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RALPH A. HUESING
June 24, 1933 - April 9, 2011
Ralph A. Huesing of Ouray and Green Valley, Ariz., died unexpectedly Saturday, April 9, 2011. Vernon G. Hughes, his beloved partner of more than 53 years, was with him at the time.
Ralph was born in Manhattan, N.Y., on June 24, 1933, to Adolph and Irmgard Rodenvaldt Huesing, who preceded him in death. He is survived by Hughes, of Ouray and Green Valley, and his sister Ursula Huesing Rakow, brother-in-law Donald, two nephews and a niece, all of Rockwall, Tex.
After graduating from secondary school in 1951, Ralph attended City College of New York, a seminary prep school in Winfield, Kan., and Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Clayton, Mo., from which he graduated in l956. He received his master’s degree from Washington University in Clayton, Mo., in 1964, and his Ph.D. from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo., in 1973.
Dr. Huesing was an elementary teacher, counselor and principal in Jennings, Mo., until his retirement in 1986. After retirement, he and his partner Vern moved into a 19th century Victorian house in Clarksville, Mo., which they restored to its original condition, and opened an antiques shop in the front parlors. The house was considered to be of such significance that it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
While Vern took care of the shops – which came to include two more across the street in the business district, Ralph involved himself in civic affairs. At the time, the Board of Aldermen was considering taking a headache-ball to the two-block commercial area. Instead, Ralph, in 1987, formed Historic Clarksville, Inc., and raised over $3 million to enable Historic Clarksville to purchase these abandoned, dilapidated and collapsing buildings and restore them to their original condition and appearance. This area is now a National Historic Register District and is a destination for many visitors from St. Louis and beyond. In addition, Ralph worked to form a chapter of National Main Street, a group whose mission is to restore the economy of small downtowns. Both of these endeavors have earned numerous awards.
Ralph then turned his attention to Clarksville’s main north-south route, Highway 79, running through town, and helped this highway achieve the designation of the Little Dixie Highway of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway.
When Ralph and Vern retired from their antiques businesses and moved to Ouray, Ralph discovered that the famous Wright Opera House was for sale and was threatened by plans to convert it to condominiums. While working for the Jennings School District and later during his civic efforts in Clarksville, Ralph had gained expertise as a grant writer, which he then used to good effect to help enable the Friends of the Wright Opera House to acquire the property.
Ralph served as president of the Clarksville organizations he had founded and, at the time of his death, was the president of the Homeowners’ Association of West Villas in Green Valley, Ariz.
Ralph was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ouray, St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Green Valley, and St. James’ Episcopal Church in Griggsville, Ill.
A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, the date for which has not yet been set. Donations may be made to Second Chance Humane Society in Ridgway, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ouray or Friends of the Wright Opera House in Ouray.
Allison Kreutzen
Sept. 9, 1969 - April 26, 2011
Allison Kreutzen, 41, of Tahoe City, Calif., was tragically killed with her boyfriend, Kip Garre, in an avalanche on Split Mountain in the eastern Sierras recently. Kreutzen worked as an ER nurse at Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, Calif. She was an accomplished skier, climber, kayaker, ultra runner and mountain biker, earning a reputation as a highly skilled and respected extreme athlete in mountain communities in the western United States.
Allison recently returned to her longtime home in North Lake Tahoe in 2009 after living for several years in the Ridgway/Telluride areas of Colorado. Although her athletic achievements were impressive and numerous, she was known to downplay her accomplishments, some of which include: first woman to free climb Patagonia's Central Tower of Paine in Chile; running 250 miles of the John Muir trail in five days; finishing the 100-mile Western States Endurance Run in under 24 hours, taking fourth place among women; and climbing El Capitan (and other Yosemite walls).
Allison will be most remembered, though, for her compassion and kindness, expressed in her hallmark smile, generosity of spirit and ability to engage and connect with all children (who found her intoxicatingly enchanting). Her natural beauty and sense of unique, personal style garnered her the nickname "Glitter Girl." It was not unusual to see her adorned in sequins and sparkles atop remote peaks in the Sierra, Rockies, Alps, Patagonia, Alaska or even Mongolia.
She was admired for her zeal for life and deep love of the mountains. She had recently found joy in her relationship with 38-year-old Garre, who had a similar playful, creative side.
Allison was born in San Francisco in 1969. She grew up skiing in the Sierras where her family spent vacations, weekends and holidays throughout her childhood. She attended Chico State University earning a BA in Recreation Management. She later returned to school for a nursing degree at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nev. Kreutzen is survived by parents Dick and Sharon Kreutzen of Ridgway and brothers Jeff and Tim Kreutzen, both of San Francisco.
