Janet Lynn Denbleyker

Janet Lynn DenBleyker, age 77, passed away on October 4, 2026, at her home in Lakewood, Colorado. She was born on October 31, 1948, in Wilmington, Delaware, to John and Marjorie DenBleyker. She was the oldest of nine children, a trailblazer for her eight siblings as they took their place as “pastor’s kids” in a loving and active household.

Jan’s parents were keenly aware that their first born was smart, a leader, and a dependable sister. She excelled in school, earning top grades and awards. As a high school junior, she left home for France as an exchange student for one year. She returned to the U.S. able to speak French fluently. She graduated from Millville High School in 1967, After graduation, she attended Douglass College at Rutgers University on a full-ride scholarship. She graduated with Phi Beta Kappa status, earning a B.A. in Latin and French Education.

Jan launched into secondary education, teaching high school French and Latin classes until she moved to Colorado in 1987. In that sixteen-year period, she became a beloved teacher and friend to her students and colleagues. She coached a girls’ swim team in 1972, the first year that Title 9 was passed into law, because the girls in her class asked her to coach. She couldn’t swim, didn’t know the names of the strokes, had had no training, yet managed to lead her team to the State championship. She claims all she said to them was, “Swim faster.” Apparently, they listened.

In 1976 Jan married Ralph Warfel, a man she met at church. In 1978 her son, Timothy Scott, was born. She referred to that day as the happiest day of her life. Two years later, a daughter, Stephanie, was born – a sweet, giggly little girl who loved dresses and singing. Jan was a teacher, wife, mother, church leader, and friend to so many. Leaving New Jersey for Colorado was a ripping from cherished family and friends, however, she landed on her feet and made Lakewood her home.

In 1992 she started a new life as a single mom. She began a second career as a paralegal at Sherman & Howard, a law firm in Denver. She worked for a senior attorney who expected her to draft perfect and unique estate planning documents for his prominent clients. And she delivered them. She studied the law and perfected each project, training others to do the same. She could spot a double period in a sentence from a mile away. Her efforts extended the work life of the senior attorney, and she became his venerable friend. Her weekends and evenings were spent tutoring home schoolers in Latin, managing a household, and leading groups and committees at her church. She did it all with excellence, bringing her best self to each task.

Jan was an accomplished and respected person; ask anyone who brushed up against her. But those God-given gifts were not the best of what she gave to the world. Although she spoke with eloquence in three languages, although she moved mountains with her intelligence and productivity, although she led and taught with distinction, she found a more excellent way to make a difference.

The Apostle Paul, in I Cor 13, set us straight about the futility of a life focused on cultural successes and accolades. He said it would be noisy, like a clanging cymbal – hard on the ears and less than impactful in the grand scheme of life. The more excellent way, he said, was to love from the heart with humility, self-sacrifice, and the acceptance of all humans as made in the image of God. Jan lived as one transformed by the life of Jesus. She loved the unlovable. She forgave the unforgivable. She showed up, stayed up, and cleaned up when life was messy. Jan set aside her achievements and cheered the achievements of others instead. She was the first to apologize and the last to sit down when someone needed her. This was the more excellent way – the way of loving the way Jesus loved.

She dedicated her life to knowing Jesus more each day, like a child molded by a loving parent. She knew Him as the God who loved her unconditionally, even when things didn’t go her way. Jan lived a life of gratitude even as she endured betrayal, disappointments, and ultimately a terminal diagnosis. She wept with those who wept and rejoiced over a friend’s smallest victory. She was an image bearer of Jesus, representing Him with integrity and confidence. The transformation affected by Jesus in her 77 years of life is her greatest legacy.

She is survived by her son, Tim Warfel, and daughter in law, Erika Velasquez; her daughter, Stephanie Zavislan, and son in law, Josh; her grandchildren, Ashley Canonica, Josh Warfel, Jacob Zavislan, and Tyler Zavislan. She is also survived by her five sisters – Dottie, Ruth, Nancy, Carol and Jill, and three brothers – John, Rick, and Jim.