Wendy Michelle Danenhauer

Wendy Michelle Danenhauer, 43, left this earth on March 31, 2014, to be united with her Lord and Savior after a lifelong illness; she suffered from the effects of Neurofibromatosis, including the Glioblastoma tumor that ended her life. She was born in Sedalia, Mo., on Aug. 27, 1970, and moved to Springdale in 1971, where she lived with her parents, Gerald "Jerry" and Joanne "Joey" Winton Danenhauer. Wendy was preceded in death by her grandparents, Edwin "Ed" and Susanna Rose Winton of Springdale (formerly of Fort Smith), and Carl and Mary Danenhauer of Clay Center, Kan. Also preceding her in death was her uncle, Jerry Baird of Westminister, Colo.; and a cousin, Kelly Danenhauer of Denver, Colo. She is survived by her parents; one sister, Robyn Lynn (Dennis) Wike and their children, Stephanie, and her son, Camden, Alexis Rose and Zane of Springdale; one brother, Chris Winton (Audrea) Danenhauer and their children, Jack, Will and Avanley of Farmington, Ark. On her mother's side, she is survived by one aunt, Suzanne (Suzie) DeLozier of Fayetteville and her children, Josie Ware (Jimmy) Gustafson and son of Tallahassee, Fla., and Shawn (Danielle) DeLozier and children of Tampa Fla.; and her loving stepgrandmother, Helen Haney Winton Gillmore of Springdale, Ark. Wendy's father's side includes her aunt, Carolyn Baird of Conifer, Colo., and her children, Larry Baird of Denver, Colo., Linda Henik of Boerne, Texas, Ted (Tammy) Baird of Conifer, Colo., and Tammy (George) Fitzgerald of Sienna, Austria; uncle, Jim (Fran) Danenhauer of Aurora, Colo., and his children, Scott Danenhauer, Geoff (Danielle) Danenhauer and Anna (Fuzz) Hartley of the Denver area; uncle, Bill (Aggie) Danenhauer of Bella Vista, Ark., and their children, Bill Jr. (Donna) Danenhauer of Omaha, Neb., Becky (Todd) Thatcher of Western, Colo., Bob (Shelly) Danenhauer of Omaha, Neb., and Brenda (Mike) Bland of Lincoln, Neb.; and uncle, Eldon (Linda) Danenhauer of Topeka, Kan., and their children, Kurt (Julie) Danenhauer, also of Topeka, Kan., and Kristi (Drew) Newnham of Eagle, Idaho. There are numerous second cousins. She is also survived by special friends, Melissa Rather Brown of Little Rock, Ark., and Serena Scheele of Bella Vista, Ark., who unconditionally supported her through the years. Wendy, Wee-Wee or Bag Lady, she answered to all of them, but she was best known for her generous spirit and giving ways. Although Wendy taught kindergarten Bible school classes at Robinson Avenue Church of Christ for over 25 years, her true love was with the "older generation." In the last years of her life, she carried hand-held fans and back scratchers for anyone of them in need. Wendy was an honor student, a first place science fair winner, and a recipient of the "Youth Excellence Award" from United Community Services of Northwest Arkansas in both junior high and senior high school. She taught JTPA while attending school herself and was a migrant aide for three years with the Springdale Public School system following her graduation from SHS. One activity Wendy truly enjoyed was making popcorn for the SWJH basketball games and later working with the Kiwanis Club to make popcorn for their Kids' Day Football and Little Olympics activities. At home she liked making her incredible Chex Mix with extra pecans and large cashews, and working on Bible lessons for her "kindergarten-kids." Wendy volunteered at Northwest Medical Center Gift Shop from 1996 until her health began to fail her in 2012. She was an avid fan of the Statler Brothers and Donnie and Marie Osmond. She collected the Statler Brothers and Osmond Family 8-track tapes, cassette tapes, DVDs, and taped television shows on both BETA and VHS tapes. The Danenhauer family wants to thank all who have encouraged Wendy along the way. Thanks to the teachers (especially Michelle Boles and Sherry Setser) who understood her disabilities and were willing to give the extra effort to help her to succeed with her peers; Dr. Jim Rollins and Hartzell Jones who had faith in her ability to teach; the faithful doctors, nurses and hard-working aides who cared for her inside and outside Northwest Medical Center; and the Circle of Life Hospice team of Springdale. Also, special thanks to Julie Mitchell Tanner who cared for her family during her first extended hospital stay. We also give thanks to Dr. Jorge Johnson who performed her early surgeries and to Drs. Robert Petrino, Amy Irwin, Brandon Evans and Rodney Routsong who gave her special attention plus insight into her disabilities. Finally, thanks to all the children she touched, to her congregation of friends and elders at Robinson Church of Christ and to our minister Harry Fitzgerald who administered to her spiritual well-being. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Ending Neurofibromatosis Through Research — the Children's Tumor Foundation, 120 Wall St., NY, NY 10005; Circle of Life Home Hospice; Springdale Animal Shelter Foundation; or the Robinson Avenue Church of Christ Children's Program or Missionary Outreach Program. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2014, at Robinson Avenue Church of Christ in Springdale, Ark., with Harry Fitzgerald officiating. Burial will follow at Bluff Cemetery, also located in Springdale, Ark. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Robinson Avenue Church of Christ in Springdale, Ark. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.