Search Archived Marriage Records
Joel Lester Mickelson
Joel Lester Mickelson died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at his home in Durango. He was 46. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Mr. Mickelson was born Jan. 18, 1957, in Denver, the son of Cecil and Jo Ann (Matney) Mickelson. He graduated from high school in Bisbee, Ariz., and moved to Durango in 1976.
Mr. Mickelson worked for Burnett Construction for 18 years.
"He and his father were great pals," his mother said. "They loved to fish and would often go to Electra Lake or Haviland Lake. They also loved to fly fish in the Pine River."
In addition to his mother, Mr. Mickelson is survived by his son, Carl Joel Mickelson of Durango; daughter, Krista Marie Mickelson of Durango; brother, Cecil Narlin Mickelson of Mesa, Ariz.; sisters Shauna Lyn Mickelson of Farmington and Cyntella Shafer of Albuquerque; a grandson, Matthew Mickelson of Stafford, Ariz.; granddaughters Cierra Mickelson of Stafford, Ariz., and Alexandria Mickelson and Cassandra Mickelson, both of Durango; an aunt, Colleen King of Farmington and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hood Mortuary Chapel. Bishop Cooper of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will officiate. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.
Olga Zanon Seculo
Olga Zanon Seculo, of Durango, died of natural causes on Aug. 1, 2003, at Four Corners Health Care Center. She was 90.
Mrs. Seculo was born Nov. 25, 1912, in Reliance, Wyo., to Joseph Zanon and Juditta Rufini. She graduated from Trinidad High School in 1931 and married John Seculo three years later.
An Avon saleswoman for 45 years, Mrs. Seculo lived in Trinidad until 1996 when she moved to Durango to live with her daughter, Jolleen Myers.
"My mother was truly a mother and grandmother to the entire family," Jolleen Myers said. "She was quite a lady whose first love was her family."
Mrs. Seculo was a member of Catholic Daughters of America and Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Trinidad.
In addition to Jolleen Myers, Mrs. Seculo is survived by daughters Judy Rino of Peoria, Ariz., and Joyce Monter of Monte Vista; a brother, John Zanon of Denver, eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Columba Catholic Church with the Rev. Jim Koenigsfeld officiating. A memorial Mass is scheduled at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Friday in Trinidad. Burial will be at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Columba Catholic Church, 1830 East Second Ave., Durango 81301.
Donald Webster Fazzan
Donald Webster Fazzan, of Farmington, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, in Farmington. He was 81.
Mr. Fazzan was born Jan. 31, 1922, in Silver City, N.M., to Frank and Vesta Fazzan.
Services are pending at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington.
Leonard Cloud Burch
Leonard Cloud Burch, the longtime leader of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe who advocated economic self-sufficiency, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center.
Mr. Burch, 69, who died after suffering a heart attack on Thursday, served as chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council for more than 32 years. He was first elected tribal chairman in 1966.
Under his leadership the Southern Utes became an economic force in the Four Corners and the largest employer in La Plata County.
Starting with interests in natural-gas wells, the Utes used revenues from businesses to fund improvements in tribal education, health and social services.
He was invited by five separate U.S. presidents to conferences on American Indian policies at the White House.
He received numerous awards, including: the Durango Citizen of the Year Award (1997), the 15th annual Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award (2000) and the Council of Energy Resources Tribes’ Achievement Award (2002). He was also recognized for his commitment to regional water resource development.
To settle various water claims by regional tribes, including the Southern Utes, Mr. Burch advocated development of the Animas-La Plata Project, a water-storage project now under construction south of Durango.
He was born on Dec. 24, 1933, to Sam and Clara (Cloud) Burch. Upon graduation from Ute Vocational High School in Ignacio, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and he served four years.
After his return from service, Mr. Burch worked for five years with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He married Irene Coolidge, who had also attended school in Ignacio.
He is survived by his wife; seven daughters, Leonora Bravo of Ignacio, Leona Burch of Ignacio, Lena Mae Burch of Missoula, Mont., Lisa Burch-Watts of Ignacio, Leora Lucero of Ignacio, Laurena Burch of Albuquerque, and Lynnette Sage of Ignacio; 14 grandchildren; a brother, Anthony Burch of Two Rivers, Alaska; a sister, Bertha Grove of Bayfield; a half-brother, Everett Burch of Bayfield; and a half-sister, Judy Lansing-Burch of Ignacio.
A viewing and a visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Monday at Hood Mortuary. A public memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the SunUte Recreation Center in Ignacio.
Donations honoring Mr. Burch should be made to the Leonard Burch Scholarship Fund, PO Box 2717, Durango CO 81302 or to the American Heart Association.
