Steamboat Pilot & Today

Greeley resident Jennifer T. Wells passed away in a plane crash Jan. 11, 2005, near Rawlins, Wyo. She was 30.

Jennifer Theresa Smelker was born June 10, 1974, in Burlington to Doyle and Christina Smelker. She was known as Jenny to her friends and loved ones.

Jenny attended school in the Stratton School District. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Northern Colorado, where she earned a bachelor's degree in community health. She went on to complete a bachelor's degree in nursing.

On June 1, 1996, Jenny married Adam Berrett Wells at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton.

Jenny worked as a registered nurse in the emergency room at the North Colorado Medical Center, where she helped the severely injured and very sick. Last summer, Jenny took a per diem position in the emergency room at Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs to be closer to Adam, who was working in Kremmling. She recently started training to become a medical flight nurse, her lifelong dream.

Jenny grew up on a farm and ranch near Stratton. As she grew up and moved away, she always kept her roots close to her heart. She cherished her time at home with her family, whether it was during the holidays, harvest time or just to be home.

From the first time she knew she could have a dream, Jenny dreamed of being a nurse. She loved caring for everything, from the gravely sick to her pets and flower gardens. Not only did she take care of people physically, she also took care of many spiritually, giving hope and confidence to many women as a Mary Kay beauty consultant.

Jenny was an avid outdoor enthusiast. She had an appreciation of outdoor sports and nature, and she loved the excitement that came with spending time outdoors.

She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, friend and nurse. She will be remembered as the most beautiful person anyone has ever met, both inside and out, as well as for her selfless dedication and her ultimate sacrifice to others in need.

Jenny was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ivan and Wilma Smelker; her maternal grandfather, Edward Lacey; Adam's maternal grandparents, Stan and Helen Wells; and two uncles, Gerald Smelker and Peter Lacey.

She is survived by her husband Adam; her parents, Doyle and Christina Smelker; her mother- and father-in-law, Rhondda and Stan Wells; two brothers, Scott Smelker and his wife, Shannon, and Nathan Smelker and his friend, Misty Parker; three sisters, Christy and her husband, Kevin Ruskusky, of Lakewood, Nancy and her husband, Craig Stevens, of Centennial and Kaitlyn Smelker of Stratton; her maternal grandmother, Mary Lacey of Sioux Falls, S.D.; two sisters-in-law; her husband's maternal grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A funeral service was held Jan. 17, 2005, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton. Burial was in Claremont Cemetery in Stratton.

Memorial donations may be made to the Jennifer T. Wells Memorial Fund in care of First National Bank of Stratton, P.O. Box 286, Stratton, CO 80836.