A memorial honoring both Allison and Kip is scheduled for Thursday, April 5, at 2 p.m. at the Olympic Valley Lodge in Olympic Valley, Calif. In lieu of "open mic, " guests are encouraged to prepare a piece of art work, poetry, and/or written account of a favorite memory for each of the deceased on 8.5x11-inch paper and bring to the event. These will be displayed at the memorial and bound later for the family. Donations can be made in Allison's name to the following organizations: Girls on the Run https://www.active.com/donate/GirlsOnTheRunIntl, and the Eastern Sierra Land Trust: www.easternsierralandtrust.org.
Earl L. Boland
August 1922 - April 22, 2011
Earl L. Boland, 88, of Golden and Ouray, died April 22, 2011 at the Denver VA Hospital. Earl was preceded in death by his wife Barbara and is survived by his son Mike (Diana) Boland and daughter Mary Lynne Boland.
Earl was born in Ohio in 1922. He completed one year at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force in November 1942. He served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force as a B17 pilot in the 385th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in the European Theater during WWII. His plane was shot down twice. The second time was Oct. 5, 1944 near Frankfurt, Germany, and Earl was captured and was a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 1 in Germany until the war ended in Europe in late May 1945.
Earl returned to Miami University in January 1946. Barbara and Earl were married on April 29, 1949. He received his Masters Degree in Education from Miami University in 1952. Son Mike was born in 1954, and daughter Mary Lynne was born in 1955.
Earl was employed by Indian Hill High School, Ohio, 1950-1961 as Athletic Director, teaching Physical Education and Driver’s Ed and coaching basketball, track and golf. The family moved to Golden, Colo., in the summer of 1961. Earl worked for Jefferson County Schools from 1961 until his retirement in 1984. He was Assistant Principal at Arvada High School, Alameda High School and Golden High School; then Principal at Evergreen Junior High School until retirement. Earl and Barbara bought a house in Ouray in 1969 and spent summers here.
Barbara and Earl were members of the Ghost Town Club of Colorado and involved with other outdoor groups. Earl loved Colorado, the Rocky Mountains and Ouray, and enjoyed golfing and taking trips in his motor home. The family spent many wonderful days exploring the Colorado high country and the Ouray area, hiking, jeeping and sharing adventures with their many dear friends.
We appreciate every one of you who have contributed so much to our lives and share wonderful memories of Earl and Barbara. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ouray Trail Group, attn: Dennis Moyer, Box 50, Ouray, CO 81427.
Theodore Lincoln Brooks, Sr.
March 30, 1919 - April 12, 2011
Theodore (Ted) L. Brooks, Sr., age 92, of Montrose passed away at his home on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Ted was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on March 30, 1919, to the Rev. Arthur A. Brooks and Clara Mason Brooks. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers Arthur and Lee Culver Brooks.
He married Marian Ruth Inhelder on March 31, 1939, who predeceased him in 1982. He is survived by their three children, Theodore Lincoln Brooks, Jr., John Alford Brooks and Ann Brooks Carr, and by four grandchildren, Essie (Bob) Becker of Montrose, Marian (Tom) Omernik of Montrose, Mason Brooks, Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Aaron Brooks of Montrose.
Ted attended Cornell College and the University of Nebraska, and he graduated from the University of Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Law in 1943. He served in World War II in the Pacific Theater on Admiral Nimitz’s staff as a naval intelligence officer after completing the Japanese language school at the University of Colorado.
He moved his family to Montrose in 1946, where he practiced law until his retirement in 1997. He first practiced in the firm of Bryant and Petrie, before starting an individual practice with Ralph Miller in the firm of Brooks and Miller. Several other attorneys later joined the firm, including John Overholser, Jerry Lincoln, his son John Brooks, Bob White and his grandson Aaron Brooks. During his legal career he was elected and served as the District Attorney of the Seventh Judicial District from 1953 to 1957. In 1982 Ted was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Colorado River Water Conservation District and was elected President of the Board in 1987, serving as its president for eight years, retiring as President upon the successful completion of the Wolford Mountain Project. He served as legal counsel for Tri-County Water Conservancy District for 25 years and for Montrose Memorial Hospital for 40 years. He represented the citizens of the community of Naturita in its incorporation in 1952. He was one of the founders of the Project Seven Water Authority and the San Juan Health Care Foundation. He was honored by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Colorado Legislature for his distinguished years of service to the citizens of western Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the San Juan Healthcare Foundation, 800 S. 3rd St., Montrose, CO 81401. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Montrose. The service will conclude at the church, with a private family inurnment with Military Honors to be held at Cedar Cemetery, Montrose.
