Jean Ann Kleeves

Jean Ann Kleeves went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 3, 2025, in Montrose, Colorado at the age of 93.

Born on May 13, 1931, in Denver, Colorado to Merrill R. and Dorothy C. Kidd, she lived in various towns on the Front Range. At age 13, she left Colorado with her mother and brother to attend Bob Jones High School/University in Tennessee after her father was killed in World War II in the Battle of the Bulge. While in school, she met her roommate’s brother, Joel, in Michigan and the rest is history. She married Joel at age 19 and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in July of 2015. 

Jean Ann loved to share her faith in Jesus Christ with everyone and was actively involved in church all her life, including singing in choirs, being a youth group leader, and mentoring. She was one of the first members of Celebration Church in Montrose. Second to Jesus, her family was the most important part of her life. She prayed for her family by name every day. Regularly, she organized family meals and get togethers to keep all the extended family connected.

She was a wonderful homemaker, cook, and baker, and loved to entertain family and friends. Joel and Jean Ann owned and operated a guest ranch, the Double JK Ranch, for 21 years in Estes Park, Colorado. They moved to the Vee Bar Ranch out of Laramie, Wyoming for a short period before moving to Montrose, Colorado in 1987. In Montrose they were involved in helping their grown kids on an orchard and cattle ranch. They also owned and operated  Montrose County Shopper for several years. Jean Ann’s favorite past time was buying and fixing up houses and properties and reselling them. She had a gift for decorating and turned the ordinary into exquisite. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joel Kleeves. She is survived by her two children: Dale (Maggie) Kleeves, Montrose, CO, Dawn (Dave) Bowman, Olathe, CO along with her grandchildren, Grant (Andrea Sokolowski) Kleeves, Ridgway, CO, Chad (Brittani) Kleeves, Montrose, CO, Alicia (Jared) Harper, Madison, MS, Andrew (Sarah) Bowman, Olathe, CO. Great grandchildren: Kaydence, Wilder, and Ridge Kleeves, and Madilynn and Titus Harper, and Kyanne and Rio Bowman.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Celebration Church – Far More Abundantly Campaign (Building Fund), 2900 Sunnyside Road, Montrose, CO 81401 or the Native American Missions (on memo line - for Apache MP3 Bibles), 3456 F Road, Clifton, CO 81520. 

A Celebration of Life service for Jean Ann will be on Sunday, February 16th at 3:00 at Celebration Church in Montrose, Colorado.