Dona Jean (Heberlein) Kenline

Dona Jean Kenline passed on to her reward on April 27, 2022.  She was 83 years old. She was a loving and devoted Christian wife and mother. She bravely fought with great optimism and internal fortitude a nearly year long battle with cancer.  Although the last year has been difficult, it was a blessing to have that time to spend together.  Dona was born on May 20, 1938 in Greeley, Colorado, to George Heberlein and Edna (Ruff) Heberlein.  She was the second of two daughters.  She graduated from Highland High School in Ault, Colorado in 1957. She attended University in Boulder for two years before meeting the love of her life, Dr. John (Jack) Kenline, while vacationing with her mother at the Glenwood Hot Springs pool in 1960.  They married in July of that same year and remained wed for 58 years until Jack passed away in 2018. Together, Dona and Jack shared many adventures, raised three sons, and operated Kenline Veterinary Clinic from 1967 to 1998.  In 2003, Dona and Jack invested along with their oldest son, Bill, in a motel in Colorado Springs. She remained involved in weekly bookkeeping and management support up until her cancer diagnosis in August of 2021. After Jack’s death, Dona's health was very good and she took her three sons and their families on a wonderfully memorable trip to Cozumel in 2018.  She also traveled with the Germans from Russia tour group in 2019 to see a point of origin of her more recent ancestors.  

Dona was always up for anything.  She enjoyed cards, board games, gardening, hiking, and was great at entertaining family and friends on special occasions.  With her "can do" spirit, nothing was impossible.  She liked to throw herself into projects and see them through. Even the incredibly devastating diagnosis of stage four cancer that spread throughout her body was but a temporary set back.  Before long, she was focused on how to fight it and embraced her fate with hope and a smile while armed with the love of her savior Jesus Christ. She was an inspiration to friends and family, especially in these last months.  

Dona is survived by her sons, William, 60, of Colorado Springs, Douglas, 58, of Reston, Virginia, and Jonathan, 52, and his wife, Michelle of Penrose and grandchildren, Logan and Emma.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Kenline; her parents, George and Edna Heberlein and her sister, Joyce (Heberlein) Nelson.

The family and Dona wish to give special acknowledgment to Heather at Safewatch and the staff at Skyline Ridge Nursing Facility for the incredible love and care they showed her during this struggle. Gratitude and love also go out to all her wonderful friends who were so very special and have always been invaluable to Dona and her family.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on May 17, 2022 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church: 801 Sheridan in Canon City, Colorado.  Interment to follow at Mountain Vale Memorial Gardens.

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