Wendye Washauer King

Wendye Washauer King passed away surrounded by her family on August 16, 2026, at age 75.

A firecracker from the beginning, Wendye Washauer was born on April 8, 1951, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was the second daughter of Jay Merlin Washauer and Marilyn Blumenfeld. She grew up in Baton Rouge and later moved to Mandeville, where she finished high school. As a child, she starred in community theater, playing the lead roles in The Bad Seed and The Miracle Worker as Helen Keller, a fitting beginning for someone who would spend her life bringing heart, determination, and compassion to everything she did.

Throughout her career, Wendye worked for AccuLens, Palin Equipment, and Developmental Pathways, where her compassion for others continued to grow. She ultimately found her greatest fulfillment as the owner and operator of Wendye's Wheels, LLC, where she was able to combine her entrepreneurial spirit with her genuine desire to help others. She found purpose in serving people and took pride in making a difference, one person at a time.

Wendye was preceded in death by her parents and by the love of her life, Thomas David King, whom she married in 1976. Together they built a marriage filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.

She leaves behind a family who loves her: her daughters, Julie King and Amy Ryan; her son-in-law, Timothy Ryan; and the three grandchildren who brought joy to her life and proudly called her Nonnie: Emmett, Nolan, and Meadow. She is also survived by her devoted sister, Gaye Tearnan, along with her niece, nephew, great-niece, great-nephews, and countless dear friends who became family over the years.

Wendye had an extraordinary gift for seeing the best in people. She was unapologetically herself. Those who had the privilege of knowing Wendye know that she was not someone you can simply describe - you had to experience her. She believed in second chances, offered understanding, and met others with remarkable empathy and kindness. She was fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and the kind of friend who showed up when she was needed most. Her greatest legacy will not be found in the jobs she held or the things she owned, but in the countless lives she touched with her compassion, encouragement, and unwavering belief that people deserved grace.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 20th from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Creative Littleton, 5730 S Curtice St. Littleton CO 80120.

In honor of Wendye's vibrant spirit, please wear bright, cheerful colors that remind you of her. Come as you are and come ready to share stories, laughter, and memories as we celebrate her life.