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Georgia Arlene Milligin
Georgia Arlene Milligin died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at Mancos Valley Nursing Home in Mancos. She was 88, and died of natural causes, according to information supplied to Hood Mortuary.
A native and longtime resident of the area, Mrs. Milligin was born to Carl and Bernice (Biggs) Thompson in Allison on Feb. 22, 1915. She married Louis Milligin, of Mancos, on Sept. 11, 1933. Children of the Depression, they lived and worked in Southern California, Arizona and Mancos before settling in Durango in 1947. Mrs. Milligin worked for the first City Market in Durango candling eggs. She also worked for the La Plata County Clerk's Office, retiring in 1982 after 24 years of service.
Her later years were spent cultivating flowers and guiding her grandchildren to vibrant growth.
Georgia was a member of First Baptist Church and Order of Eastern Star.
She is preceded in death by her husband, three brothers, Bud Thompson, Kenneth Thompson and Donald Thompson; one sister, Phyllis Shaw; and two daughters, Betty Jean and Sharma Jean.
She is survived by her son, Gary Milligin of Durango; two grandsons, Russel Loftus of Portland, Ore., and Brad Milligin of Durango; two granddaughters, Michelle Chaffee of Phoenix and Lynn Milligin of Durango; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. today at the First Baptist Church in Durango. The Rev. James Brown will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gideons, P.O. Box 2072, Durango CO 81301.
Hazel Marie Brown
Hazel Marie Brown, 87, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. She died of natural causes, according to information provided to Hood Mortuary.
Mrs. Brown was born June 25, 1916, in Durango, the daughter of Carl and Ida (Shoemaker) Spinning. She was a graduate of Durango High School, class of 1934 and got married in October that same year in Aztec.
She and her husband, George, raised their family and enjoyed taking care of the family homestead on the upper Florida River. Often, she would milk 30 head of cattle, twice a day.
She was a past member of the Florida Mesa Thimble Club. She was an accomplished seamstress, a fantastic cook and a gardener. The Southwestern Colorado mountains were her home and her vacation place.
She is preceded in death by her husband in 1996, two brothers, Erwin Spinning and Ralph Spinning, and grandsons James Brown and Todd Brown.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie J. Hotter of Fairview Heights, Ill.; a son, Leon G. Brown of Rangely; three granddaughters, Alice Geminn of Peachtree City, Ga, Janet Anderson of Belleville, Ill., and Shannon Ruybalid of Farmington; 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hood Mortuary. A funeral will be after the visitation at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hood Mortuary. Burial will occur at Florida Cemetery in Durango.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your charity of choice.
Louis B. Bennie' Herrera
Louis B. "Bennie" Herrera, 79, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at his home in Ignacio. He died of natural causes, according to information provided to Hood Mortuary.
Mr. Herrera was born Aug. 25, 1924, in Durango, son of Venceslao and Rita (Barry) Herrera.
When he was a junior in high school, he was drafted into the Army in 1943. He was wounded in 1944 in Saipan and also in 1945 in Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in May, 1946.
He met his future wife, Elsie Lucero, in Ignacio and they were married on March 4, 1946, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango.
He was employed by Harrison Construction for seven years and drove buses for the Ignacio School District for 25 years until his retirement in 1990.
His time with the school district led him to became a true fan of all of the Ignacio Bobcats sporting events.
Mr. Herrera enjoyed fishing, dancing, camping, hunting, telling stories, socializing and watching some of his favorite television programs: "The Price is Right," "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."
He is preceded in death by his wife, on July 7, 1997.
He is survived four sons, Joe L. Herrera, Louis D. Herrera, Bennie M. Herrera and Eliseo A. Herrera Sr., all of Ignacio; 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, a niece and nephew and numerous other relatives.
Recitation of the rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday also at Sacred Heart. The Rev. James Koenigsfeld, with St. Columba Catholic Church, will officiate. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at Hood Mortuary. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, 81301 or Hospice of Mercy, 375 E. Park Ave., Durango, 81301.
Joseph F. Zeida
Joseph F. Zeida, of Arboles, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at the Pine Ridge Extended Care Center in Pagosa Springs. He was 90 years old.
