Danell Lewis Wudarski passed away on April 21, 2022 leaving behind her a legacy of resilience, determination, strength, endurance and a beautiful example of fight for life. The life she led was not for wimps and her family will be forever grateful to her for showing them how to get through “hard things”.
Danell was born in Kanab, Utah on September 20th, 1940 to Wester and Verla Lewis. She was the big sister to 2 brothers and 2 sisters and she valued her relationship with each one of them. They all helped her with different times in her life and she loved them all very much. Danell was a graduate of Kanab High School’s class of 1958 and was involved in dance, cheerleading, student council and yearbook. She loved her high school years and treasured those friendships throughout her life.
She married Ben Cloward in 1958 and from that marriage came her 4 children. Danell was a loving, devoted mother and a domestic diva. While raising her children, her kitchen was full of homemade pies, cakes, cookies, canned fruit and wonderful dinners. She was a beautiful seamstress and made many outfits for herself and for her daughter. Her homes were always clean and beautifully decorated and she always had a knack for making the details so pretty. Danell was selected as homemaker of the year by her sorority. Her children brought her so much joy and she supported them unconditionally with love in all they have done. Ben and Danell divorced in 1975.
As a result of Danell’s 2nd marriage, she was seriously injured from an act of domestic violence, injuries that would change the course of her life. Because of these, Danell would have to learn how to speak, smile, write, walk and survive with several disabilities throughout the years to come. She taught herself how to write again by filling journals of her struggles and trials. She endured intense physical therapy and eventually went from wearing a brace on her leg to walking and learning how to become a “lefty”. Danell embraced her writing abilities and became an extremely talented writer. She wrote many poems and stories over the years and eventually became a playwright. One of her plays, “Fragments”, her story of domestic violence, was performed by the Amarillo College Theater Department and directed by her brother, Terry Lewis. Danell also had her play, “Ruin” performed at the Kennedy Center in New York City and received high honors. She recently completed her dream, a novel, and all are anxiously waiting to take their turn to read it. We’ve all talked about how Mom missed being able to do all the beautiful things she could do before she was hurt, but she sure taught us how to turn vinegar into wine by trading one set of gifts and talents into another.
In 1982, Danell met Don Wudarski and fell in love. They married in 1984 and Don became her greatest blessing. He selflessly encouraged, supported, cheered, cared for, helped and loved Mom through even more health challenges of melanoma cancer and breast cancer. Mom had a true fighting spirit and Don was always by her side battling right along. Don is loved by our family and we are so grateful for all he has done for our Mother.
Thank you, Mom, for truly being our hero. The lessons you have taught us, sometimes unknowingly, will never be forgotten. We will miss you more than words can say but we are so grateful that you are now free from pain. We love you.
Danell is survived by her husband, Don, Sons, Ken (Paula) Cloward, Kelly (Lorie) Cloward, Kyle (Sandra) Cloward and daughter Terri (Gary) Glover, 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, Siblings, Layle (Wally) Johnson, Terry (Shad Tyra) Lewis, Dean (Tami) Lewis, and Laurie Franklin and several nieces and nephews. She is proceeded in death by her father and mother, brother-in-law, Buck Franklin and nephew, Tim Johnson.
There will be a memorial service on Friday, April 29th at 11:00 AM at Mosdell Mortuary in Kanab, Utah. Family and friends are invited. Visitation from 10:15 to 10:55 AM that morning. Danell will be laid to rest beside her Mother and Daddy under the beautiful K-Hill.

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