Bette (Bendell) Lunn

Heaven welcomed a beautiful, kind and sassy soul, on Friday, when Mrs. Bette Lunn (nee Bendell) peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the age of 85.

Bette was born to parents Alma and David Bendell on January 26,1936 in Akron, Ohio.   She was the oldest of three and earned a degree in Music Education from Akron University.  In 1957 she married the love of her life and her husband of 64 years, James Lunn.  Lured to the Colorado mountains by a love of the outdoors, they moved to Pueblo, Colorado in 1970 to start their family. 

Bette will be remembered as someone whose love for her family and friends was boundless, and for her servant’s heart which touched the lives of many through her long career as a Music Educator in the Pueblo School District #60 and work at Wesley United Methodist Church and Damon Runyon Repertory Theatre.  She fostered a love of music in countless young people through her inclusive and unwavering love of the performing arts.  She gave her time generously and was active in the Colorado Music Education Association as President (1996-1998) and was recognized for her excellence as an educator when she was inducted into the Colorado Music Educator Hall of Fame (1999-2000).  Bette loved the mountains and enjoyed traveling, camping, and hiking with her family.  Bette will be remembered by anyone fortunate enough to cross paths with her for her musical gifts, generous smile and sense of humor, kindness, mentorship, and unconditional love.

Bette is survived by her husband, James Lunn, and their children Donna Solverud (Lunn) and her husband Truman, David Lunn and his wife Lori, both of who she passed her love of music to and are music educators, and her brother Don Bendell as well as sister-in-law Marti Lantz (Lunn) and her husband David and Brother-in-law Phil Lunn and his wife Ruth.  She was preceded in death by her brother Bruce Bendell.  She will be missed dearly by her 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews, friends and students.

No service is planned at this time.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Colorado Music Educators Association, which supports music education in Colorado, which was Bette’s life work.  https://cmeaonline.org/donate/

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Condolences (8)

  • Anonymous

    Condolences Jim. Bette was a great teacher & a sweet colleague! Charlie & Judy Rodriguez

  • Joe Bonacquista

    We are so sorry to learn of Bette’s passing. I enjoyed my association with Bette as my colleague for many years at East High School. She was such a warm and caring person sharing those admirable traits with both her students and fellow teachers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim and family. Joe and June Bonacquista

  • Connie, Todd and Tonya Skoglund

    Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of your wife and mom. Bette was an incredible force, an inspiring teacher, a devoted mom and wife. She had a sincere impact on all our lives and know that her light shines on in every one she touched.

  • Lois Conatore-Houpe

    To Mr. Lunn, Donna, David and loved ones, my deepest, heartfelt condolences to you. Mrs. Lunn was an amazing, amazing woman. It was always my honor to know both Mr. and Mrs. Lunn, as educators and then as colleagues. I knew and admired Mr. Lunn since I, myself, was a student at Central, and then became colleagues when I began my teaching career at my alma mater. I got to know Mrs. Lunn when I student taught at East. She took me under her wing, so to speak, and found the time to greet me with a hug and words of encouragement daily. Her mentorship meant the world to me. I was a Social.Studies major and yet this Music teacher was making time to be there for me. She was so positive and inspiring. She was so very highly respected by her students there. She was firm, but fair, and her choirs, from Beginning to her Les Jongliers select group, were awesome! Bette just knew how to hring out the best talent from her students. When Donna and David were students at Central, it was always a delight to see her at various school activities and events, her big, beautiful smile and personality filling the room. I loved seeing Mr. and Mrs. Lunn in various places after both retired. Even when facing difficult times, she was always ready with her warmth, her smile, her kindness and her words to encourage others. I know this is a huge loss for you all that will leave a very empty place in your lives for a bit. But I trust that God will soon make the memories flood your hearts with such tremendous love and the knowledge that all she gave to you, especially her love, will mean she lives on for generations to come. May God's peace also surround and comfort you. Yes, we have lost a great woman, but the choirs of Heaven just gained one heck of a fantastic Choir teacher, one of the best ever! Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..... With loving thoughts to all, Lois Conatore-Houpe

  • Ramona Kovak

    My sympathies to the family. Mrs. Lunn was my Choir Teacher at Pueblo East Highschool. She was my favorite teacher. I will never forget her.

  • Lynae Lockhart (Metcalf)

    My deepest sympathy to her family, I was her student. She told me to never stop singing, she was my favorite teacher. Traveled with her to compete at state. I have been singing every since, 40 yrs now. A beautiful light has gone out, rest in paradise Mrs. Lunn. Thank you ???????

  • Sherry Ditman

    Bette was a marvelous teachet and mentor to so many. Her love of life, children and music was evident to everyone that met her. We will all miss her.

  • Betty & Gary Mead

    We are deeply saddened to see of your loss. Bette was a colleague, mentor to our son, Brook Mead, who is a high school music educator, and most of all a dear friend. We send our love to Jim, David, & Donna, during this sad time.

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