Lafayette Clinton Cox
June 10, 1934 - March 5, 2011
Known to everyone as Clint, Lafayette Clinton Cox died at the age of 76 of a heart attack at the home on Suzanne Lane he shared with Jane Meiklejohn. The OCEMS worked hard to revive him.
Cox was born in South Carolina and raised in Schenectady, N.Y., where he lived most of his life. He came to Ridgway in July 2008 and quickly adjusted to the altitude. His best friend Meiklejohn and he shared a fondness for the mountains — he wanted to hike almost as much as he wanted to take time to quietly watch wildlife. Cox was intrigued by Colorado’s unpredictable weather, which was quite a change from his home up north.
Cox authored several highly-acclaimed books for young readers, including three on fascinating yet little-known aspects of African American military history. He first became interested in writing after hearing his father and other black veterans describe their combat experiences during World War II.
Cox is survived by his three sisters: Catherine Boyd, Pauline Cox and Carolyn Parker. He is also survived by his nephews Ralph Boyd, Jr. and Leonard Parker and their children: Dylan Parker and Katie, Jessica, Maggie Mae, Jamie and Jeremy Boyd.
Frank Leo Durkee II
Oct. 19, 1932-March 25, 2011
Ouray native son Frank Durkee died suddenly but peacefully on March 25, 2011. He was 78.
An only child, Frank was born in the miners' hospital in Ouray on Oct. 19, 1932 to Lillian McDaniel Durkee and Frank Leo Durkee, who was superintendent of the Ouray School for a brief period of time. The family moved from Ouray when young Frank was a toddler and eventually settled in St. Louis, where Frank's father became the head of disaster planning for the Red Cross.
Here, Frank graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1951. He went on to earn a degree in history from Princeton College in 1955, then attended Virginia Theological Seminary.
He was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1959.
For the next two decades, Frank worked as an assistant priest at several Episcopal churches in Georgetown and Washington, D.C., including St. Stephen’s and the Incarnation.
Frank also worked at a poverty agency and an economic development agency during Johnson’s era of the "Great Society" and traveled as a consultant to various cities helping with business development. A first marriage ended in divorce.
Through his work, Frank met Sheila Joroff, whom he married in 1979. The couple remained in Washington, D.C., for a decade before moving to Ouray in 1989 with their three young children, Sean, Cyle and Bryanna. The family had vacationed here and were attracted to the small town lifestyle. All three children attended Ouray School.
In Ouray, Frank devoted himself to raising his children and was very involved with St. John's Episcopal Church, although he was never the rector here.
He served on the Ouray City Council in the 1990s and volunteered countless hours for the Ouray County Food Bank until his recent illness.
The Durkee family spent a brief period in the Caribbean, where Frank had a temporary assignment as a priest at St. Kitt’s and Nevis.
For two years in the 1990s, Frank also taught at Verde Valley School, a private school in Arizona from which his eldest son Sean graduated.
Starting in the late 1990s, Frank worked as the rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Sedona for five years. He also had a short 18-month stint at the Episcopal church in Buena Vista, Colo., before his retirement.
“Frank Leo Durkee II was a man of grace, ” his son Cyle said. As someone who spoke his mind freely, he made frineds gracefully, and made rivalries even more gracefully. Frank would show you how to be merciful with the strength of angels. He would also show you how to defend your beliefs and your principles with a sword of fiery passion. He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.”
A funeral service will take place at St. John's Episcopal Church in Ouray at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14 with Bishop Rob O’Neill of Denver presiding. In lieu of flowers, which are not allowed in the church during Lent, the family asks for donations to be made in Frank's name to St. John's Episcopal Church Kenya orphanage project (call 325-4655 for more information), St. Stephen's and the Incarnation in Washington, D.C., or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Sedona, Ariz.
There will be a reception in the parish hall following the service.