Mr. Zeida was born Sept. 5, 1913, in Concordia, Kan., the son of Anastasia Jacobie and Joseph Zeida.
He married Lois M. Harris Feb. 26, 1976, in Pagosa Springs. Mr. Zeida worked as a layout director for lumber yards and as a shipbuilder.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed hunting.
Mr. Zeida is survived by his wife of Arboles; two daughters, Sybil Malouff and Josephine Fletcher, both of Arboles; and a sister, Agnes Bart of Menlo Park, Calif.
Recitation of the rosary was held Friday. A Mass of Christian burial was Saturday, Nov. 15. Both services took place at St. Peter Santa Rosa Catholic Mission in Arboles. Interment followed at Rosa Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Kelly Wells Patrick
Kelly Wells Patrick, a Durango native and resident for most of his life, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, in a car accident in Colorado Springs. He was 18.
Mr. Patrick was born on Aug. 20, 1985, the son of Marsha Silva and Gary Patrick. He attended Florida Mesa Elementary School, Escalante Middle School and Durango High School. He transferred to Fountain Fort Carson High School in Fountain, then to Harrison School District in Colorado Springs, where he was a senior.
He enjoyed welding, ceramics, baseball, basketball, football, roller hockey and ice hockey. His great love was snowboarding, and he went to the ski resorts as often as he could, his mother said.
Mr. Patrick was an uncle and enjoyed playing with his nephews, Nicholas and Christopher Trembly.
"Kelly had a zest for life. He had many dear friends and loved to clown around and entertain them," his mother said. "His goal was to make people laugh, even riding a stick pony down Main Avenue in his bedroom slippers."
His ambition was to go to culinary school and become a chef.
Mr. Patrick is survived by his mother, Marsha Silva of Colorado Springs; his father, Gary Patrick of Ignacio; his sister, Heidi Trembly of Colorado Springs; his brother, Ryan Patrick of Ignacio; his grandparents, Patricia and Harold Moles of Gold Canyon, Ariz., and Lee and Jean Patrick of Ignacio; his great-grandmother, Irene Morris of Durango; his aunt, Sharon Edgin of Albuquerque; his uncle, Jon Moles of Frederick, Md.; and his cousins, Lisa Elwees of Mesa, Ariz., Scott Allen of Albuquerque and Amanda Bossingham of Los Angeles, Calif.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango. The Rev. Steve Easterday-McPadden will officiate.
Mr. Patrick's remains will be spread over Durango Mountain Resort.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Durango High School at 2390 Main Ave. Top of Page
Mickey Joe McNew
Mickey Joe McNew, 46, a lifelong resident of Bayfield, died at his Bayfield home on Friday, Nov. 14, 2003.
Mr. McNew was born in the Gable House, the former Durango Community Hospital, on Dec. 26,1956, the son of Eileen "Jack" (Wiser) McNew and Charles "Mac" McNew.
He married Laura Carmen in Bayfield on July 4, 1992, and worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Bayfield for 20 years.
Mr. McNew is survived by his wife of Bayfield; his parents of Camp Verde, Ariz.; his brother, "Poncho" McNew of Bayfield; his sister, Charlene Steelman of Peoria, Ariz.; three nieces; and one nephew.
An informal memorial gathering will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the McNew's home in Bayfield. Cremation has taken place.
David James Baker
David James Baker, 54, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, of cancer at Four Corners Health Care Center.
Mr. Baker was born May 7, 1949, in Albuquerque, the son of Anita Padilla Baker and Casimero Burns Baker. He was a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, with family in Ignacio. Mr. Baker graduated from Valley High School in Albuquerque, and from the University of New Mexico with an associate's degree. He served in the U.S. Army for two tours in Vietnam. He married Laura Louise Kozminski in 1985 in Albuquerque at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Mr. Baker enjoyed traveling and he loved his children more than life, his family said.
"Everything was an adventure to David," said his wife, Laura. "He was a philosopher, and he thought in spiritual realms. He was a warrior, and wasn't afraid of anything."
