Obituary of Shelley R. Blandin

Shelley R. Blandin, 58, of Evans passed away suddenly at her home on March 18, 2023.  She was born March 19, 1964 in Laramie, WY to Felden Lynn and Georgia K. (Strayer) Austin, the youngest of three girls.  They lived in Medicine Bow, WY until her father passed away.  Her mom then moved the family to a ranch near Saratoga, WY. 

Shelley graduated from Saratoga High School and married shortly after.  They had two daughters; Michelle and Chelsi.  They moved to various places throughout the U.S. before she divorced and moved to Laramie, WY.  She responded to a personal ad in the Laramie newspaper, meeting Sam Blandin.  They married on February 14, 1990 in Steamboat Springs and had a son, Sam Blandin, Jr.  They lived on Sam’s family cattle ranch near Walden, CO before moving to Briggsdale, CO and finally settled in Evans where Shelley was at her favorite place.  She enjoyed her flower gardens and a nice yard that they couldn’t get to grow in other places. 

Shelley loved being a mom, being able to stay home and raise her kids.  She also adored her grandchildren.  She loved to sit outside on the deck in her swing and knit or color in her Johanna Basford books for hours.  She also enjoyed trips to Estes Park, staying in a cabin with a cozy fireplace, eating at her favorite restaurant in Estes, then getting a tiger butter covered apple while sitting and watching the tourists.  If they weren’t in Estes Park, they loved camping in their camper in the mountains.  Her great adventure was an Alaskan cruise, and she was hopeful to return again.  She also had a great love for animals, especially dogs and cats. 

Shelley is survived by her husband, Sam, children; Michelle (Josh) Jones of Laramie, WY, Chelsi (James) Sievers of Kersey and Sam Jr. of Evans as well as four grandchildren; Colter and Cash Jones, Makayla Silvey and Natasha Sievers, her sisters Kristy of Saratoga, WY and Gayla of Cheyenne, WY and her mother Georgia (Ernie) Nelson of Laramie, WY.  She was preceded in death by her father. 

The family requests that any memorial gifts in Shelley’s name be made to “Soul Dog Rescue” of Fort Lupton or the “Weld County Humane Society” in care of Adamson, 2000 47^th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.  Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares.com.