Orion Roy Hingst
Orion Roy Hingst, 73, died of cardiovascular disease on Sunday, July 27, 2003, at his home in Bayfield.
Mr. Hingst was born on July 22, 1930, in Orange Grove, Texas, the son of Robert Carl and Meta Otilia Hingst, the third child of a farm family. He was an athlete in high school and joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17. He served as a member of the Marine Corps rifle and pistol team, where he achieved Distinguished Status in both rifle and pistol. After 20 years of service, he retired as a master gunnery sergeant. Mr. Hingst moved to Vallecito in 1978.
"He will be sorely missed by all," said Debbie Norris on behalf of the family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elva June (Clarke) Hingst.
He is survived by his daughters, Debbie Norris of Oakhurst, Calif., and Dorothy Hall of Honolulu, Hawaii; his son, Robert Hingst of Wedgefield, S.C.; his sister, Earline Lindig of Bandera, Texas; his brother, Warren Hingst of Plainview, Texas; his grandsons, Patrick Norris of Mountain View, Calif., Robert Hingst of Wedgefield, S.C., Tyler Hall and Garrett Hall, both of Honolulu; his granddaughters, Tammy Ridgeway of Sumter, S.C., and Lauren Hall of Honolulu; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Vallecito Community Church. The Rev. David Guy will officiate. Burial will take place at Pine River Cemetery, 311 County Road 501, in Bayfield.
Pauline Mary Garcia Gross
Pauline Mary Garcia Gross, 82, a native of Ignacio, died on Saturday, July 19,2003, at her daughter's home in San Jose, Calif. She died of multiple illnesses, according to her family.
She was born on May 6, 1922, to Susie and Ben Garcia. She lived in Grand Junction, Denver, then 25 years in Anchorage and Kenai, Alaska.
"She loved volunteering at the Kenai senior center, line dancing, crocheting and collecting porcelain dolls," said her brother, Alex Garcia.
Mrs. Gross was married twice, once to the late Joseph Frank Sr., later to Monty Gross.
She raised seven children besides working at drugstores, hotels, motels and restaurants.
Mrs. Gross is survived by her husband, Monty Gross; her brothers, Alex Garcia of Cortez and Lawrence Garcia of Anchorage; her sisters, Walamina Clevenger of Bullhead, Nev., Rose Mary Farley of Durango, Elizabeth Williams of Bloomfield, N.M., and Susie McIntosh of Atlanta, Ga.; her sons, Joseph Frank of Kenai, Paul Frank of Patterson, Calif., Martin Frank of Albuquerque, and Ralph Gross of Anchorage; her daughters, Penny Kuk of Anchorage and Bonnie Wray of San Jose, Calif.; her 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She will be buried in Durango alongside her parents, siblings and her son, John Frank.
Frank Swanson
Frank Swanson, 83, died of lung cancer on Monday, July 28, 2003, at his home in Durango.
A native of Walsenburg, he was the son of Elsie Pierson Swanson and Gus Swanson.
In 1940, he married Jessie "Jay" Henry, a classmate at the University of Michigan. They lived in Inglewood, Calif., during World War II, where Mr. Swanson worked as chief chemist in the engineering department of Northrop Aircraft.
The Swansons moved to Framingham, Mass., in 1947, where they raised two daughters and two sons. Mr. Swanson worked for Raytheon as head of the ceramic department. He help develop and manufacture parts for missiles and spacecraft.
After retiring in 1984, they came to Durango. Life in the Southwest was defined for Mr. Swanson by skiing, camping, fishing four-wheeling and enjoying his family and friends. He served as president of the Four Corners Gem and Mineral Club and the Sundance Hills Homeowners Association. He also volunteered with Adaptive Sports Skiing at Purgatory, whitewater events and Trout Unlimited.
"His friends and family will always remember him for the twinkle in his eyes and the Werthers in his hand," said Jay Swanson.
Mr. Swanson is survived by his wife and four children, his six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A private service is planned in Walsenburg at a future date. There will be no local service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society La Plata County, 1111 S. Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81302.
Jack E. Watson
Jack E. Watson, 71, a resident of Bayfield, died Sunday, July 27, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. He died of natural causes, his son, Jeff Watson, said.
Mr. Watson was born Feb. 5, 1932, in Sterling, Ill., the son of Jack and Anna Watson. He grew up in Sterling and graduated from Sterling High School, where he excelled in track and cross country.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and served as a medic.
Mr. Watson married Pat Nolan in 1956 in Dixon, Ill. In 1967, he and his family moved to Niwot, near Boulder, where he worked for Ball Aerospace. Mr. Watson retired in 1994. Mr and Mrs. Watson then moved to Bayfield, where he lived until his death.
