane Ossenkop of Lincoln, NE, Carol (Stan) McGarvey of Bellvue, CO, and Barbara Kirkmeyer of Brighton, CO; four sons: Rudy (Carol) Zehnder of Lakewood, CO, Ernie Zehnder of Arvada, CO, Brian (Terri) Zehnder of Arvada, CO, and Stephen (LuAnn) Zehnder of Greeley, CO; two step-daughters: Nancy Worster of Long Beach, CA and Sharon Woodis of Byers, CO; two step-sons: Larry (Irma) Woodis of Ft. Myers, FL and Bobby (Jane) Woodis of Sidney, NE; a sister-in-law, Ardella Stake of Parker, CO; 26 Grandchildren, 27 Great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother, her former husband, and Uncle Al. Services will be at 10:00AM on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 12735 W. 58th Ave, Arvada, Colorado, 87002 (303-420-1232). Reception following at the Church Ranch Event Center, 10200 Wadsworth Blvd, Westminster, Colorado, 80021 In lieu of flowers; donations can be made to the Colorado Holstein Scholarship Fund for a memorial to benefit Holstein Youth are in care of: Gertie Chapin, 10868 Highway 144, Weldona, Colorado, 80653.