Terese "Terri" Wenzel

Terese “Terri” Wenzel, age 66, passed away June 27, 2025, after a brief illness, comfortably with family by her side.

Terri was born on November 20, 1958 in Pueblo, Colorado to Gracie and Frank Taulli. She attended South High School, Class of 1976. She then went on to attend the University of Southern Colorado and work at JCPenney where she met her future husband, Harry, through the company's bowling league. They married on February 14, 1980, Valentine's Day. She also enjoyed learning to cook Italian food with her best friend Debbie, attending special family baking events with Mary Jo and her Pagano cousins and going to Taffy's for a cinnamon slush.

Later, she began working at Belmont Elementary where Ashley went to school. Terri also ran a Snowboard and Skateboard Shop (NEXT - Snowboards, Skate and Surf Company). After the buyout from her brother, Terri was recognized in the industry as the most successful female owned snowboard and skateboard shop in the western United States.

Terri was a large contributor and fund raiser to help build Pueblo's first skateboard park. She was commonly known as the "Skateboard Mom," and after the skateboard park was built, went on to sponsor annual skateboard competitions to see who the best of the best skaters were in Pueblo.

But, her dedication and support didn't end there. Terri was also a large contributor and supporter of the annual Golf Disc Tournaments, assisted in the planning and groundbreaking of the second golf disc course at CSU Pueblo which earned her the fond title of the "Golf Disc Chick." During her time at NEXT she met many friends, including Pat.

After 16 years, she closed the shop down and moved on to their next chapter in life of buying a condo in Silver Cliff, where she spent part of the week there and part in Pueblo, enjoying the best of both places. She and her friend Charlotte were commonly known as the local neighborhood watch. She never missed a Pueblo parade and was a South Colt whether or not the cannon boomed black. She lived a life of love and faith, and an endless passion for giving to others. Terri's devotion to her religion, the Pueblo Diocese and St. Pius X and Belmont Elementary School was endless. She will always be known for her smiles, hugs and unconditional compassion.

Terri will be lovingly remembered by her husband Harry, and daughter Ashley (David) Franklin of Westcliffe; special chosen mom, MaryJo (Jerry) Pagano-Stewart of Pueblo; sister Patrese Taulli of Silver Cliff; sister-in-law and nieces Pippa, Emma and Izzy Taulli of Palos Verdes, CA; cousins Julie Pagano of Pueblo, Kathy (Rocco) McCall of Pueblo West, Karen Pagano of Pueblo, Jonna (Scott) Dauffenbach of Pueblo, Leann (Bob) Burin of Denver, Jimmy (Georgine) Masciotra of Pueblo, Rhonda (Robert) Mott of Denver, Conni Booth of Denver, Dawn Michelle (Jan) Coats of Pueblo West, Darrel Morrow of Oakland, CA and Vincent (Sylvia) Coats of Bell, FL; uncle Darrel Morrow of Denver and special lifetime friends Debbie (Chip) Deluca, Pat Gradisar and Charlotte LeDoux.

Terri always recalled that after her Mom passed, the happiest times of her life were with her second and chosen Mom - Mary Jo and growing up at Grandpa Pointon's farm, with Grandpa Alfred and Grandma Cozy. The unconditional love, support and sense of family that she received from Mary Jo and Grandma and Grandpa Pointon gave her the values and morals that she followed throughout her life.

Terri's last wishes were to be cremated. Accordingly, there will be no internment after the services, only a reception to immediately follow.

The family would like to give thanks and heartfelt gratitude to all of the nurses and caregivers at the Sangre de Cristo Hospice House and Wendy Dammann for their compassionate and loving care that they gave to Terri during her final week of life.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Terri's memory to the Sangre de Cristo Hospice House.

On Behalf of Harry (Buck) and Ashley, they would like to say thank you for the overwhelming support, care and love they received from their Silver Cliff Town family, Westcliffe and Pueblo families and friends, the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office family, Pueblo Bikers United family, Dawn Michelle for spending Terri's last hours with her, Harry and Ashley; and most importantly, love to Mary Jo for being with them, and keeping them level and grounded through the most difficult 3 week journey of their lives.

Funeral Service, 1:30 pm, Wed., July 30, 2025 at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

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