May 7, 1942 - February 17, 2023
Janet L. Volmer, affectionately known as “Big Chief” by her three children, passed away at the age of 80, on February 17th, 2023, in her home in Loveland, CO. She was born and raised in Wolsey, South Dakota by Hans and Beatrice Namanny, with her four sisters and her brother. She moved to Rapid City, SD where she lived with her sister June Baker for some time. There she met a crazy loving man, Del Volmer, whom she loved and married in 1963. They spent their lives creating a home together, choosing a new path that led them to Colorado Springs, CO in 1974, which molded and changed their family, forming a positive future for each of them. A move their kids have always thanked them for.
Janet was nothing short of a great mother! She lived for her children, providing a safe and loving home. She communicated with trust and compassion, while maintaining a strong hand, or in the boy’s case, the threat of the yardstick! (Which they mostly laughed about!) She was a stay-at-home mother until her three children were all in school full time. She then chose a 20 year career with Hewlett-Packard where she created memories, friendships and a strong work ethic. After Del’s death in 1995, Janet started searching for a new path, and in December of 1997, she retired, sold the family home and moved to Loveland, CO where two of her children resided.
She spent the next 25 years creating memories with her kids, extended family and friends. She traveled, shopped, decorated her home for every holiday, quilted, formed collections of items which she enjoyed, and participated in volunteer work. Shopping and collecting were two of Janet’s favorite past times! She acquired a large collection of Swarovski Crystals, antiques, and of course jumped on board the Beanie Baby craze. (She has hundreds of them!) Instead of a paying job, she volunteered at McKee hospital for 17 years working in the gift shop and also helped to perform hearing tests on newborns. Her last years she also volunteered with the Loveland Police Department Records Division and helped them for five years. She loved that work, the staff and going to the office weekly.
Janet was a compassionate and strong lady! The anchor of her family and the best supervisor there was, thus earning her the a.k.a. “Big Chief”. Her support of her children was nothing short of extraordinary; she loved them all unconditionally, supported their individuality and helped guide them on their chosen paths. What more could any child hope for.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert L. Volmer, her brother Richard Namanny, her sisters; Joyce Rodman, Maxine Hein, and June Baker. She is survived by her sister Shirley Bell, and her children Jason Volmer, Carmen and Darren Bloom, Lance Volmer and Dana Goode.
She elected to not have a funeral service or a celebration of life, and she will be resting in peace at the Loveland Burial Park where there is a family plot and headstone in place.
Donations can be made in memory of Janet Volmer to Carmen Bloom. All donations will be divided between Loveland FOP Lodge 52 and Longmont FOP Lodge 6 Benevolent Funds to assist our local police officers in their time of need.
Heaven’s lucky to have her, so were we.
