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Betty I. Barthlama
1921 - 2008
Had more than 4,000 volunteer hours
Betty I. Barthlama, 86, a resident of Loveland, formerly of Fort Morgan, died Aug. 4 at Golden Peaks Health Care.
Mrs. Barthlama was born Sept. 4, 1921, to Corbin and Mary (Patterson) Willis in Sterling. She was a Fort Morgan native, living there since she was 13 days old. Mrs. Barthlama graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1939 and attended Colorado State College of Education (now UNC). She married Carl Barthlama on Aug. 24, 1941, in Sidney, Neb. Mrs. Barthlama and her husband owned Willis Garage in Fort Morgan.
She was the bookkeeper. After her husband died in 1976, she went to work as a cook in the Fort Morgan Hospital. In 1980 she moved to Loveland and was a cook for Good Sams and McKee Medical Center. She was a “Pink Lady” for McKee and had over 4,000 volunteer hours.
Mrs. Barthlama was a lifetime member of the Morgan Conservation Club. She was a volunteer usher at First Christian Church and helped with communion. She loved crocheting, playing cards and calling Bingo and Pokeno.
She is survived by her sons, Stan Barthlama of Loveland and J. B. Barthlama of Fort Collins; her daughters, Nancy Pruess and Barbara Musgrave of Loveland; a brother, Corbin Willis of King City, Ore.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Barthlama was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Carl; a daughter, Betty Carlene Barthlama; a granddaughter, Jody Musgrave; and a grandson, Rocky Pharris.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Viegut Funeral Home. A reception will follow in the Viegut Funeral Home Reception Center. Interment will be at a later date in Fort Morgan.
Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, the Mountain Valley Hospice or any charity of your choice in care of Viegut Funeral Home.
James Henry Spohr
James Henry Spohr, 63, a resident of Fort Morgan, died Friday in Fort Morgan.
Cremation has taken place.
Private family services were held.
Peggy Schug Vannest
1923 - 2008
Lived in Fort Morgan for 54 years
Peggy Schug Vannest, 85, resident of Ponca City, Okla., died on her birthday, July 31, 2008, at Westminster Village.
Mrs. Vannest was born on a farm west of Tonkawa, Okla., to Harland and Ruby Schug on July 31, 1923. She attended high school and college in Tonkawa. She married Cliff Vannest of Ponca City on July 2, 1942, in Tonkawa on the family farm. After World War II, they lived in Ponca City until 1948. At that time they moved to Fort Morgan, where they resided for 54 years.
She was employed as head billing clerk for the city of Fort Morgan for 23 years. After her retirement, they returned to Ponca City in 2002 to be near family.
Mrs. Vannest was an avid golfer who played well into her 70s.
She is survived by her husband, Cliff of Ponca City; children, Craig Vannest, Rick Vannest and Chris Vannest, all of Ponca City; a brother, H.K. Schug of Fort Morgan; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Vannest was preceded in death by her parents.
No services have been scheduled at this time, but a memorial service will be held at a later date at Serenity Falls in Fort Morgan.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma Inc., 1904 N. Union St., Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601-1542 or to the United Methodist Church, 117 East Bijou Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.
Rose M. Oblander
1919 - 2008
Worked at Eben Ezer, Sunset Manor
Rose M. Oblander, 88, of Hillrose died early Wednesday morning at the East Morgan County Hospital in Brush.
Mrs. Oblander was born Oct. 31, 1919, in Greeley to Martin and Hilma Anderson. She married Herman Oblander on March 11, 1952, in Greeley. Her family moved to the Brush area in 1967, where her husband farmed and she began working at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Canter and for the Sunset Manor Care Center. She later volunteered with the American Red Cross at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center.
She was a member of the Immanuel Congregational Church where she was very active in the Women’s Fellowship Group.
Mrs. Oblander enjoyed knitting, crocheting and watching the Colorado Rockies baseball games. She especially enjoyed being with her family and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Herman, of Hillrose; daughters, Donna Siefks of Las Animas and Marian Conway of Heidelberg, Germany; two sons, Arthur Oblander and Elmer Oblander, both of Fort Morgan; her sisters and brothers, Rachael Newcomb, Ruth Sander and Russell Anderson, all of Denver, Rhoda Lorenz of Independence, Kan., Roline Foos of Greeley, Raymond Anderson of Gill, Rev. Rodney Anderson of Fort Atkinson, Wis., and Ruby Carlson of Eaton; and nine grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Ralph Anderson, and one sister, Roberta Anderson.
A memorial service will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Congregational Church in Brush. The service will conclude at the church.
