Jo Ann Zender

Arriving with the light on the winter solstice in 1933, Jo Ann (Lusson) Zender left with the waning light of her 90th year, on June 17, 2023. Born to William P. Lusson and Mary E. Culbert, and raised following Mary's death by their father and Jean Lusson, Jo Ann and her brother Don grew up in Cresco and Iowa Falls, Iowa. Jo Ann received her BA and first Master's Degree from the Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She met Joe Zender in a theater class, and they married after graduation. After having 4 children and teaching for several years in Iowa and Minnesota, Jo Ann and family moved to Boulder in 1971. Jo Ann began working as a bookkeeper, and, having a talent for numbers, earned a Master's degree in Accounting from CU and became a licensed CPA. She ultimately became the Chief Financial Officer for BOA Construction in Denver for several years before retiring in 2004. Jo Ann served on the Board of Directors for the local and regional YWCA and was part of the US contingent in both Africa and Australia for World YWCA Conferences. She explored Machu Picchu and Italy with friends, and she and Joe enjoyed traveling together to various parts of Europe, Russia and the US. After retirement, Jo Ann rediscovered her theatrical interests and talent, and she participated in many performances with the community theater group, VIVA. She also served on the board of the Society for Creative Aging. Jo Ann had an adventurous side, which led her to perform modern dance in church, learn to belly dance, and, in her 70s, appear onstage in a midriff and platform shoes. Despite being afraid of the water, she learned to scuba dive and took several dive trips to warm places with friends and family. She practiced yoga and pilates, cherished daily walks with friends and enjoyed lively discussions of politics and current events. She was an avid reader, a tireless volunteer and an advocate for women and girls. She fiercely loved and supported her family; the light will always be a touch dimmer for us now. She leaves behind her brother Don and family; her four children: Julie Zender, Jaime Zender (Jill), Jennifer Zender, and Janaan Zender (Jennifer Shannon); eight grandchildren: Aaron Quilling (Lieschen Gargano), Nathan Quilling (Dr. Chelsea Roberts), Chelsea Quilling (Helen Carpenter), Morgan Fuller Kolsrud (Brede Kolsrud), Kelly Fullmeyer (Mitch), Colin Borchardt, Mia Zender and Sean Zender; and five great granddaughters: Emerson Quilling, Mackenzie Quilling, Genevieve Quilling, Lily Fullmeyer, and Kayleigh Kolsrud. She is greatly loved and missed by all of us. A celebration of life will take place in Boulder on her 90th birthday, December 21, 2023. Donations may be made in her name to the YWCA of Boulder County.