In Loving Memory
Ronda "Sunny" Ann VanConant
December 18, 1959 - January 17, 2024

Sunny VanConant, age 64, was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on December 18th, 1959, and passed away peacefully on January 17th, 2024 with her sister Angie Cowden by her side after a long battle against COPD.

Sunny, the eldest daughter in her large family, spent much of her early life helping her mother care for her siblings. She dedicated herself to raising her children. John, her husband and one true love, shared many wild adventures with her on the back of their Harley Davidson in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They attended the Sturgis Rally annually, making lasting friendships. Sadly, John passed away in 2002 at the age of 52, and Sunny remained a widow for nearly 22 years.

Sunny had an immensely thoughtful and caring spirit. She was known for her generosity and willingness to help those in need, a characteristic she learned from her mother. She enjoyed giving back to the community by helping people in need in all the ways she could. She spent many years volunteering at Good News Foundation and Christmas Unlimited in Colorado Springs making sure that families had Christmas gifts under the tree and a friend to talk to. She never wanted anyone to go without.

Sunny was an extremely loving person who held the heart of everyone she met. She had a huge sense of humor and was known for her storytelling. She loved to cook for family, friends, and she would often make meals and deliver them to individuals who were less fortunate. In more recent years, she participated in The Project 1968 at Lakeside Senior Care, a project to end Loneliness & Isolation among the elderly. She was an incredibly gifted jewelry maker and was known for the beaded earrings she so meticulously made to gift to those she loved.

Sunny was preceded in death by her husband, John Clark VanConant; mother, Dorothy Cowden; stepfather, David Cowden; stepmother, Carol Wessel; and son, Glenn Herner Jr., and brother, Roger Kiefer. Sunny is survived by her father, Gene Wessel, and children: Natasha Hickox, Glenn Herner III, Monica VanConant, and Cassandra Steuer. Her grandchildren are Anastasia Hickox, Madeline Rushton, and Gianna Steuer. Great-grandchildren include Orion Dondlinger, Athena, and Avra Rushton. She is also survived by her brothers: David Cowden, Phillip Cowden, Charles Cowden, and Eugene Wessel; and sisters: Angie Cowden, Crystal Johnson, Laura Cowden, Christine Ham, and Robin Wessel.

A celebration of her life for Sunny will be scheduled at a later date in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the place she loved the most. Sunny will be so dearly missed by all who knew her.