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Bernice Irene Zick (2/15/2007)
Durango resident Bernice Irene Zick died at her home on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007. She was 90.
Mrs. Zick was born to William and Lyla Louise Habermann in Waterloo, Wis., on Nov. 9, 1916. When she was young, her family moved to Watertown, Wis., and Mrs. Zick graduated from high school there.
Several years after her marriage to Robert Walter Zick in Watertown, the family moved to Aspen, where Mrs. Zick was the bookkeeper for the Beck and Bishop grocery store. They lived there from 1946 to 1975.
The Zicks retired to Durango in 1976. Mrs. Zick opened her own thrift shop named Sweet Charity, which was located in a small building next to her home on Goeglein Gulch Road. All of the proceeds went to local good causes. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
"She was a very giving woman who loved to be with people," her family wrote. "She enjoyed gardening, baking and being with her family."
Mrs. Zick was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Zick, in 1989.
She is survived by her sons James T. Zick and Terry W. Zick, both of Durango; brother Wayne Habermann of Basalt; sisters Ruby Klockow of Watertown, Wis., and Carol Dynes of Durango; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at Glenview Memorial Gardens in Ixonia, Wis.
A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. March 3, 2007, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Joseph F. Grisingher (2/15/2007)
Joseph F. Grisingher, 90, died at Four Corners Health Care Center on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007. The cause of death was complications from Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
He had lived in the area since 1997.
Mr. Grisingher was born to George and Clemintina Grisingher in Santa Ysabel, Calif., on July 7, 1916.
He was a veteran of World War II and was on Omaha Beach at the Normandy landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Mr. Grisingher was discharged as a private first class from the 23rd Infantry in the Army. He was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
On May 31, 1952, he married Billie Jeanne Ball in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Mr. Grisingher retired from the city of Santa Barbara after 24`BD years of service. About 30 years ago, Mr. Grisingher received an award for going down in a deep gully to save two people whose Jeep had slid down. He was able to save one of them, and also helped rescue the paramedics who were unable to get out, according to his family.
He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association of America, California Rifle and Pistol Association, Disabled American Veterans Post No. 37 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1649.
His daughter, Barbara Grosshans, said that before the Alzheimer's disease set in, Mr. Grisingher enjoyed making wreaths for everyone in the neighborhood and hanging them on their doors.
Not only did he take care of the city's parks, Mr. Grisingher also enjoyed gardening at home. His daughter said he grew extremely hot chile peppers and taught her how to grow sweet oranges.
"He was always busy, and we never went without. He was also very smart, worldly and knowledgeable," his daughter said.
Mr. Grisingher was preceded in death by his son, George Grisingher.
Mr. Grisingher is survived by his wife of 54 years, Billie Jeanne Grisingher, of Ignacio; daughter, Barbara G. Grosshans, of Ignacio; two grandsons; and one great-granddaughter.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield. The Rev. James Newman will officiate.
Marillyn J. Strader (2/14/2007)
Bayfield resident Marillyn J. Strader, 86, died in Cortez on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007. The cause of death was complications resulting from brain surgery in 2005.
Mrs. Strader was born to William Henry and Doris (Graham) Wagner in Saginaw, Mich., on May 20, 1920. She was raised in Michigan. After graduating from college, she went on to instruct and model professionally for the Patricia Stevens' Modeling School in Detroit.
She married in 1956, and the marriage later ended in divorce.
Mrs. Strader worked for the ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. for many years. She went on to work as an executive assistant at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Kalamazoo, Mich. She retired in 1995.
Mrs. Strader relocated to Colorado in 2000 and built a house in Bayfield.
Her family said Mrs. Strader was an accomplished concert pianist and harpist. She enjoyed gardening and painting.
Mrs. Strader was preceded in death by her daughter Marri J. Strader.
She is survived by her daughter Lynda Blaney of Dolores and numerous family members in Michigan and California.
Cremation has occurred. Her ashes will be buried in Michigan this summer and a private memorial for family and friends will be held at that time.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Montezuma County, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez, CO 81321.
Ralph Edward Fross (2/13/2007)
Ralph Edward "Ed" Fross, a longtime Durangoan, died Friday, Feb. 09, 2007, at Presbyterian St.Luke's Hospital in Denver.
Mr. Fross was born in Richland Township, Ohio, the son of Lillian and Guy Thompson. He was a Durango resident for 40 years.
He was married to Elaine Fross for 34 years. They married in Durango on Oct. 27, 1972.
Mr. Fross had a diverse career. He was a carburetor mechanic in Durango. He also served as an auto mechanic, airplane mechanic, pilot, race-car driver, small-business owner, lumberjack, carpenter, real-estate agent and had numerous other occupations.
He was passionate about playing the guitar, spending time with friends in his garage and working crossword puzzles and logic problems.
In his youth, he was also an avid hiker and backpacker. He also enjoyed drag racing and building hot rods.
His family said Mr. Fross was a loving husband, father and grandfather. "His garage door was always open, and anyone who came by might be treated to live guitar music from Ed, his friends and traveling musicians from around the country," his family wrote. The family noted Mr. Fross' quick wit, a love of laughter and a sage wisdom.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine, of Durango; daughters Diane Ghirardelli of Craig, Debbie Frisby of Durango, and Lori Moss of Richland, Wash.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at St. Columba Catholic Church. The Rev. Jim Koenigsfield will officiate. Friends and family will be invited to say a few words as well. There will be a gathering of friends and family after the service to celebrate Mr. Fross' life.
