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Andrew Gatzke
Memorial services are pending for Andrew Gatzke, 80, of Cortez. Mr. Gatzke passed away Sept. 20, 2001, at the Vista Grande Rehabilitation Care Center.
He was born to Michael and Alice Milliken Gatzke on Aug. 5, 1921, in Milford, Pa. He graduated from the Milford High School in 1939.
Mr. Gatzke served his country during World War II in the U.S. Marine Corps, into which he enlisted in 1941. He was a gunnery sergeant, and served 36 months in the South Pacific with the First Marine Raider Battalion.
He was awarded a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for his heroic actions in service of his country. He was honorably discharged at the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif. in 1946.
On Nov. 16, 1946, he married Maybelle Crawn, in Horseheads, N.Y. Mr. Gatzke retired as a supervisor with General Telephone Company, working in the Tri-state area of New York. He lived in Montclaire, Calif., before moving to Cortez 25 years ago.
Mr. Gatzke was a charter member of the Mt. Laurel VFW Post 8612 of Milford; the American Legion Ute Mountain Post No. 75 of Cortez; the Brixey-Hays Detachment Marine Corps League of Cortez; the Disabled American Veterans; the Four Corners Good Samaritans Club, where he was a former president; and a former member of the Elks Club of Cortez.
Andrew Gatzke is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maybelle, of Cortez; sons, Andrew (Wendy) Gatzke of Cortez; Robert R. (Mary) Bennett III of San Bernadino, Calif.; brother, Allen Gatzke of Milford; sister, Ann Van Twerp of Milford; four grandchildren, six step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Michael and William; sisters, Judy and Carie and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to For Pet’s Sake, P.O. Box 1703, Cortez, CO 81321; Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter, 14929 County Road G, Cortez, CO 81321, or to the Cortez Animal Shelter, 27516 Highway 160, Cortez, CO 81321.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken, are serving the family.
Michael Stewart "Mike" Fouts
Memorial services for Michael Stewart "Mike" Fouts will be held on Monday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. at the Cortez First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Lynn Evans will be officiating.
Mike was born to James Robert and Mary Lou (Tressider) Fouts on Oct. 17, 1953, in Okarche, Okla. He passed away on Wed., Sept. 19, 2001 at his home in Cortez. He was 47.
Two-and-a-half years ago Mike moved to the Cortez area, where he worked as a cook. Mike loved to spend time in the outdoors fishing. He had a passion for reading as well.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Mary Lou and Ray Fouts of Cortez; his children, Jim Fouts of St. Helena, Ore., and Dawn Marie (Archie) Paseka of San Diego, Calif.; his sister, Jan Fouts Carroll of Greeley, Colo.; and stepsisters, Sue Ann Fouts of Evans, Colo., and Helen Ann (John) Mackenzie of Kersey, Colo. Preceding him in death was his father, James Fouts.
Waldo Archer Black
Funeral services for Waldo Archer Black of Dove Creek will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. at the Dove Creek First Southern Baptist Church. Pastor Steve Candelaria will be officiating. Interment will follow at the Dove Creek Cemetery.
Waldo was born on July 8, 1908, to Matthew and Anna (Caskey) Black in Clay Center, Kans. He passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001, at the Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez. He was 93.
On July 20, 1935, in Denver, Colo., Waldo married his sweetheart, Mary Burt. They moved to Southwest Colorado in the 1970s and resided in Dove Creek. Waldo was a resident of the Dove Creek area for 25 years where he worked as an auto mechanic. An outdoorsman, Waldo loved to hunt and fish.
He is survived by his sons, Delbert (Annetta) Black of Boulder, Colo., and Ralph Black of Lafayette, Colo.; and his brother, Glenn Black of Hubart, Ore. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Mary; and his sister, Twila Venuti.
James Shelby Allmon Jr.
Graveside services for James Shelby Allmon Jr. will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Flora Vista Cemetery
in Flora Vista, N.M.
Jim was born Jan. 29, 1944, in Flora Vista, N.M., to James Shelby Allmon Sr. and Yvonne Rosella (Dufur) Allmon. A resident of Aztec, N.M., Jim passed away in Cortez on Sept. 14, 2001, at the age of 57.
Jim worked as a senior foreman in the Alaska oilfields for many years until he retired. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards, and always had a good story to tell.
Preceding Jim in death were his parents, James Shelby Allmon Sr. and Yvonne Rosella (Dufur) Allmon, and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Robin Allmon.