Friends who wish may make memorial donations in her name to the Immanuel Congregational Church Stained Glass Project, 209 Everett, Brush, CO 80723.
The Heer Mortuary & Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.
Marjorie Leota Orman
1920 - 2008
Moved to Fort Morgan in 1956
Marjorie Leota Orman passed away Sept. 7, 2008, in Fort Morgan.
She was born May 26, 1920, in Hopkins, Mo., to Galen and Ola Faye {Eshelman} Ulmer. She attended schools in Hopkins and graduated from high school in 1938.
She married Earl E. Orman in Hopkins on Dec. 21, 1938. The family farmed before moving to Fort Morgan in 1956.
Marjorie worked at a local dry cleaners for several years and was a homemaker and a lifelong member of the First Christian Church and C.W.F. She loved her family unconditionally and enjoyed having family gatherings often. She also enjoyed reading, sewing and crafts.
She is survived by three daughters, Sherill and husband Jim Clark of Sterling, Connie and husband Gary Gahagen of Wiggins, and Kathy and husband Joe Klausner of Wiggins; two sisters, Dorothy Moss of Bend, Ore.,, and Beverly Connolly and husband Ray of Enterprise, Ore.; one brother Homer Ulmer and wife Phyllis of Hopkins; seven grandchildren, Steve Clark and wife Chelsie of Longmont, Teresa Terbrueggen and husband Mike of Longmont, Tracy Clark of Sterling, Julie Molina and husband Basil of Fort Morgan, Michael Loose of Broomfield, and Nick and Chris Klausner, both of Fort Collins; seven great-grandchildren, Richard Hardman, Katie Hardman, Sarah Hardman, Le Ann Clark, Ryan Konieczny, Jennifer Hogan and husband Dave, and Gabriel Molina; and two great-great-grandchildren, Bradly Hogan and Matthew Konieczny.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Earl; an infant grandson, Brian Loose; and an infant granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Fort Morgan. The service will conclude at the church.
Friends who wish may make memorial donations to the First Christian Church, 225 W. Bijou Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.
The Heer Mortuaries and Crematory are in charge of the arrangements.
Leslie Arthur Miller
1943 - 2008
Lifelong resident knew history of Fort Morgan
Leslie Arthur Miller, 65, lifelong Fort Morgan resident, died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Fort Morgan.
He was born April 12, 1943, in Fort Morgan to Lewis and Lorena (Ecton) Miller.
Leslie was a life member of the United Presbyterian Church in Fort Morgan and a member of Fort Morgan Hospital Auxiliary and the Jaycees.
Miller was in construction and also painted houses inside and out in his earlier years. The last several years he worked at Leprino Foods in Fort Morgan until his retirement due to poor health this year.
Leslie enjoyed the scenic views while traveling up the mountains to Blackhawk, arrowhead hunting with local artist Howard Rollins and spending time with his friends. Leslie knew the history of Fort Morgan and could tell you anything and everything about the various buildings, who built them and what year they were built.
Survivors include two sisters, Loretta Miller and Lois Ann Rehkop, both of Fort Morgan; two nephews, Wayne and Gary Rehkop; two nieces, Barbara Lebsock and Debi Pearson; one great-nephew; one great-niece; and many cousins. Leslie’s best friends, Brad and Celeste Baker, and lifetime friend Harry Harned also survive him.
Leslie was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Lola Pearson.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Heer Mortuary and Crematory in Fort Morgan.
Funeral services will be Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at 10 a.m. at the Heer Mortuary Chapel in Fort Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens.
Memorial gifts may be made in Leslie’s name in care of the Heer Mortuary and Crematory in Fort Morgan.
Viola Pauline Wright
1916 - 2008
Lived many years on family farm near Bird C ity
Viola Pauline (Richers) Wright, 92, died at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush on Friday.
Mrs. Wright was born June 13, 1916, to Henry and Christina Richers in Cheyenne County, Kan. She attended country school until eighth grade and church school where she was confirmed. She dreamed of becoming a nurse but put it on hold at age 16 when she started working in cafes and private homes to help support her family.
She married Bert R. Wright on Feb. 12, 1944, in Salinas, Calif., where he was stationed in the Army. While there, she worked as a nurse’s aide, fulfilling part of her dream. After her husband was shipped overseas, she returned to Bird City and lived with his family. Mrs. Wright and her husband lived on the family farm south of Bird City until his death in 1996. She remained on the farm until moving to Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush in June 2002. She called Eben Ezer home until she died.
Mrs. Wright enjoyed caring for her flower gardens, quilting, embroidering and playing cards with family and friends. Time spent with family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was extra special.