Mr. Watson enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking and photography. He especially enjoyed his family and his grandchildren. He volunteered and supported the Humane Society in Niwot.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Julie Jacques of San Diego, Calif. and Becky Moyers of Bayfield; two sons, Jeff Watson of Durango and Sam Watson of Greenwood Village; 11 grandchildren, Sarah Jacques, Suzanne Jacques, Danielle Jacques and Alexis Jacques of San Diego, Annie Watson, Paul Watson and Ava Watson of Durango, Lucas Moyers and Ana Moyers of Bayfield,and Alex and Katie Watson of Greenwood Village.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
Memorial contributions may be made to La Plata County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2164, Durango, CO 81302, or to the charity of your choice.
Joseph S. Garcia
Joseph S. Garcia, 71, died Monday, July 28, 2003, at his home in Durango. The Durango native died of natural causes, according to his family.
Mr. Garcia was born Sept. 17, 1931, in Durango, the son of Seberiano and Augusta Garcia. He married Mary G. Archuleta on June 16, 1955, in Aztec.
Besides working on old cars, Mr. Garcia enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his last years, he finished customizing his 1950 Mercury, which he entered in six car shows and won first place at each one.
"We would like to say a special thank you to Duane Suazo for his love and dedication to Joe during his dying days," Mr. Garcias family said in a prepared obituary.
He is survived by his wife; three sisters, Sister Mary Augusta and Ruby Martinez, both of Durango, and Catherine Brown of Roland Heights, Calif.; five sons, Cedric Garcia, Dennis Garcia, Gerald Garcia, Jamie Garcia and Randy Archuleta, all of Durango; two daughters, Janice Garcia and Gigi Cordary, both of Durango; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
A rosary will be said at 6 p.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, also at Sacred Heart. The Rev. Joseph L. Gallegos will officiate. Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
Rena Lou Dunn
Rena Lou Dunn, 66, died Sunday, July 27, 2003, in Durango.
Mrs. Dunn was born Sept. 8, 1936, in Blanchard, Okla., the daughter of Motie and Rose Stripling. She married William Carrol Dunn on Sept. 1, 1956. Mrs. Dunn and her family moved to Durango in 1971. She enjoyed crocheting, baking and cooking, and flowers. She especially enjoyed her friends at Four Corners Health Care Center, and she enjoyed music.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William C. Dunn Sr., on Dec. 27, 1999.
She is survived by three daughters, Tina Daniel of Phoenix, Elizabeth Dunn of Ignacio and Anna Williams of Durango; one son, William C. Dunn Jr. of Bayfield; two brothers, Ralph Stripling of Oklahoma City and Leland Stripling of Las Cruces, N.M.; a sister, Mary McFadden of Santa Ana, Calif.; and seven grandchildren, Chanda Quinn of Ignacio, Randi Daniel of Phoenix, Heather Williams of Durango, Travis Williams of Durango, Josh Dunn of Ignacio, Amber Schwartz of Bayfield and Ashley Schwartz of Bayfield.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Hood Mortuary. The Rev. James Newman of First Baptist Church of Bayfield will officiate. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
Martha Mickey Stickle
Martha "Mickey" Stickle, longtime Durango resident, died Saturday, July 26, 2003, at her home in Durango. She was 93.
Mrs. Stickle died of natural causes, according to Hood Mortuary.
She was born Aug. 2, 1909, the eighth of 13 children, to parents George and Anna Funk, who immigrated to the United States in 1905 from Germany by way of Russia. The Funk family homesteaded in the Fort Collins area. After the ninth grade, Martha left the farm and lived with a family in Fort Collins, keeping house and helping with children of the family. She later joined a sister in Denver, where she worked as a candymaker for Russell Stover Candy Co. until she met and married C. Wayne Stickle in 1929.
Mr. and Mrs. Stickle had two children and were married 66 years. They moved to Durango in 1950 where Mr. Stickle became the manager of the Morey Mercantile Co. branch office and warehouse. Mrs. Stickle was a homemaker and a member of the Emblem Club Auxiliary of the Elks. She enjoyed sewing, and for several years worked for the City Cleaners as a seamstress.
She is preceded in death by her husband in 1995.
Mrs. Stickle is survived by a son, Donald Wayne Stickle of Durango; a daughter, Sharon Ann White of Sweetwater, Texas; four grandchildren, Brandon White of Lubbock, Texas, Eric Stickle of Bloomfield, N.M., Bryan Stickle of Aztec and Cynthia Dobbs of Farmington; five great-grandchildren; and her friend and caregiver, Francis Blacker.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Mercy in memory of Martha Stickle.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hood Chapel.
