Dani Gail Elenga

About

Wilson High School University of Washington

Dani Elenga Obituary

Dani Gail Elenga was born Nov. 27, 1961 in Denver, CO, and died on July 19, 2009, near Pinedale, WY. She attended schools in Ramstein, Germany, Gig Harbor and Tacoma, WA, and graduated from Wilson High School in Tacoma in 1978, the University of Washington in Seattle with a B.A. in Landscape Architecture in 1986 and a B.A. in Fine Arts in Painting in 1988. She later added a degree in Web Design from Washington Lake Technical College. She was an outstanding student, a gifted painter, loved art, and promoted plants and environmentally sound gardens, with emphasis on native plants to sustain native animals and insects. Her sense of community drove her to support people in need. Dani moved from Bellevue, WA, to Colorado Springs, CO, to care for her father for the last four years of his life. She met her friend Daniel Wahlen two years ago who shared her interests and helped her. They were happy together and had many plans for the future. Dani and Daniel, and another couple from Colorado Springs, Edward J. Rudolf and his wife Gwen Rudolph, were killed in a two-car crash near Pinedale, WY, when Daniel tried to avoid a deer crossing the road. Dani died in a helicopter on the way to a trauma center in Idaho. She was preceded in death by her father Lester Elenga and her friend Daniel Wahlen. Dani is survived by her mother, Sigrid Elenga, and her stepfather, Steve Smyth, her brothers Glenn and Robin Elenga, her sister-in-law Maureen, her niece Sofia, her nephew Otto, her aunts, Gertrude, Dolores, Vroni, Helgard, Birgit, and their husbands and children, and many cousins on either side of the family in the United States, Germany, England, Holland, and Israel, and a host of friends in Colorado Springs and the greater Seattle area. Burial was at the Home of Peace Cemetery in Lakewood, WA, at 11 am on August 14th. A memorial service led by Rabbi Don Levy will be held at 11 am on August 25th at Temple Beit Torah, 522 East Madison in Colorado Springs.

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Published by The Gazette on Aug. 16, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Dani Elenga

Sponsored by Sigrid E. Elenga, mother of Dani.

13 Entries

Billy Long

September 22, 2012

My name is Billy Long, I was Dani cousin, we did not always get along, heard she had died but did not know how or why.

Greg Benton

March 11, 2010

I was at Wilson with Dani and later got to know her at U of W. I'm shocked and saddened to learn of her passing. It has been years since I last spoke with her but I still remember her as one of the most gentle and kind person I've known. My condolences to Dani's family.

Dave Dodson

September 10, 2009

Dani will be so missed by all of us who knew her. Her quiet smile could brighten a room.

Frank Sanborn

September 8, 2009

I meet Dani through a mutual friend, and hung out together at a weekly game nights, we was a wonderful person, and is going to be missed by everyone she touched... I sent my deepest condolences to her family and other friends.... You will be missed.....

Erik & Tessa Rehfeld

September 8, 2009

Dani was always so kind, gentle, and full of life. We missed her when she moved to Colorado and were incredibly saddened to hear the news of her loss. She will be missed and never forgotten.

Chris Anderson

September 7, 2009

Those of us in Seattle have missed her for the last couple of years. A member of our Group and a great friend to us all. She deserved the best in life and I hope that her time in CO was fantastic for her. She was a joy to be around and always lifted the mood for us here in Seattle. She will be greatly missed!

Jennifer Bahneman

September 7, 2009

I worked with Dani at Pacific Fabrics in Bellevue for many years. We became close friends and spent time outside of work together, for many years. She saw me through some of the toughest times in my life and was there for some of my happiest. I have missed her since she moved to Colorado and was devastated to hear this news from her mother recently. She will be greatly missed by her friends in the Seattle area. She was a dear friend and a lovely person.

"A founding member of our Group will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. A sad day." -Eric Kwant, spoken for all of us.

Carrie Woofter

August 25, 2009

Dear Family of Dani, I am so pleased you had a service here so that we could all say farewell to Dani. She was such a kind and gentle soul, my life is better because I knew her. I hope that your warm memories of her will help you as you grieve and move forward with your life. Dani was such a special part of my job at the Thrift House and I looked forward to seeing her. Though she has moved on she left a little part of herself with so many people that she will live on forever in our thoughts and hearts. Shalom, Carrie Woofter, Colorado Springs.

Stephanie

August 22, 2009

I worked in Borders at the Seattles Best. Dani was a regular there and we all loved her dearly. We will miss the wonderful conversations we had with such a beautiful person.

Kelsey Kramer

August 21, 2009

She was one of the nicest people who shopped at Borders and was always so sweet. May she rest in peace. Kelsey

August 19, 2009

Dani was a regular at the Seattle's Best at Borders. Finding this, when we were all worried after not seeing her, was awful. I'm so sorry to all her family and friends. We all loved her at Seattle's Best and will miss making her 3 shot americano. ~Brolie

August 18, 2009

Many loving thoughts and prayers to Dani's family and friends. I'm glad I got to meet you at Marcy's Seder dinner at Passover. Rest in peace gentle soul.

Sincerely,
Cassandra (Cassy) Hicks
Colorado Springs

August 17, 2009

Rest in peace Daniela. I am sorry I did not get to know you better.
JTHarshbarger

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