Ima Jean was born on January 8, 1943 in Great Bend, Kansas. She was the middle of three daughters to Marie Pozalek and Clarence Atwood. Ima Jean grew up in Russell, Kansas and attended Russell High School, where she was head cheerleader and involved in many school clubs and activities.
Ima Jean attended Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas and married James Windholz after graduation. After moving to Boulder, Colorado in 1965, the couple raised identical twin boys, Grant and Eric, and a girl, Amy. Ima Jean enrolled in the Master’s Program at Metro State University of Denver in 1987 and received her Master’s Degree in Meeting Planning and Management in 1989.
She started her own meeting planning business, The Atwood Company, soon after earning her degree and went on to a successful career, including co-organizing International Business Day at the University of Colorado, and establishing the Women in Business Scholarship to help women achieve their business and personal goals.
In 2010, Ima Jean applied for and was accepted into the Peace Corp and spent over two years in Uganda, Africa, helping a local honey farm establish fair trade practices and grow their business to help sustain their village. Upon her return, Ima Jean often spoke of her love for the country and her desire to return someday.
Ima Jean is survived by a son, Grant Windholz of Loveland, Colorado, his wife Donna and granddaughter Lily; son Eric Windholz of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, his wife Amanda, granddaughter Anna, grandson Andrew and granddaughter Bridget; and daughter Amy Lawrence of Parker, Colorado, her husband Mitch Stelling, grandson James and granddaughter Audrey.
Ima Jean is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Lila Joy and Rita Gay, and twins Andrew Bryce and Audrey Suzanne, who both died at birth.
A celebration of Ima Jean’s life and legacy will be held when friends and family can comfortably gather.
Ima Jean was involved with animal rescue for many years and served on the board of the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.
Contributions may be sent to www.boulderhumane.org/donate to honor her love of animals.
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