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Leo Michael Marx (4/28/2006)
The father of local residents Martha Sandner and Pete Marx, Leo Michael Marx, died in Longmont on Saturday, April 22, 2006. He was 93.
He was born to Nic and Rosa Marx in Spencer, Neb., on Nov. 12, 1912. His father died in 1917, leaving the family flour-milling business and farm to be run by Rosa Marx and the children.
During his high school years, Mr. Marx enjoyed playing tennis, boxing and ice skating, while working at the mill and driving a soda-delivery truck to help support the family.
He graduated from Spencer High School in 1931 as valedictorian of his class. Three years later, Mr. Marx graduated from Wayne State College with a teaching certificate.
Mr. Marx became a school principal in Coleridge, Neb., where he met and fell in love with a young teacher, Margaret "Mardi" Lois Forrey. Mr. Marx was drafted into the Army in 1943. The couple got married when he was on weekend furlough on Aug. 30, 1943.
Mr. Marx served in the South Pacific as a tank gunner until the end of World War II. For this service, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor, eight medals for exemplary gunnery skills and the Purple Heart for wounds he received in action.
Mr. Marx earned a master's degree and education-specialist degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and was a member of the National Educators Platform.
Mr. Marx served as superintendent of schools in Pagosa Springs, Spencer, Neb., DeBeque, Lynch, Neb., Kit Carson and Agate. He retired in 1984 after nearly 50 years as an educator.
The couple returned to the Marx family farm in Spencer that year.
His family said, "During Leo's life he has been a miller, a farmer, a teacher, an avid reader of Zane Grey novels, a generous son, loving husband, cherished father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a steadfast and faithful Christian man."
Mr. Marx was preceded in death by his wife, Mardi Marx; grandchild Brian Hartsock; and great-grandchildren Sarah Schlachter and Nathan Hall.
Mr. Marx is survived by his children Martha Sandner of Durango, Pete Marx of Hesperus, Michael Marx and Lawrence Marx, both of O'Neill, Neb., Mary Hartsock of Longmont, Leo Marx of Colorado Springs, Nick Marx of DeBeque, Ginny Reitz of Wheat Ridge and Margaret Marx of Buena Vista; sister Alice Marx of O'Neill, Neb.; 31 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer, Neb.
Condolences may be sent to Lawrence Marx, P.O. Box 483, O'Neill, NE 68763.
L. Keith Wayt (4/28/2006)
Durango native L. Keith Wayt died in Fort Collins on Thursday, April 20, 2006. He was 82.
He was born in Durango to Price and Sylvia Wayt on July 9, 1923. Mr. Wayt grew up here and attended local schools. His family said his love of mountains and the outdoors was nurtured during that time.
Mr. Wayt married his high school sweetheart, Marian Towne, in 1943.
In 1946, he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University and went on to earn a Master of Science in animal pathology and a doctorate in medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Mr. Wayt spent a few years in private practice before returning to CSU to teach. He became head of medicine at the Veterinary College.
After 20 years at CSU, Mr. Wayt went to Baton Rouge, La., to develop the College of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University. He returned to private practice for a few years in Phoenix before retiring.
Mr. and Mrs. Wayt continued to pursue their love of the outdoors by traveling in their recreational vehicle, fly fishing and prospecting for gold. They lived in Las Vegas for many years before returning to Fort Collins in 1996 to be closer to family and friends.
Mr. Wayt is survived by his wife, Marian Wayt of Fort Collins; son, Ronald Wayt of Fort Collins; daughter, Jean Brewer of Phoenix; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Cremation has occurred, and a private family service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Allnutt Riverside Chapel, 1530 Riverside Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524.
Phyllis Odella Westergard Lornell (4/27/2006)
Former Durango resident Phyllis Odella Westergard Lornell, 82, died in Colorado Springs on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006. She had lived there since November 2004.
Mrs. Lornell was born to Al and Helen Westergard in Calio, N.D., on June 8, 1923. She was raised in Fairmont, Minn., and graduated with a degree in social work from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn.
She married Iver Lornell in August 1947.
The Lornells moved to Colorado shortly after their marriage and raised their family in the Denver area. Mrs. Lornell was employed as a social worker for the Denver Public Schools for 30 years. The couple retired to Durango 20 years ago.
Mrs. Lornell was active in the First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed entertaining friends, and her family said she was known for her gracious hospitality.
The Lornells enjoyed traveling in their recreational vehicle and visited every state in the Union. Their family said their greatest contentment was in their Durango home.
"Mother was a list keeper;" her daughter, Robyn Lornell, said. "lists of parties given, people invited, gifts given and received, lists of table decorations and food prepared (and where to find the recipe); lists of phone conversations; lists of concerns; lists going back to 1958. As I maintained the final vigil by Mama's bedside, I read her Bible to her. And within that much highlighted, underlined and notated book, I discovered lists of prayers and lists of people she prayed for daily."
Mrs. Lornell was preceded in death by her husband, Iver Lornell.
She is survived by her daughter, Robyn Lornell, of Colorado Springs; son, Todd Lornell, of Sutton, Mass.; sister Lucille Westergard Gould; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at noon Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church of Durango. A reception will follow at the church.
Ralph Lee Baumgardner (4/27/2006)
Ralph Lee Baumgardner, 74, died at his home in Aztec on Tuesday, April 25, 2006.
The cause of death was complications from emphysema.
Mr. Baumgardner was born to Emmett and Gladys (Pritchard) Baumgardner in Telluride on July 5, 1931. He grew up in the Animas Valley and on the family ranch near Oxford. He attended Durango High School.
