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Ann Cowles Walsh
Ann Cowles Walsh, 75, who lived in Durango for 47 years, died Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at her home in Durango.
Mrs. Walsh was born Sept. 27, 1928, in Boston, Mass., the daughter of Elizabeth and Alfred Strong Cowles III.
She married Robert Carter in 1949 in Colorado Springs. Mrs. Carter moved to Durango in 1957. She married her second husband, Arthur Wells Walsh, in 1968 in Colorado Springs.
"She was a loving, caring mother, and she supported several different charities, including the La Plata Humane Society, as she loved all animals," said her son, Michael C. Carter.
Mrs. Walsh was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Carter, in 1973 and her second husband, Arthur Walsh, in 2003.
She is survived by her son, Michael Carter of Superior; her stepchildren, Louise Walsh of San Jose, Calif., Katie Walsh of Durango, Tim Walsh of Durango, Will Walsh of Golden, Andrew Walsh of Durango and John Walsh of Charleston, S.C.
Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango. Memorial contributions may be made to the La Plata Humane Society, P.O. Box 2164, Durango, CO 81302.
Larry E. Valdez
Larry E. Valdez, a Durango native who lived in Lakewood, died Tuesday, June 22, 2004.
He served in Vietnam from 1968 to1970.
Mr. Valdez is survived by his son, Larry J. Valdez; his mother, Berniece Martinez; his sisters and brothers, Ruby Carrillo, Steve Valdez, Josie Lujan, Martha Roybal, Sylviano Valdez and Fay Reandeau; and several nieces and nephews.
A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today and a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Church of All Saints Catholic Church. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
Dena L. Hamblin
Dena L. Hamblin, who lived in Ignacio and Mancos, died Saturday, June 26, 2004, in the Four Corners Nursing Home in Durango. She died of natural causes, said her son Wayne J. Hamblin.
Mrs. Hamblin was born Aug. 27, 1920, in Eagar, Ariz., the daughter of Elnora Myrl and Ellis W. Lund. She was the second of four children who grew up and went to school in Eagar.
She married Kenneth Max Hamblin in St. Johns, Ariz., on Oct. 25, 1941. Their first home was a little cabin on Jackson Creek. Later they bought the Hamblin homestead from Kenneth's mother, Ida Dee Hamblin. Their four children were born there. When the children were older, the family moved twice a year -to Alpine in the fall so the children could go to school and back to the farm in the spring.
Mrs. Hamblin loved feeding the thrashing crew each year. A crew of 15 to 20 men would harvest the family fields and haul the bundles from the fields to the thrashing machine.
She enjoyed the first picnic of the year, which was always on the first day of fishing season. There was the Easter picnic each year, where eggs were hidden, fish were caught and a cave was explored.
The Hamblins sold the ranch in 1958 and moved to Mancos where they bought a ranch in Weber Canyon. From there they moved to Ignacio in 1963.
Mrs. Hamblin lived in Ignacio until her husband died in 1983 and then moved to Santa Fe, N.M., to live with her daughter, Patricia. They moved to Albuquerque in 1990. Mrs. Hamblin lived there until 1995 when she had a stroke and moved to Colorado.
"Dena was a very special person who loved her family and was at her best when she was helping people and feeling needed," said her son Wayne J. Hamblin, on behalf of the family.
She loved to quilt, embroider, read and spend as much time as possible with her grandchildren. She fixed lunch for her grandchildren so they could take it to their favorite place, Elephant Rock, up the hill behind her house, for a picnic. She also took them driving fast down the gravel road past her house, which the children called Belly Road because the dip in the road made their bellies feel funny.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Max Hamblin Sr., and her son Harold "Happy" Ellis Hamblin.
Mrs. Hamblin is survived by her sister, Larna Eagar of Eagar, Ariz.; her children, Kenneth Max Hamblin Jr. of Pagosa Springs, Wayne J. Hamblin of Mancos and Patricia Lund of Mancos; her grandchildren, Leland Hamblin of Santa Fe, N.M., Gregory Hamblin of Well, Maine, Jeannine K. Hamblin of Grand Junction, Brandon Rex Hamblin of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Shalania Ann Hamblin of Pagosa Springs, Wayne J. Hamblin Jr. of Salmon, Idaho, Thomas Charles Hamblin of Fredericks, Kevin Dale Hamblin of Portland, Ore., and Shirl Twayne Hamblin of Severance; and 11 great-grandchildren.
A service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Mancos.
Olive Lutse
Olive Lutse of Ignacio died Friday, June 25, 2004, at her home after a lengthy illness. She was 52 years old.