He is survived by his wife of Albuquerque; two brothers, Richard Baker of Seattle and Levi L. Baker of Durango; two sons, Michael Baker and Brian Baker, both of Albuquerque; two daughters, Sarah Baker and Viah Baker, both of Albuquerque; and a grandson, Donovan C. Baker, also of Albuquerque.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel C. Baker and Archie L. Baker.
Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hood Mortuary. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio. The Rev. Eddy Andary will officiate. Burial will occur at Ouray Memorial Cemetery in Ignacio.
Gunter Groeger
Gunter Groeger died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at his home in Durango after a sudden heart attack. He was 59.
Mr. Groeger was born in Chemnitz, East Germany, and received a master's degree in textile engineering from the Technical University of Dresden. His love of learning and yearning for freedom of expression were realized in 1969 when he was allowed to move to West Germany. He married Carroll Schnackenberg of Englewood in 1971. He was employed by Farbwerke Hoechst, and they lived in Germany before being transferred to South Carolina and later to Charlotte, N.C. His research and patents for carbon-bonded filters led to the founding of AQF Technologies Inc. in Charlotte.
Upon retirement in 2001, the Groegers moved to Durango to build their retirement home. The view of the La Platas was a constant pleasure as he enjoyed skiing, hiking and climbing 28 of the 14ers. He was a woodworker, designer and tilesetter. Mr. Groeger was recently employed by Durango Mountain Resort as the transportation safety adviser and bus driver trainer.
Mr. Groeger is survived by his wife of 32 years, of Durango; a daughter, Alicia Braxton of Tasmania; a son, Douglas Groeger of Salt Lake City; and one grandson, Tobias Braxton of Tasmania.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Christ the King Lutheran Church. A lunch will he held after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 495 Florida Road; Durango Fire & Rescue Authority, 142 Sheppard Drive; Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203; or the charity of your choice.
Marlene Price Carel
Marlene Price Carel, a Durango native, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at her home in Ignacio from natural causes, according to Hood Mortuary. She was 39.
Mrs. Carel was born March 19, 1964, in Durango to James and Violet Price. She married Vernest Carel in July 1985 in Durango.
Mrs. Carel worked for 10 years at Peaceful Spirits as a counselor for recovering alcoholics. She also worked for CHR of Ignacio, a program that cares for the elderly, and in grounds maintenance for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Mrs. Carel excelled as a homemaker, a mother and a wife.
"She was very friendly and had many friends," said her son, Vern. "She was not only my mother, but also my best friend."
She is survived by her husband, Vernest Carel of Ignacio; her father, James Price Sr. of Towaoc; her mother, Violet Weaver of Ignacio; her grandfather, George Serafin of Pagosa Springs; her stepmother, Linda Price of Towaoc; her sister, Georgeanne Price of Ignacio; her brother, James Price Jr. of Ignacio; two daughters, Angelina Price and Vernita Carel, both of Ignacio; her son, Vern Carel of Ignacio; two half-sisters, Marcie Lopez and Sharon Hight, both of Towaoc; two half-brothers, Eric Lopez and Floyd Hight, both of Towaoc; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m. today at Hood Mortuary in Durango. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Nuuciu Baptist Church in Ignacio. Brother Don Smith will officiate. Burial will occur at Ouray Memorial Cemetery in Ignacio.
Odessa Odie' E. Walker
Odessa "Odie" E. Walker, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center after a long illness. She was 78.
Mrs. Walker was born Vera Odessa Elliott on June 18, 1925, in Sweetwater, Texas, where she was reared. In 1946, she married F.V. "Mutt" Walker.
Mrs. Walker and her husband owned the Long Branch western wear store in Midland, Texas, before the couple moved to Durango in 1956. In Durango, the couple operated the historic Rio Grande Hotel and Bar across from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station.
Mrs. Walker also worked for many years as an X-ray technician at the old Community Hospital.
According to her sons, Randall and Mike Walker, Mrs. Walker enjoyed old-time Durango and had a lot of stories to tell.
In addition to her sons, both Durango residents, Mrs. Walker is survived by grandchildren Renee Walker, Justin Walker, Brian Walker and Michael Walker and three great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1986.
A service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Hood Mortuary, with the Rev. Jeff Huber, with First United Methodist Church of Durango officiating. A family committal service will be at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.
