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Anna Mae Waldie (1/19/2006)
Durango resident Anna Mae Waldie, 86, died at Four Corners Health Care Center on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. The cause of death was complications from a back injury.
She was born to Ellis and Mary Wright on Dec. 28, 1919, in Alamogordo, N.M. On Aug 13, 1939, she married Robert Waldie, also in Alamogordo.
The Waldie family moved to Durango in 1963. Mrs. Waldie worked as a postal clerk, bank teller and volunteer.
She retired as a federal employee with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest Service in Durango.
While at the Bureau of Reclamation, Mrs. Waldie typed much of the paperwork pertaining to the Animas-La Plata Project.
She enjoyed square dancing, round dancing and all animals, big and small. The Waldies had a square-dance floor set up in their basement so they could practice. They also belonged to the square-dancing group that preceded the San Juan Swingers.
Her father, a government trapper and game warden, sparked her love of the outdoors at a young age. Mrs. Waldie liked to camp, picnic and hunt.
"She was a lovely, lovely lady," her husband, Robert Waldie, said. "Everybody liked her and she was really talented. She could do so many things."
Mrs. Waldie is survived by her husband, Robert Waldie, of Durango; son Norman Waldie of Aurora; brother Ralph Wright of Wall Lake, N.M.; sisters Mary Hunter of Las Cruces, N.M., and Vio Dell Gosnell of Silver City, N.M.; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, at Hood Mortuary Chapel.
The Rev. Earl Caudill of Hospice of Mercy will officiate.
Burial will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, at Fort Bayard National Cemetery in Fort Bayard, N.M.
Geneva Ann Humiston (1/18/2006)
Mancos resident Geneva Ann Humiston, 68, died at Mercy Medical Center on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006. The cause of death was heart failure.
She was born to Obie James and Neva (Rush) Walden on Dec. 19, 1937, in Thompkinsville, Ky. On Feb. 23, 1958, she married Glen E. Humiston at the Moffet Field Naval Air Station in California.
Mrs. Humiston was a member of the Mancos Study Club and was proud to be a 4-H leader for 33 years. She also was a dedicated member of the Southwestern Cowbelles. She was named the Southwestern Cowbelle of the Year in 2002 and the Colorado Cattlewoman of the Year in 2004.
In her spare time, Mrs. Humiston was fond of growing flowers. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidery and cooking.
Mrs. Humiston is survived by her husband of 47 years, Glen Humiston, of Mancos; children Glenda Lee Humiston of Richmond, Calif., Beverly Ann Humiston and Joyce Marie Humiston-Berger, all of Mancos, Paula Rae Mitchell of Globe, Ariz., and Ronda Gail Weir of Lewis; siblings Betty Ward of Cumberland, Ind., and Lee Walden of Crawfordsville, Ind.; eight grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, at the Cortez Elks Lodge. The Rev. Bud Rousset will officiate. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Mancos.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montezuma County 4-H Council, c/o Jan Sennhenn, 109 West Main St., Cortez, CO 81321.
Jimmie D. Tibbetts (1/18/2006)
Longtime Durango resident Jimmie D. Tibbetts died at The Valley Inn in Mancos on Monday, Jan. 16, 2006. She was 91.
She was born to John and Lanora Sanders on May 26, 1914, in Quitique, Texas. She graduated from high school in 1932 and married George Tibbetts in November 1933.
The family moved to Durango in 1946. She worked for Gordons and Levins department stores. She also worked for COD Laundry for 15 years.
Mrs. Tibbetts especially enjoyed her family and the outdoors.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Tibbetts; daughter, Jimmie Dowler; and son Jerry Tibbetts.
Mrs. Tibbetts is survived by four grandchildren, who all live in La Plata County.
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, at Hood Mortuary. The Rev. Myron T. Darmour will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.
William E. Hunter (1/18/2006)
The stepfather of well-known Durangoan Mike Smedley, William E. Hunter, died at his Salt Lake City home on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006. He was 76.
Mr. Hunter was born on Nov. 15, 1929, in Provo, Utah, and lived for many years in Park City, Utah. He enjoyed skiing, hunting, golfing and working on home improvements. Other favorites included big-band music and visiting Durango.
A 35-year Mountain Bell employee, Mr. Hunter took an early retirement. He and several fellow coworkers founded Precision Wiring, which grew into one of Utah's premier firms working in telecommunications.