Mrs. Lutse was a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. She worked in the library and casino in Ignacio, and in various other jobs through the Southern Ute Tribal Office. She had three daughters and one son.
"She enjoyed life, she was always willing to help other people," said her daughter Imogene White. "She always spent time with her grandkids; she just loved them."
White said everything her mother bought had to be purple, her favorite color.
"She was just a fun person to be around," she said.
Mrs. Lutse was born Oct. 31, 1951, in Cheyenne, Wyo. Her parents were Wilson and Labara Radea O'John Sr.
She is survived by three daughters, Miranda Weaver of Ignacio, Adrianna Weaver of Fruitland, N.M., and Imogene White of Fruitland, N.M.; one son, Calvin John of Ignacio; two sisters, Georgia McKinley of Ignacio and Mildred White of Towaoc; two brothers, Roy O'John of Ignacio and Percy Black of Randlett, Utah; six granddaughters; four grandsons; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Lutse was preceded in death by her husband, Boyce Lutse, her father, Wilson O'John Sr., and her mother, Labara Radea O'John; four brothers, Cavanaugh O'John, Calvin O'John, Wilson O'John and Gordon Watts; a half-brother, Crayton Washington; and a half-sister, Mary Suazo.
A rosary service will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio at 6 p.m. today. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ignatius with Father James Koenigsfeld, of St. Columba Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Ouray Memorial Cemetery in Ignacio.
Marion Franklin 'Pete' Brady
Marion Franklin "Pete" Brady, 69, died Tuesday, June 22, 2004, at home near Bayfield. He died of lung cancer said his wife Patti Brady.
Mr. Brady was born Oct. 28, 1934, in Hagerman, N.M., the son of Ocie Mae Howell and William Harrison Brady. He graduated from Hagerman High School. Later he completed two tours in the U. S. Army, serving in Germany.
On Sept. 19, 1970, he married Patti Burris White, the mother of Sterling White. The couple had a second son, Troy Brady.
Mr. Brady was a rancher and sheet-metal worker in addition to having retired from the U.S. Forest Service. In 2002 and 2003 he worked for Habitat for Humanity in Durango.
Mr. Brady read many books by Louis L'Amour and enjoyed the cowboy life. He was partial to a verse by Jack Terry from his book, "The Great Trail Ride":
So for now, Lord, just let me ride on the trails of this life till my job on earth here is through
'Cause I'm as close to heaven as I'll ever be till I ride that great trail home to you.
Mr. Brady is survived by his wife and sons; his sisters: Barbara Wells of Nashville, Tenn., Ellen Dollinger of Bristol, Va., Lela Mae Spears of New Mexico and Kathy Brady of Artesia, N.M.; his brothers: Robert Brady of Washington state; Morgan Brady of Kingman, Ariz., Will Brady of Midland, Texas, Johnny Brady and Bill Brady, both of Roswell, N.M.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Bayfield Church of Christ, 2011 U.S. Highway 160B. Stan Patterson will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Piņon Hills Church of Christ, 350 County Road 335, Ignacio, or to Mercy Medical Center Hospice, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, CO, 81301.
Ella Virginia Schoser
Ella Virginia Schoser, 71, who had lived in Durango since around 1960, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center. She died of natural causes, said her son Roger Cordary.
Mrs. Schoser loved animals and cared for many dogs, fish, snakes and turtles.
She is preceded in death by Frank J. Schoser, her husband of 44 years, and Sandy Waddell, her stepdaughter.
She is survived by her children: Michal Cordary of Delta, Roger L. Corday, Jr. of Durango, Sylvia Reynolds and Kathy Gardener, both of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Sam Schoser of Bloomfield, N.M.; her five stepchildren, 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church in Durango. Her family will then spread her ashes over her favorite spot in a nearby desert.
Beverly Murphy Young
A memorial service is planned for Beverly Murphy Young, 90, who died Monday, May 10, 2004, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango.
The service will be at 10 a.m. on July 10 at the Dolores Community Recreation Center.
Barbara Ann Barassi
Former Durango resident Barbara Ann Barassi, 60, died on Wednesday, June 16, 2004, of cancer.
Ms. Barassi was born June 13, 1944, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated from El Cerrito High in 1962 and worked for Pacific Gas & Electric in San Francisco until she retired.
Her last days were spent at her home overlooking Lake Shastina in California, with family and friends.
Ms. Barassi is survived by her son, Gary Bloom; her grandson, Jacob; her mother, Maryanne Barassi; her sister, Beverly Atkins; her brother, Barry Barassi and many family members and friends.
A celebration of Ms. Barassi's life was held before her death so no service is planned.