Surviving Jim are his children, Todd (Rhonda) Allmon, Robin (Kelly) Allmon, Jamie (Rodney) Ritthaler, all of Cortez; and Minnie Jo Allmon, Aztec, N.M.; stepchildren, Danny Tharp of Farmington, N.M. and Dawn Denise Tharp, of Texas; siblings Joy (Freddie "Peanut") Melott of Missouri; Hope (Jesse) Tracy, Cortez; Ivan "Rocky" Allmon, Aztec, N.M.; David Allmon, Soldotna, Alaska, and Lewie (Valerie) Allmon, Anchorage, Alaska. He also leave behind 10 grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made at Dolores State Bank, P.O. Box 848, Dolores, CO 81323.
Mary Ann McDowell
Mary Ann McDowell, a resident of Cortez, passed away Sept. 19, 2001, in the Vista Grande Rehabilitation Care Center in Cortez. She was 56.
A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 in the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Jimmy Kennedy will officiate.
Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband, Bill, of Cortez; a brother, Bob; and other relatives and friends.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken Funeral Directors, are serving the family.
Robert Eugene "Bob" Hannigan
Visitation for Robert Eugene "Bob" Hannigan will be held Monday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Bob was born to William and Minnie Blanche (Mendenhall) Hannigan while traveling in a covered wagon across Kansas. The family was unsure of the exact date of his birth, so his mother selected May 17, 1917. He passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001, at Southwest Memorial Hospital.
Joining the Army to serve his country, Bob fought during World War II. On July 5, 1958, in Elko, Nev., he married his sweetheart, Laura Sue Jones. Sue and Bob moved to the Cortez area, where they resided for 40 years.
An outdoorsman at heart, Bob loved to hunt and fish. He also loved his grandchildren dearly.
Surviving Bob are his wife, Sue; his daughter, Martha (Robert) Rivas of Aztec, N.M.; his sister, Mildred Martin, Denver; and his grandchildren, Jillian and Alannah Rivas. Preceding him in death were his parents.
Artie L. Nichols
Artie L. Nichols died May 23, 2001, in Pueblo, Colo. A former diesel mechanic for the city of Mesa, Ariz., also for the city of Farmington, N.M., he had resided in Cortez for the past 2 1/2 years.
He served in the Army, spending three years in Germany. Upon discharge, he moved to Gilbert, Ariz. He was very active in the American Legion, Post 39, and the 40/8. He started their first color guard on horseback and was a lifetime member.
Survivors are his wife Wynn, two daughters from a previous marriage, Laura Minor of California and Lynda Lake of Pocatello, Idaho; a sister, Edith Kennedy, of Farmington, N.M.; a brother, Albert Nichols, of Gilbert, Ariz. Also six stepsons and a stepdaughter of the Fordem family. There are eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Those wishing may attend services at graveside Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Cortez Cemetery.
James Everett "Jim" Wilson
Memorial services for James Everett "Jim" Wilson, 82, of Cortez will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. at the Arriola Community Center. Pastor Larry Chappell will be officiating.
Jim was born to Charles Wesley and Nancy Ethel (Stevenson) Wilson on March 6, 1919, in Yellow Jacket, Colo. He passed away on Sept. 11, 2001, at the Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez.
He is survived by his wife, Veda Wilson; his children, Terry Lewis Wilson of Cortez; Eleanor Fay (Pat) Baxstrom of Goodman Point; and Robert J. Martin of Pueblo, Colo.; his siblings, Elsie Chaffin of Arriola; Margorie (J.W.) Crowley of Cortez; Nancy Irwin of Lewis; Arthur (Esther) Wilson of Yellow Jacket; Nellie (Adrian) Bradfield of Cahone; Faye Bertrand of Cortez, and Larry (Eloise) Wilson of Mariposa, Calif.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Susan Esther Sorensen
Susan Esther Sorensen, a former resident of Dolores and Cortez, died of ovarian cancer Sept. 5, 2001, in Grand Junction. She was 51.
A memorial service and private burial have already taken place in Grand Junction.
She was born March 15, 1950, in Minot, N.D., to Fred A. and Victoria (Kraft) Kreuger. She graduated from Garrison High School and the Wapheton State School of Science in Wapheton, N.D. In 1970 she married Raleigh Sorensen in Garrison, N.D.