"Bill had tremendous patience and a great sense of humor," Smedley said. "He was forever kind, generous and supportive, especially when I was a bratty, troublesome teenager. I was truly lucky to have him as my stepdad, role model and friend. I miss him terribly."
Mr. Hunter married Patricia F. Smedley in 1975. He considered her the love of his life.
In 1990, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Hunter.
In addition to Mr. Smedley, Mr. Hunter is survived by his sons by his first wife, Michael Hunter of Sandy, Utah, and Todd Hunter of Heber, City, Utah; stepson Matt Smedley of West Jordan, Utah; and several siblings and grandchildren.
Services and burial will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Larkin Sunset Lawn in Salt Lake City.
In lieu of flowers or cards, the family requests that you plant a tree or a flower garden; make a donation to your favorite charity; or call, visit or write to your out-of-town family members.
Karla Jean Bosse (1/18/2006)
Durango resident Karla Jean Bosse, 36, died at her home on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Mrs. Bosse was born in Albuquerque to Carl and Veronica Phelps on March 9, 1969. She was raised in the Tiffany-Allison area and was involved in raising prize steers through 4-H. Though she called the Durango area home, she lived in Dallas for a short time.
Mrs. Bosse attended San Juan College and Fort Lewis College and studied nursing as well as accounting. Most recently, she had worked as a truck driver in this area.
She married Herman Joseph "Jody" Bosse II in Durango on Sept. 31, 2005.
Her favorite color was shades of purple and she enjoyed arrowhead hunting, archeology, tending her roses and animals. Her family said she was an excellent cook and baker.
"She lived for love," her daughter, Tarah Phelps, said. "She loved us and her husband. She was never self-centered and always thought of others."
Mrs. Bosse is survived by her husband, Herman Bosse II, of Durango; daughter Tarah Phelps of Durango; sons Travis Phelps of Durango and Brian Helton and James Helton, both of Bloomfield, N.M.; stepson Joshua Bosse of Albuquerque; stepdaughters Carly Bosse and Lindy Bosse, both of Seattle; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, at the Hood Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. Joe Sparks will officiate. Burial will take place at Greenmount Cemetery.
Richard Lee Zelhart (1/17/2006)
Entrepreneur Richard Lee Zelhart, 69, died on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, from injuries suffered in a motor-vehicle accident in Zenith, Kan.
Mr. Zelhart moved to Durango 35 years ago. His children called him his own "unique entity." He owned Castle Furniture, co-owned Northpoint Mall and was a real-estate developer. He enjoyed fishing, camping and metal detecting and had an interest in computers. He had recently become a fan of the Denver Broncos.
Mr. Zelhart was born to Willie and Nellie Zelhart on Sept. 9, 1936, in Macedonia, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Misty Zelhart.
Mr. Zelhart is survived by his sons Alan Zelhart of Chandler, Ariz., Jeff Zelhart of Nixa, Mo., and Mark Zelhart of Pagosa Springs; daughter Dawn Zelhart of Durango; and four grandchildren.
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. J.W. Carlile will officiate. Burial will take place at Greenmount Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.
Mary Ellen Ford (1/17/2006)
Former Durango resident Mary Ellen Ford, 81, died on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, at Louisville Care Center in Louisvile, Neb. The cause of death was congestive heart failure.
Mr. and Mrs. Ford moved to his hometown of Durango in 1969 after he retired. They were active at the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge and with the Emblem Club.
Mrs. Ford was born on March 9, 1924, to Clarence and Naomi (Green) Kilpatrick in Claytonia, Neb. The couple met when she was a volunteer for the USO and Lester Ford was stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Denver.
Mrs. Ford was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Ford. She is survived by sons Rick Ford of Clayton, N.M., and David Ford of Hutchinson, Kan.; daughters Mary Ellen Dalia of Bellevue, Neb., and Jeannie Soul of Rifle; 29 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Cremation has occurred. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. Andrew Cooley will officiate. Burial of the ashes will take place at Greenmount Cemetery.
Vincent J. Duncan (1/17/2006)
Former Purgatory owner Vincent J. Duncan died in Denver on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006. He was 83.
The Duncan family owned mineral properties in Utah during the 1950s and became acquainted with Southwest Colorado during that time. In the mid-1960s, Mr. Duncan's brother Raymond T. Duncan formed a family investment group to create Purgatory Ski Area. Mr. Vincent Duncan held an ownership position in the ski area from that time until the early 1990s, holding the majority interest during the last few years of the Duncans' involvement with the resort.
Mr. Duncan graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1944. He went on to become a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific during World War II.
