Obituary of Jenelle Smith Lemos Klauer

Jenelle Smith Lemos Klauer passed away peacefully from metastatic ovarian cancer at Watsonville Community Hospital on March 27, 2023, at the age of 69. Jenelle was born in Hollister, CA to Robert and Jennie Smith. Jenelle is an alumnus of San Benito High School. She was employed as a Deputy Sheriff for Monterey County Sheriff's Department for 7 years before working in education as a Counselor and Discipline Manager at both Brownell and South Valley Middle Schools in Santa Clara County. Jenelle thoroughly enjoyed her time as a Counselor. She provided unparalleled support to high-risk middle school students throughout her 30 years of dedication to the Gilroy Unified School District. Jenelle had a deep passion for nature and taking gorgeous photos of it. She spent a significant amount of her time traveling and spending time with her family. Jenelle also enjoyed other outdoor activities like camping, fishing, hiking, barbequing, growing tomatoes, and watching sunsets. She loved watching movies and listening to music. She was very bubbly, light, kind, funny, rebellious at times and loved her family and friends unconditionally. She loved to play, be silly, and was always a reminder to whoever was around her not to take yourself too seriously. She made friends everywhere she went and always captured people's hearts with her bright smile and sparkle in her eyes. She felt most at home closest to the beach, and she spent the last years of her life in a loving senior living community in Santa Cruz, California. Most importantly, Jenelle was a proud mother and grandmother to her three grandchildren, grandpups and grandcats. She was regularly seen going on adventures with her three grandchildren, and would never pass up an opportunity to capture and share those memories through pictures and videos. She had a love for life with a childlike wonder about her. She had awe for things that most people take for granted like a beautiful sunset on the beach or realizing the magic of a Strawberry Moon. She felt nature deeply and felt deeply in general. Jenelle cherished the time she spent with her friends and family, and she touched the lives of many. Jenelle is preceded in death by her parents (Robert and Jennie Smith) and ex-husband Ron Klauer Sr. She is survived by her two children, Ron and Kristen Klauer, and three grandchildren: Kayla, Lo, and Ian Klauer. She is also survived by many other family members who love and cherish her deeply. A Celebration of Life will be held in Santa Cruz, California, in the coming months when the weather is warmer, as this was Jenelle’s final wish. Date, time, and location will be announced closer to the celebration.