She is survived by her husband, Raleigh; parents; two sons and daughters; two brothers; three sisters; and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Grand Junction of the Fighting Ovarian Cancer newsletter, P.O. Box 7948, Amarillo, Texas 79114.
Odell "Buddy" White
Odell "Buddy" White, of Erick, Okla., a resident of Mancos and Cortez for many years, died Sept. 3, 2001, in Apache Junction, Ariz., He was 78.
A visitation is set for today from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will take place on Friday in the funeral chapel at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in the Mancos cemetery.
Mr. White was a retired trucker and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Survivors include his daughters, Judy A. (Jon) Miller; sister, Ann Winters; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Donald Leonard Dorenkamp
Funeral services for Donald Leonard "Don" Dorenkamp of Lewis will be held Friday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. at the St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Father Tom Munson will be officiating. Interment will follow at the Lewis Cemetery. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Rosary services will be held Thursday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
Don was born in Holly, Colo., on Nov. 4, 1936, to Joseph B. and Amelia M. (Boerner) Dorenkamp. He passed away on Sept. 4, 2001, at his home in Lewis, Colo. He was 64.
Among many accomplishments in Don's life, he attended Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. He was also a military veteran and on Jan. 17, 1961, he married his sweetheart Siglinde Baltz in Darmstadt, Germany. Don and Siglinde resided in Holly for a number of years where Don became the president of the Holly Fair Board, and was the director of the Holly Co-op. Don was a serious businessman, owning several businesses throughout his life. In 1985, he purchased the Dawson Lake store and ran it with his wife.
Don showed his daring side as a bull-rider, bronc-rider, steer-wrestler, and horse-racer. Don, too, was a fisherman. His family expressed how he was loved by all, and he, too, loved his family dearly. He was "Papa" to all of his grandchildren.
Surviving Don are his wife, Siglinde; his children, Cornelia Dorenkamp (Kenneth Cooney) of Boise, Idaho, Becky Susan Dorenkamp of Lewis, Colo., Patricia (Bob) Chadick of Oklahoma City, Okla., Donna Dorenkamp-Lyons of Cortez, Linda Dorenkamp of Albuquerque, N.M., and Frank Christian (Lynn Williams) Dorenkamp of Lewis, Colo.; his siblings, Cecilia (Jean) Sherwood of Lamar, Colo., Fred (Norma) Dorenkamp of Bristol, Colo., Agnes (James) Harper of Holly, and Norman (Jean) Dorenkamp of Holly; and a sister-in-law, Louise Dorenkamp of Bristol; numerous nieces and nephews, and eight grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Bernard Dorenkamp, and a sister, Josephine Parker.
Memorial contributions can be made in Don's name with the Hospice of Montezuma.
Barbara Ann Saunders
Memorial services for Barbara Ann Saunders of Mancos will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 1 p.m. at the Tomac residence located at 11898 Road G, McElmo Canyon.
Barbara was born on May 16, 1929, in Colorado Springs to Paul Franz and Nira Louene (Bolz) Kapelke. She passed away on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos.
As a 30-year resident of Durango, Barbara worked as an optometrist’s assistant at Vision Care. She was also a member of the Hillcrest Ladies Golf Association where she showed her passion for golf. Barbara was also an avid bowler. The most important part of her life was her family. She dearly loved her grandchildren.
Surviving Barbara are her children, Michael P. Saunders of Cortez, David W. (Judy) Saunders of Black Canyon City, Ariz., Kathy A. (John) Tomac of McElmo; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; her friend and former spouse, Bill G. Saunders of Jackson, Miss.; and a brother, Paul Kapelke of Arizona.
Memorial contributions can be made in Barbara's name with the First National Bank of Cortez. Service arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Donald Nielson
Donald Nielson, a lifelong resident of the Dove Creek area, passed away at his residence on Aug. 30, 2001. He was 77.
A funeral service was held on Friday, Aug. 31, 2001 at 2 p.m. in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel. Cremation followed the services. Internment will take place on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2001 at 4 p.m. in the Peel Cemetery. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Dove Creek VFW Post.
Nielson was born to Gennis James and Adelia (Dee) Vurdick Nielson on Jan. 22, 1924, at Monticello, Utah. After attending schools in the area, Nielson served his country in the U.S. Army, during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. There he performed his duties in the Army Signal Corps, in communications work.
On Feb. 14, 1993, in Dove Creek, CO, he married Nancyray Smith.