He married Annamarie Duncan. The marriage ended in divorce many years later. After the war, Mr. Duncan was a Colorado businessman who was involved in oil and gas, real estate and other entrepreneurial enterprises. He was a member of the Order of the Knights of Malta and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
Mr. Duncan is survived by his six children Vincent Joseph Duncan Jr., Mary Stuart Duncan, Kara Kelly Duncan, and Terrence Walter Duncan, all of Denver, Andrea Ruth Duncan of Boston and Ryan Patrick Duncan of Chicago; brothers The Monsignor Edward J. Duncan of Champaigne, Ill., J. Walter Duncan of Oklahoma City and Raymond T. Duncan of Denver; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Jan. 17, 2006, at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd. A rosary will be recited following the visitation at 7 p.m., also at Horan & McConaty. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 2375 E. Arizona Ave., Denver.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Children's Hospital Foundation, 1245 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 400, Denver, CO 80218.
Joseph A. 'Babe' Garcia (1/16/2006)
Joseph A. "Babe" Garcia, a native of Ignacio and Durango, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, in Albuquerque from complications associated with various medical problems. He was 76.
Mr. Garcia was born July 23, 1929, in Ignacio, to Joseph and Mary Garcia. He attended Durango public schools and graduated from Durango High School.
Upon leaving Durango, Mr. Garcia took various jobs in Denver. After some time, he moved to Albuquerque and continued his education, studying to become a registered nurse.
Mr. Garcia settled in Albuquerque where he married Patricia Garcia, a native of Alamosa.
Both were nurses, and Mr. Garcia spent several decades caring for patients at St. Joseph's Medical Center and Lovelace Hospital, said brother Levi Garcia.
Among his many hobbies, Mr. Garcia enjoyed carpentry and mechanics.
"He was such an all-around guy," Levi Garcia said. "He could do just about anything."
Just a month earlier, Mr. Garcia was preceded in death by wife, Patricia.
He is survived by one son, four daughters, five grandchildren, brother Levi Garcia of San Jose, Calif., and brother John "Diego" Garcia of Colorado Springs.
Mr. Garcia was buried beside his wife on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, in Alamosa.
Hinio Head Tucson (1/15/2006)
Southern Ute Tribal Elder Hinio Head Tucson, 87, died at Mercy Medical Center on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006. The cause of death was complications from renal failure.
He was born to Celestino H. and Carmen (Sanchez) Tucson in La Posta on Jan. 1, 1919. While growing up there, he attended La Posta Elementary School, which his great-grandmother Maria Antonio Tucson founded. He was sent away to Indian School for a time.
Mr. Tucson married Ernestine Mestas in 1938. She died in 1945. The couple had two sons and two daughters.
He worked in Pueblo for the Union Pacific Railroad and later for the Geneva Steel Plant, in Provo, Utah. He moved back to Durango and worked for the Southern Ute Tribe in maintenance, building fences and other projects.
In 1949, Mr. Tucson married Rebecca Mestas. They had three sons and six daughters together.
Mr. Tucson lived in La Posta and raised livestock. His daughter Theresa Amato said he built his own adobe house that is still standing after 30 years as well as helping her brother with his house in Durango.
His family said he was a great storyteller and knew a lot about the early settlers of the small town. They also said he had a great sense of humor and could always bring a smile to others.
After his wife died, his daughter Beatrice Cervantes took care of him.
Mr. Tucson was preceded in death by his wives Ernestine Tucson and Rebecca Tucson; daughters Betty Cruz, Disi Tucson and Shealey Tucson; and son Paulie Tucson.
He is survived by his sons Amador Tucson and Isidro Tucson, both of Durango, Felix Tucson of Ignacio and Jake Tucson of Farmington; daughters Theresa Amato, Beatrice Cervantes and Connie Tucson, all of Durango, and Amy Gonzales and Debbie Tucson, both of Salt Lake City; 30 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, at Sacred Heart. The Rev. Antonio Flores was the celebrant. Burial followed at La Posta Cemetery, about 12 miles south of Bodo Park.
Elzy G. Welsh (1/15/2006)
A lifelong resident of the Four Corners, Elzy G. Welsh died on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, in Mesa, Ariz. He was 90.
Mr. Welsh was born in Farmington to Jack and Myrtle (Brown) Welsh on Dec. 15, 1915, and spent his childhood in Pagosa Springs, Mancos and Rico.
During the Depression, Mr. Welsh spent a couple of years in the Civilian Conservation Corps helping to build the road and original ranger station at Mesa Verde National Park.
