Former Salida resident Jeanne Adele Schoech, 76, died April 20, 2021, in Clifton, Colorado.
Jeanne was born October 18, 1944, to Maxine Bradbury and Gene Stanwood. Jeanne grew up in Ellis, Kansas. Jeanne’s fondest memories of her childhood included a love of dance, travels with her Grandpa Max, and the joys of growing up in a small town. She later attended Fort Hays State University where she furthered her love of the arts.
In 1966, she married David Schoech. During the first years of their marriage, Jeanne and David lived in California while David served in the Navy. A desire to be close to family brought the young couple back to Kansas in 1970.
Jeanne savored these years being close to family but also found joy fostering her own personal love of dance. Jeanne opened her own dance studio in the basement of their family home. It wasn’t long before Jeanne’s studio expanded and she was busy offering classes and coordinating recitals. Jeanne’s love of dance was also shared with all of her children, as each of her four children took classes, performed in recitals, and continued through the generations. In 1986, Jeanne and David followed their dream of moving to Colorado. Jeanne continued to teach dance but also discovered a love for teaching in schools. Jeanne spent many years working as a paraprofessional supporting students receiving special education services related to an emotional or behavioral disability. Jeanne had an amazing way of blending all the things she loved in life.
Her professional work was no different. During her time working in schools, Jeanne brought dance, dogs, and her love of reading to students. Jeanne developed Paws for Reading, an after school reading program where students had an opportunity to read aloud to a dog, Kids in Action, which provided creative dance lessons to elementary students, and provided the students she supported access to unlimited love, devotion, trust, and learning through her development Dog Days, a therapy and dog training program utilized in the special education classroom where Jeanne taught. Jeanne savored her many adventures with dogs and captured this in the book she published titled Hank and Company: Paws for Therapy.
After Jeanne had finished raising her children, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of obtaining a college education. Jeanne left her home of Salida, Colorado for the big city. She moved to Aurora, Colorado and completed her Associate of the Arts degree, and went on to work as an educator in preschools. She also continued to advocate for students and dogs by developing a therapy dog organization at a local residential treatment center. Jeanne always believed in the healing bond that is built between a dog and a human and modeled this belief all her life. Jeanne spent the last years of her life living in Clifton, Colorado. She was thankful for the time spent closer to her daughter Jana, and two grandchildren, Josh and Morgan.
During this time, Jeanne continued to support her love of dogs by becoming a board member of the Grand Valley Kennel Club where she supported the annual dog show, volunteering with students to provide a foundation of dog knowledge, and contributing to the animal care fair. Jeanne’s creativity, wisdom, and determination were evident throughout her life! She had an amazing ability to find gratitude in the moment. She was intentional in noticing the snow-capped mountains, the blue sky, the “fairies” in her garden, or the leaves crunching under her feet. She relished in time with family, friendships, sitting on the patio, trips to New Mexico, garage sales, the sight of a hummingbird, homegrown tomatoes, family traditions, a dog at her side, fresh flowers, a good book, dancing, watching the Grand Mesa turn pink, telling stories, and laughing.
Her family and friends are reminded of these words when remembering Jeanne: “you have done all this without a word, a touch or a deed. You have done this by being yourself.” There is no question Jeanne’s love of life and family will live on forever.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, David Schoech, grandparents, Della and Max Underhill, mother, Maxine Bradbury, and father, Gene Stanwood.
Survivors include son, Michael, and wife Mary Schoech, of Russell, Kansas, son, Todd and wife, Christine (Kris) Schoech of Salida, Colorado; daughter, Jana Schoech of Grand Junction, Colorado, daughter, Laura Trapp and husband Jim Trapp of Loveland, Colorado; grandson, Justin Schoech, grandson, Matt Schoech, granddaughter, Jessica Schoech, grandson, Josh Reynolds, granddaughter, Morgan Reynolds, grandson, Easton Trapp, granddaughter, Presley Trapp, and a great-grandchild, Analeigha and David Schoech. Also surviving is a brother, Donald Bradbury. Burial and service are planned at Mount Hope Cemetery, Ellis Kansas on July 24, 2021, at 10:00 am. A brunch at Ellis Public Library will follow.
Please take a moment to read or share a memory about Jeanne by visiting the following link: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/grand-junction-co/jeanne-schoech-10162165