Nielson was a rancher, uranium miner, and was also previously employed with Nielson Construction Company. He was a lifetime member of the Dove Creek VFW Post; a fob Pleasant View Fire Department, having served more than 22 years. Glenn was a member and bishop of the Arriola General Assembly and Church of The First Born.
Surviving Glenn is his wife, Carlene, of the family home; children, Rodney (Debbie) Case of Purcell, Okla., Tonya (Clifford) Capps of Arriola, Kirby (Jodi) Case of Wichita, Kan., andonald L. Nielson is survived by his loving wife, Nancyray of Dove Creek, two sons: James (Zelpha) and John (Jackie) both of Dove Creek; three daughters: Dawn (Jimmy) Epps of Cortez, Connie (Rick) Baer of Grand Junction, and Dana Lichlter of El Paso, Texas; two brothers: Arthur Nielon and William Nielson of Dolores, a sister, Bonnie Nielson of Littleton; 2 step-children: James and Kim Upright of Texas, and Mason and Niki Moye of Tennessee; a mother-in-law Maryjane Murray of Dove Creek; and his grandchildren: Jay, Tyler, Waylon, Michael Joe, Bradie and Brandie Nielson.
He was preceded in death by four brothers: Charlie James, Vaughn, Harold L, L. Dick Nielson, and a sister, Ruby Hunt.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Montezuma, Inc. 1108 N. Mildred Road, Cortez, CO 81321.
Lloyd Glenn Case
Funeral services for Lloyd Glenn Case, a lifelong area resident, will be held Monday, Sept. 3, at the Arriola General Assembly and Church of The First Born, 15400 Road 22, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Arriola Cemetery. Brothers Les Pfister and Kip Payton will officiate.
Glenn was born in Tulsa, Okla., on Feb. 22, 1937, to Johnnie and Juanita (McConnel) Case. He passed away at his home in Arriola on Aug. 30, 2001, at the age of 64.
On Aug. 16, 1960, Glenn wed Carlene Smart in Pleasant View. They shared 41 years of marriage. For 30 years Glenn owned and operated Case Heating, Inc. He was a retired fireman from the Pleasant View Fire Department, having served more than 22 years. Glenn was a member and bishop of the Arriola General Assembly and Church of The First Born.
Surviving Glenn is his wife, Carlene, of the family home; children, Rodney (Debbie) Case of Purcell, Okla., Tonya (Clifford) Capps of Arriola, Kirby (Jodi) Case of Wichita, Kan., and Kurtis (Nicole) Case of Dolores; six grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth and Clifford, both of Cushing, Okla.; and his sister, Sharon Randolph, also of Cushing.
Memorial contributions can be made at the First National Bank. Services will be conducted by the Ertel Funeral Home.
Antonia Giovanna Smith
Funeral services for Antonia Giovanna Smith of Cortez will be held Wednesday, Sept. 5, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church at 10 a.m.
Visitation has been set for Tuesday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the church. A prayer vigil will follow at the church Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Born Jan. 17, 1927, in Slap Ob Idrija, Yugoslavia, Antonia was the daughter of Luigi Krapez and Analia (Klemencie) Krapez.
She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2001. She was 74.
Antonia married Russell Richard Smith in Gorizia, Italy, in 1947. In that same year Antonia came to the United States with her new groom.
From this union were born Michael, Sonya, Katherina "Kayde," Thomasina "Tammy," Radonna, and Michelle "Mesha."
A dedicated homemaker, Antonia loved gardening, especially in her beautiful flower gardens. She was devoted to her church and enjoyed her commitments with the Catholic Daughters of America.
Surviving are her children, Michael L. Smith and his companion, Karen Scheidegger of Vail, Colo., Sonya G. Yazzie of Tucson, Ariz., Katherina "Kayde" Klemencie Smith of Dolores, Thomasina "Tammy" and Don Neely of Lewis, Radonna Smith and her companion, Robert Kirkland of Cortez, and Michelle G. "Mesha" Smith and her companion, Dan Knauth of New York, N.Y.
She also leaves behind six grandchildren, Robert Jr., Steven, and Roldan Yazzie all of Tucson, Ariz., Kolby Shields of Dolores, and Richard Shields of Gunnison, Colo.; and one sister and her husband, Slavica and Dragic Lapanja of Gemona, Friuli, Italy.
Antonia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Luigi Krapez; and an infant sister, Gabriella Krapez.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