On June 6, 1941, he married Jessie M. Bisbey in Alamosa. They were married 49 years, spending most of those in Durango as they raised their family.
Mr. Welsh worked as a bus driver for Continental Trailways for more than 40 years, often on the route between Durango and Alamosa. He retired in 1980 with more than 2 million safe-driving miles.
His son Stan Welsh said that many local residents can recall a safe, comfortable ride over Wolf Creek Pass with Mr. Welsh at the wheel. Members of the Durango High School Band in 1965 may remember him as one of the drivers on their trip to the Portland Rose Festival in Oregon.
Away from the bus, Mr. Welsh enjoyed fishing and exploring the mountains of Southwest Colorado. He especially loved fly fishing in high mountain streams accessible only by four-wheel drive. He was a past member of the Four Corners Jeep Club and the San Juan Swingers Square Dance Club. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge.
After Mrs. Welsh died in 1990, Mr. Welsh married Thelma Annella Fry of Mesa, Ariz., in 1991. The couple split their time between Durango and Mesa until 2002, when health concerns forced them to live full time in Arizona.
Mr. Welsh is survived by his wife, Annella Welsh, of Mesa, Ariz.; sons Ray Welsh of Las Vegas and Stan Welsh of Salt Lake City; stepdaughters Shirley Cmolik of Mesa and Sheryl Dannelly of Sacramento, Calif.; stepson Bill Sturges of Phoenix; 18 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.
Cremation has occurred. Burial of the ashes will take place at a later date at Greenmount Cemetery.
Bernitta Mae Will Schulz (1/14/2006)
Cortez resident Bernitta Mae Will Schulz, 86, died at Vista Grande Nursing Home on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. The cause of death was not disclosed.
The Schulzes had lived in Cortez since 1973. Mrs. Schulz was a committed member of the First Baptist Church in Cortez and loved to educate the children of the congregation.
She was born to Lewis A. and Ida Felsberg Will on Jan. 24, 1919, in Vesper, Kan. She graduated from high school in Lincoln, Kan. On Dec. 31, 1937, she married Norman C. Schulz in Vesper.
For more than 60 years, Mrs. Schulz was an educator of children. She loved her roses and watching birds. A family member said that family and God were the center of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Schulz, and her son, Kenneth Schulz.
Mrs. Schulz is survived by her daughters Betty Lou Greenemeier of Dolores and Shirley Ann White of Congress, Ariz.; sisters LaVerna Webber of Salina, Kan., and Trudy Parsons of Hunter, Kan.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, 219 N. Linden. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at the Cortez Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rose Wildlife Rescue, P.O. Box 852, Cortez, CO 81321.
Sister William Marie (1/14/2006)
Durango native Mary Louise Ayres, who became Sister William Marie of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, died at the Convent of the Holy Names in Los Gatos, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006. She was 98.
She was born to Arthur and Mary (Sloan) Ayres in Durango on Feb. 3, 1907. Her family had deep roots in Durango. Her grandfather Robert E. Sloan was one of the co-founders of and owned Graden Mercantile as well as a flour mill and several saw mills. Her father worked at the First National Bank of Durango.
Sister William Marie graduated from Durango High School, where she was "quite active and social," her niece Susan Ayres Davies said. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and worked in San Francisco for several years.
Her family had been Presbyterian, and there is a room at First Presbyterian Church of Durango named after Sister William Marie's aunt Anna K. Broad.
"She said she would ride a streetcar to work every day," Davies said, "and go past this same Catholic Church. She said the parishioners looked so peaceful and devout."
Sister William Marie took catechism classes and converted to Catholicism before taking her vows at age 32. Her brother and sister also converted to Catholicism.
A nun for 66 years, she served for some time in Peru before becoming mother superior at the convent in California. Sister William Marie was the California Provincial from 1961 to 1970.
She was known for her business sense. She bought several buildings in the Oakland area and then sold them for a profit, providing money to the convent's school.
"She loved cars even though she never owned one," Davies said. "She told stories of driving to Mesa Verde."
Sister William Marie maintained a voluminous correspondence with her sister, Katherine Ayres, who lived in the family home until her death several years ago. Sister William Marie sent a whole trunk full of those letters to Davies recently.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at the Convent of the Holy Names, 200 Prospect Ave., Los Gatos, Calif. Burial will take place at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward, Calif.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ministry Fund, Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 907, Los Gatos, CA 95031.