In 1997, she was honored as Thresher Queen at the Tri-State Antique and Thresher Show in Bird City.
She is survived by her son, Merlin Wright of Fort Morgan, and daughter, Janice Trulove of Westminster; a brother, Elmer Richers of Arvada; one sister, Elvera Neitzel of Bird City; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Wright was preceded in death by her husband Bert, and her parents; a daughter, Janet Kay Reiber; three brothers, Herman Richers, Albert Richers and an infant brother; and three sisters, Adele Scheel-Locke, Arlene Bruder and Norma Pizel.
Graveside services will be held at the Bird City Cemetery
on Wednesday at 11 a.m. CDT.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, 122 Hospital Road, Brush, CO 80723 or Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern Colorado, 1106 6th Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.
Anthony Velez
1958 - 2008
Worked in energy industry for nearly two decades
Anthony Velez, 49, resident of Frederick, Md., died Tuesday at his home.
Velez was born Sept. 10, 1958, to Frank and Iris Velez of Miami Springs, Fla. He graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School in Miami Springs. He worked for nearly two decades with the Covanta Energy Company throughout the United States, finishing his employment at the plant in Frederick, Md.
His hobbies were working on his Camaro and the thrill of sport.
He is survived by his daughters, Tiffany and Rena Velez of Pennsylvania; a sister, Diana Legler of Fort Morgan; and a brother, Dennis Velez of Vale, N.C.
Velez was preceded in death by his parents.
Services will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at Dailey Robert E. and Son Funeral Home, 1201 North Market St., Frederick, Md.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Anthony Velez, c/o Diana Legler in trust of his children, 712 Aurora St., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.
Jack E. Massey
1926 - 2008
Air Force vet lived in county for 26 years
Jack E. Massey, 82, former Morgan County resident, died Monday, Aug. 18, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
Massey was born March 21, 1926, in Mount Olivet, Ky. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Prior to ill health forcing his retirement, he had worked for Rose Medical Center in Denver. In 1982, Massey moved to Morgan County, living in Brush for three years and 23 years in Hillrose. Health issues forced him to live at the Cheyenne, Wyo., VA nursing home for four years and later at the VA Sam Rayburn Medical Center Nursing Home. The Masseys moved to Bonham, Texas, in February 2008.
He was a life member of DAV and a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Fort Morgan.
Survivors include his wife, Lavina of Bonham, Texas; a son, Joseph of Arizona; daughter, Pamela Gonzales of Colorado; a stepson and a stepdaughter; his stepfather and half-sister in Washington state; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter and his parents.
A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Interment Chapel in the Brush Memorial Cemetery. Inurnment will follow in the Columbine Columbarium in the Brush Memorial Cemetery.
The Heer Mortuary & Crematory is entrusted with the local arrangements.
Francis D. "Pat" Jolliffe
1931 - 2008
Devoted much of life to community service
Francis D. “Pat” Jolliffe, 77, life resident of Morgan County, died early Thursday at his home. He had been battling lung cancer for the past several months.
Jolliffe was born March 17, 1931, in Brush to Francis and Frankie Jolliffe. Following graduation from Fort Morgan High School in 1949, he attend Colorado State University and later Graceland College in Iowa. He graduated from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. Jolliffe returned to Fort Morgan to enter the funeral business with his father. He married Joan Weimer on Feb. 7, 1954, in Fort Morgan. After 47 years in funeral service, he retired in 2000.
He was very involved in the community and served as Morgan County Coroner for 32 years. Jolliffe was the first president of the Heritage Foundation, served as president of the Fort Morgan Lions Club and the Fort Morgan Country Club. He served on the Morgan Community College board of directors for nine years, was on the scholarship committee for Morgan County 4-H, served on the Fort Morgan City Council and the Fort Morgan Community Hospital Foundation, and was a member of the Fort Morgan Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Fort Morgan United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge #1143, Masonic Oasis Lodge #67 AF & AM, and the Rocky Mountain Consistory.
Jolliffe loved to play golf, fish, travel and spend time with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Joan, of Fort Morgan; two daughters, Laurie Jolliffe of Estes Park and Jody Kind of Fort Collins; two brothers, Richard of Scottsbluff, Neb., and William of Kansas; and two grandchildren, Katherine Gertge and Patrick Crossley.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church, 117 E. Bijou St. in Fort Morgan. Inurnment will follow in Serenity Falls Columbarium.
Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Fort Morgan United Methodist Church or to the Morgan Community College Foundation c/o Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.
The Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary is entrusted with the arrangements.
