Dorene Wendland Obituary

Wendland
Dorene Elenore Wendland
March 2, 1936
January 14, 2025

Dorene E. Wendland, affectionately known as Rene, was born in LaMars, Iowa on March 2nd, 1936, to Claude and Melba Brown. At 6 months old, her family moved to CO where Claude accepted positions as principal of Las Animas High School, and later as Dean of Otero Jr College in LaJunta, CO. Dorene graduated with honors at LaJunta High School in 1954 and went on to attend college at Colorado State University on a Boettcher Scholarship. During her junior year, she was awarded the opportunity to travel as a soloist with her coral group to Japan, and Korea.
Upon graduating college in 1957, Dorene began a 34-year teaching career at Edison grade school in Colorado Springs, CO. During her teaching adventures, she served as secretary for the Colorado Springs teaching association and earned a master's degree from Colorado Western State in 1970.
On August 1st, 1959, Dorene married Ralph Wendland in LaJunta, CO. They had their only daughter on July 8th, 1961.
Dorene overcame her fear of the water and became a Coast Guard Auxiliary Coxswain and Qualification Examiner. She won many awards and held several leadership positions. Alongside many achievements, she held the 8th western CGA financial officer position for over 2 decades. Separate from Coast Guard roles, Rene traveled to San Diego, CA and earned her 100-ton Captain's license.
After living in Colorado for 87 years, Dorene relocated for health reasons to Kingman, AZ in January of 2024. She passed peacefully of heart failure on January 14th, 2025.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years Ralph, Daughter Juanita (Marty) Rothschild, Grandson Garold (Michael) Jason, and Great Grandchildren Jordan Flack and Maxwell Jason. Preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Shirley Brewster.
To many, Rene was a Saint, but to her family she was the rock. There are no words to describe how much she will be missed, but she will live on because of the love we still have left to give.