Nancy Louise O'Connor Goodpaster
Nancy Louise O'Connor Goodpaster, 57, died Tuesday, June 22, 2004, at her home in Hesperus. She suffered from emphysema, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerating bones and a stroke said her companion, Jerry Goodpaster. She also fought epilepsy all her life.
Ms. Goodpaster was born April 9, 1947, in Battleboro, Vt. She moved to the West 25 years ago to start a new life. She met Jerry Goodpaster in Tucson, Ariz., and they moved to Durango 22 years ago.
At one time they lived in tents on a buffalo ranch, enjoying a lifestyle of 150 years ago. They helped raise each other's kids. She spent many of her summer days planting trees at their place in Hesperus.
"She worked sunup to sundown in the summer with her trees and flowers and taking care of her family," Mr. Goodpaster said. "She was out trimming trees a day or two before she went into a coma."
"A lot of people knew her for her letters," he added. "If something happened, she'd write them a card, and I know lots of people kept those letters because she was so special the way she wrote them."
Nancy O'Connor Goodpaster wrote part of her obituary before she died. She wrote: "Preceded in death by son Joe O'Connor who died in 1998. Now God has called me to take the next step. We'll be waiting for the rest of you to catch up."
She is survived by her lifelong companion, Jerry Goodpaster of Hesperus; her son, Donald Goodpaster of Arizona and her grandson, Joe O'Connor of Durango.
Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango.
Erma Jeane Robbins
Erma Jeane Robbins, 83, who was born in Durango and lived here for 63 years, died Sunday, June 13, 2004, at Cedar's Health Care Center in Nashville, Tenn. She died of natural causes, said her daughter Jenoyce Doran.
Mrs. Robbins was born May 15, 1921, the daughter of Myrna Ambold and Gus Ambold. She graduated from Durango High School in 1938.
She married Arthur F. Christopherson, who died in 1955. She then married William C. Robbins in March 1957 and lived her life as a homemaker
Mrs. Robbins moved to Tennessee 20 years ago.
She was preceded in death by both of her husbands; her daughter Billie Jeane Robbins; and her granddaughter, Barbara Christopherson. Mrs. Robbins is survived by her brother, Jack Ambold of Montrose; her children, Myrna Chandler of Kansas, Robert Christopherson of Washington and Jenoyce Doran of Tennessee; her grandchildren, Richard Fultner, Chris Fultner, Steven Bryant, Joel Christopherson and Melanie Doran.
She will be buried Friday in Greenmount Cemetery. At her request, no services will be held.
Frances F. King
Frances F. King of Lake Vallecito died Sunday, June 20, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center. She was 101 years old. "Her heart just gave out," said her daughter Millie Scoggins.
Mrs. King was born Oct. 8, 1902, in Seattle, the daughter of Josie and Louis Fowler. She had three younger brothers, Jack, Louis and Perry.
The family lived in Colby, Wash., until Mrs. King was 6 years old, except for a single winter in Nome, Alaska. They moved to Huntley, Mont., where Mrs. King had a horse, and stayed until she finished her first year of high school.
She went to college in Bellingham, Wash., for two years, and then taught school for two years.
She married Jacob Boyde King in 1925. They lived in Port Orchard, Wash., where they raised three children.
Their home was eight miles from town. They always had a cow, pig, chickens, a vegetable garden and fruit trees. Mrs. King milked the cow, tended the garden, cooked and canned.
She moved to Oceanside, Calif., in 1955 after her husband died. She worked as director of the Sterling Housing Nursery School for Military Dependents of Camp Pendleton from 1956 to 1967, when she retired at 65.
In 2000, she moved to Lake Vallecito to live with her daughter Millie and son-in-law Lewie Scoggins.
Millie Scoggins remembered a comment her mother made last year when she lost some of her hair. It had been dark blonde but grew back in white. "I guess I must be getting old," Mrs. King concluded at the age of 100.
Mrs. King was preceded in death by her husband, her son, Louis Boyde King, and her daughter, Patti Lucille Mardesich.
She is survived by her daughter, Mildred Ruth Scoggins of Lake Vallecito; her grandchildren: Kathy Ellington of Snohomish, Wash., Marlene Tombury of Bellevue, Wash., Gayle King of Simms, Mont., Michael King of Marysville, Wash., Candace Lewis of Bremerton, Wash., Jeffrey King of Sacramento, Calif., Melinda Erickson of Mumbai, India, David C. Ku of Oceanside, Calif., Paula Millar of Greeley and Terri Von Feldt of Aurora; 19 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-granddaughters.
Her ashes will be buried at Eternal Hills in Oceanside, Calif.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vallecito Service League, care of Lavada Finney, 1483 County Road 500, Bayfield, CO 81122.