Wilma Anne Chancy (2/13/2007)
Breen native Wilma Anne (Hunt) Chancy died at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., on Tuesday Feb. 6, 2007, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 61.
Wilma was born to William and Dora Hunt in Durango on July 12, 1945. After graduating from Durango High School, Wilma married Brian Chancy, and they settled in Jacksonville.
Wilma is survived by her husband, Brian, of Jacksonville; son, Nathen Chancy, of Jacksonville; daughters Lori Chancy and Carla Gerona, both of Jacksonville; mother, Dora Hunt, of Breen; sister, Harriet Fehringer, of Breen; brother, Paul Hunt, of Albuquerque; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Friday in Jacksonville. Another memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, in Durango at Hood Mortuary. Burial will be at Crestview cemetery.
Betty Jane Hanon (2/12/2007)
Betty Jane Hanon, a longtime Durango resident, died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, at her son's home in Farmington.
Mrs. Hanon, 75, died after a brief struggle with cancer, said her son, Pat Hanon.
"She was a good friend to all," her son wrote. "She was the most wonderful mother anyone could have and the best grandma in the world."
She was born Nov. 16, 1931, in Kansas, the daughter of the late Earl and Mary Longley.
After graduating from high school in California, she married Donald Hanon in 1950 in Colorado Springs. The two moved to Durango in 1963.
Mrs. Hanon was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church. She enjoyed cooking and being with people. Her son said the happiest years of her life were spent at Mill Creek Lodge, north of Purgatory.
Survivors include her son, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her daughter, Mary Queen.
The family will hold a private memorial service later this year.
Wilma Anne Chancey (2/11/2007)
Breen native Wilma Anne Chancey died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 61.
Mrs. Chancey was born on July 12, 1945, in Durango to William and Dora Hunt. After graduating from Durango High School, she married and settled in Jacksonville.
She is survived by her children, Nathen Chancey, Lori Chancey and Carla Gerona, all of Jacksonville, Fla.; mother Dora Hunt of Breen; sister Harriet Fehringer of Breen; brother Paul Hunt of Albuquerque, N.M.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Chancey was preceded in death by her father, William "Billy" Hunt, and two brothers, Richard Hunt and Thomas Hunt.
A memorial service was held Feb. 9 in Jacksonville, Fla. A second memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at Hood Mortuary in Durango. Burial will take place at Crestview Cemetery.
Thelma A. Black (2/11/2007)
Longtime La Plata County resident Thelma A. Black died Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, at her Bayfield home with her family by her side. She was 81.
Mrs. Black was born Oct. 25, 1925, in Grand Junction to Ralph and Bessie Turner. She married Daniel Black on June 27, 1948.
Mrs. Black attended Fort Lewis College. During her senior year, she wrote a thesis about the early history of the Fort Lewis School and is part of the archives at the Center of Southwest Studies. She graduated from FLC in 1967.
Mrs. Black's family said she was a skilled seamstress and was known for her crocheted afghans and table linens. She also enjoyed fishing with her family in La Plata Canyon and the streams and lakes of the San Juan Basin.
Mrs. Black is survived by her husband, Daniel Black, of Bayfield; daughter Sharon Mignerey of Houston, Texas; sons David Black of Bayfield, Paul Black of Slingerlands, N.Y., and Sean Black of Greeley, Colo.; sister Ruth Shull of Longmont, Colo; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, at the Fort Lewis College Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Mercy in Durango.
Francis A. Manzanares (2/10/2007)
A former Durango resident Francis A. Manzanares died at his Farmington home on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. He was 77. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Known as Frank, he was born to Senobia and Marion Manzanares in Ignacio on March 2, 1929. He studied at the old Oxford School. When he was 16 in 1945, he joined the Army and was in the process of being shipped to Japan when they discovered that he was too young. He was discharged and sent home.
On his 18th birthday, Mr. Manzanares re-enlisted and was then shipped to Korea, where he was wounded.
Soon after he returned to Durango, he met Helen Martinez. The couple married on Aug. 8, 1951, and began a family that eventually consisted of 11 daughters.
During this time, Mr. Manzanares served two tours in Vietnam. After more than 20 years of military service, he retired from the Army and moved his family back to Durango.
He worked for the city of Durango and eventually for the La Plata County Sheriff's Office.
In 1979, the Manzanares family moved to Farmington. There, Mr. Manzanares worked for the San Juan County Sheriff's Department and the Arizona Public Service power plant as a security guard.
Mr. Manzanares was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 3448 and a member of the Fourth Degree. He was named the council's grand knight, district master and faithful navigator for many years.
In 1990, Mr. Manzanares retired. He and his wife enjoyed traveling. Mr. Manzanares also enjoyed camping, hunting and calling bingo at the Knights of Columbus.
The Manzanares family had many memories, such as Christmas Eve, when Mr. Manzanares was known for the serious attention he gave his job as Santa Claus.
Mr. Manzanares was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Manzanares, and daughters Linda Martinez and Alice Manzanares.
He is survived by his nine daughters, Mary Jones of Farmington, Caroline Martinez of Bayfield, and Roberta Manzanares, Beverly Atencio, Audrey Johnson, Annette Delgado, Janet Delgado, Cynthia Manzanares and Sandra Rue, all of the Farmington-Bloomfield area; brothers George Manzanares of Ignacio, Gilbert Manzanares of Price, Utah, and Willie Manzanares of Provo, Utah; sisters Alice Martinez of Ignacio and Margie Vallegas of Grand Junction; 29 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren.
A rosary was recited Feb. 9, 2007, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Farmington. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today, Feb. 10, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.