Mr. Baumgardner was a life member of the Elks Lodge No. 1747 and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
He worked as an electrical lineman all over the Unites States between the years of 1952 and 1987.
Mr. Baumgardner enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ava Baumgardner.
Mr. Baumgardner is survived by his brothers Johnny Baumgardner of Arizona, Donny Baumgardner of Denver, Pat Baumgardner of California, Dick Baumgardner of Bayfield and Ted Baumgardner of Arizona; son, Gary Baumgardner, of Phoenix; daughters Melody Ondrejech of Phoenix, Jana Oestmann and Cindy Newton, both of Sedona, Ariz., and Roxy Young of Cottonwood, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and companion Hazel Starbuck of Aztec.
Cremation will occur. A graveside memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Greenmount Cemetery.
Jenny Virginia Amyx Bramwell (4/26/2006)
The daughter of Archuleta County pioneers, Jenny Virginia Amyx Bramwell died at Pine Ridge Extended Care Center in Pagosa Springs on Saturday, April 22, 2006. She was 90.
She was born to Mark and Esther Fanny (Smith) Amyx at her grandfather C.M. Smith's homestead in the Blanco Basin on Dec. 23, 1915.
Mrs. Bramwell's grandparents were among the first homesteaders in Archuleta County. Her father came to Colorado with his mother, and grew up on the Murray Place on the lower Blanco River. Mrs. Bramwell's mother's family owned several properties in Archuleta County, including the land where the new high school is built in south Pagosa Springs and the big white house above it.
Mrs. Bramwell attended Blanco Basin School and graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 1936. She attended Union College in Lincoln, Neb.
On May 27, 1940, she married Floyd Lewis Bramwell in Aztec. They had met in third grade and usually dated on horseback.
Mrs. Bramwell was a stay-at-home mother for many years. She returned to the work force as a substitute teacher in local schools and as a clerk-typist for the Archuleta County Welfare Department.
She was always involved in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The Bramwells' children remember their father saddling all the horses for the family's evening rides. Every night, Mrs. Bramwell tucked her children in with Bible readings, prayers and the reading of what they called "good old books" written by authors like Zane Grey.
Mrs. Bramwell was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Bramwell, in June 2005; daughter, Connie Kirkham; and grandson Rex Bramwell.
She is survived by her sister Esther Margaret Patterson of Fallon, Nev.; children Doug Bramwell of Bloomfield, N.M., Gary Bramwell of Pagosa Springs and Marvel Bramwell of Reno, Nev.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2006, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Pagosa Springs. The Rev. Aaron Hatfield will officiate. Burial will occur at Hilltop Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 40 Orem St., Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.
Raymond Guadalupe Aguilar (4/26/2006)
Ignacio resident Raymond Guadalupe Aguilar, 77, died at his home on April 21, 2006.
Mr. Aguilar was born to Felix and Bernadette (Salazar) Aguilar in Cuba, N.M., on Feb. 14, 1929. He grew up in Dolores. During his early adult years, he worked around McPhee Reservoir.
Mr. Aguilar served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was honorably discharged.
He was an active member of the American Legion, giving much of his time to support the local chapters, including honoring those who had died by being present at their burials and calling bingo for many years at the legion halls.
Mr. Aguilar enjoyed fishing, hunting, treasure hunting, camping and watching the History Channel.
His family said he loved spending time with them and being with his grandchildren.
Mr. Aguilar is survived by his sons Raymond F. Aguilar, Robert Jenson, Terrill Jenson and Brook Jenson, all of Durango, and Joseph Neil of Ignacio; daughters Lynell Jenson of Ignacio and Jeanette Lobato, Jackie Gallegos, Christine Aguilar and Joann Aguilar, all of Farmington; partner of the past 17 years, Lavern Jenson, of Ignacio; sisters Florence Siepel of Sandy, Utah, and Mary Aguilar of California; brother Lloyd Aguilar of Ignacio; 27 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2006, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031 will officiate.
Adonais 'Ed' Gallegos (4/25/2006)
Longtime Cortez resident Adonais "Ed" Gallegos, 79, died April 22, 2006, at his home. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Mr. Gallegos was born Aug. 10, 1926, in Cebolla, N.M., to Adolpho and Eufemia (Gurule) Gallegos.
He married Mary T. Martinez in Aztec in October 1946. The shared 58 years of marriage and had 12 children.
Mr. Gallegos was retired from Montezuma Valley Irrigation Co., where he worked as a grade-all operator.
He enjoyed camping, fishing and having a good time with his friends. Mr. Gallegos was especially fond of family fishing expeditions to Groundhog Reservoir. When he was younger, he played in a band and his family said he was an excellent guitar player.
Mr. Gallegos was preceded in death by his wife, Mary T. Gallegos; children Stella Lopez, Steven Gallegos and Stella Gallegos; grandsons Carlos Martinez and Joseph Gallegos.
Mr. Gallegos is survived by his children Jo Mott, Alex Gallegos, Maryann Miera, Carmen Gallegos and Ernestine Olivas, all of Cortez, Phillip Martinez and Toby Gallegos, both of Durango, Leonard Gallegos of Denver and Larry Gallegos of Farmington; sister Carmelita Archibeque of Cortez; and numerous grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2006, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel, 42 N. Market St. in Cortez. A funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2006, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. The Rev. Joseph Gallegos will officiate. Burial will follow at Cortez Cemetery.
