CEROVSKI, WILMA JEAN
Wilma Jean Cerovski, better known as WJ to her beloved husband Frank, passed away peacefully early on the morning of August 21. Jean was born in Boone, Missouri on May 27, 1926, the daughter of Rollo and Ruth Springer. She attended and graduated from CSU. This probably made for some interesting viewing when the Rams played the Buffs in the Rocky Mountain Showdown as Frank was a CU grad.
Jean was born with education in her DNA. She started teaching in Yampa County and met Frank there at a teacher’s dormitory and they eventually ended up in the Denver area. Two mainstays became part of her life. 647 Winona Court in Denver became home and the place where she and Frank raised their 3 children. South Lakewood Elementary was the other mainstay as she taught there for 45 years and became a much loved and caring teacher. One of many touching stories that is emblematic of her love for children revolves around a brand new student from Iowa that showed up in Ms Cerovski’s 4th grade class. She was being raised by a single mother. The father was nowhere to be seen. It so happened that early in the South Lakewood Elementary calendar a Father/daughter Dance had been scheduled. The new student, Michelle (Shelly)had no father to go with, so Jean being Jean, arranged for Frank to accompany her as a surrogate father. Jean’s fellow teachers have told the three Cerovski children many times about how thrilled Shelly was to attend that first major function at her new school. They’ve shared voluminous other stories about how caring, loving, patient and all around wonderful she was with her students. Jean continued to teach as a substitute after she “retired” and did so until she approached the ripe young age of 90. She had a Lifetime Teaching Certificate from the state of Colorado and she certainly used it.
Jean and Frank had three children. Errol is the oldest and will be quick to tell you that his mom handled everything that faced her with grace and toughness. Michael, the second child, was born on his mom’s birthday. He’ll tell ya that he was the best birthday present WJ ever got. The other two kids may disagree. Joyce is the youngest and followed her mother into the education profession. If you spend anytime near Westminster High School alums from 1971 to 2007, you’ll hear them talk about the second legendary Cerovski teacher. Acorns and trees!
Frank Cerovski passed away on October 29, 2020. He left behind a trail of bread crumbs and WJ has followed them and they will be having a “large” time in the 647 Winona Ct. in the sky.
Pencils to the end!
Services will be at Newcomer West Chapel on 901 So. Sheridan Blvd, Lakewood, 80226 on September 8, 2021 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Max Fund in Denver.