Ann Larson
Died March 31, 2011
Ann Larson, elementary school educator, died March 31, 2011 in Tucson, Ariz.at the age of 89. Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Leslie A. Larson II, and by her son, Leslie "Chip" Larson III. After retiringfrom teaching in Tucson, Ann lived in Ouray for a number of years. She is survived by daughters Sharon Larson and Kristin Teran(Humberto); by grandchildren Jeff Suter, Scott Suter (Roberta), Gregory Teran (Laurie) and Pamela Wallace (John); by six greatgrandchildren; and, by friends and caregivers in the Reminiscence Community at Sunrise at River Road in Tucson. Contributions in memory of Ann may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Ralph Huesing
Part-time Ouray resident Ralph Huesing died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 9 in Green Valley, Ariz. Locally, he was active in St. John’s Episcopal Church and was a founding member of the Friends of the Wright Opera House, for which he served as chair for some time. He also worked extensively with the City of Ouray’s Community Development Committee as it was conducting the 2020 Survey several years ago – a major survey instrument measuring customer and tourist data for Ouray businesses.
A memorial service has not yet been scheduled. Condolence cards can be sent to Vern Hughes, 186-A Paseo Quinta, Green Valley, AZ 85614.
Otsie Clark Stowell, Jr.
May 16, 1925- March 16, 2011
Otsie Clark Stowell Jr., 32nd Degree Mason who was active in the Ouray Masonic Lodge, died March 16 at the Homestead Assisted Living facility in Montrose. Otsie was 85 years young. He died of chronic obstructive lung disease.
Otsie was born May 16, 1925 in Madison, Kan., to Otsie Clark and Julia Del Stowell. Otsie graduated from Russell Kansas High School, class of 1943. While attending Russell High he met his high school sweetheart Violet Marie Tullis and they married in 1945 while both were serving in the military during World War II.
Otsie is survived by four children: Otsie Stowell III now in Boulder; Albert Stowell of Austin, Tex.; Denise Stowell Weiger of Pueblo; and Terressa Stowell Love of Montrose. Otsie and Violet had eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Otsie also has seven nieces and nephews and one sister-in-law and brother-in-law remaining.
Otsie is preceded in death by his precious wife of 62 years, his sister Kathleen Owens of Stillwater, Okla., his sister-in-law Agnes Bird of Hays, Kan., and his grandson Otsie Clark Stowell IV.
Otsie would have earned his 60-year Masonic Lodge pin this fall and was a lifelong member of the Blue Lodges in Colorado. Otsie was chosen as the Mason of the Year for Colorado in 2003 along with other Masonic honors and offices throughout the years. Otsie was a 32nd degree Mason and was very active in area lodges in Grand Junction, Ouray, Olathe, Delta and Montrose. Otsie was also a member of Eastern Stars, which he watched his daughter Terressa join in 2008. Both Violet and Otsie had been members of Eastern Stars in Montrose and Ouray. Otsie served on the speech and hearing committee at Montrose Memorial Hospital, and in lieu of flowers, donations to this honorable program in Otsie’s name are requested.
Otsie’s other interests in life were river trips with his sons Otsie and Albert, working on his ranch with Violet and traveling to visit daughters Terressa and Denise in Las Vegas. Otsie took great comfort and joy with his great-grandkids and spent this last Thanksgiving with grandson Steven Carlson and his family, where his great-grandsons called him the “shake and bake grandpa” due to the percussion vest he used twice a day. All five great-grandkids loved hugging Grandpa while he used the vest.
Otsie had varied careers and started out in the oil fields of Kansas, following in his dad’s and father-in-law’s footsteps after getting released from the Air Force, in which he learned to fly warplanes. The oil fields moved Otsie and Violet and their new family (son Otsie) to Rangely, Colo., where Otsie continued to fly private planes and work in the oil fields. This love of flying led Otsie to become an Air Traffic Controller at the Denver Tower, moving the now expanded family of six to Aurora, Colo., then to Longmont, Colo., where Otsie was a controller until he retired for medical reasons. While living in Longmont he helped Violet with the bra business she ran and later became a Farmers Insurance agent. Otsie and Violet retired from their businesses and moved to Austin, Tex., to be near their grandchildren, where Otsie worked for his son Albert. Otsie and Violet moved back to Montrose permanently in 1998. Daughter Terressa moved in with Otsie in January 2008 after Violet’s death in October 2007.
Services will be held at Grace Community Church, which Otsie has attended and was a member for the last three years with Terressa. The date and time of the service is to be announced. The service at Grace Community Church is separate from a service to be held at the Montrose Pavilion in May.
Frank Durkey
Oct. 19, 1932-March 25, 2011
Ouray native Frank Durkey died last Friday, March 25 at Montrose Memorial Hospital.
A service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14 at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Estelle Blake
July 17, 1925-March 25, 2011
Estelle Blake, age 85, passed peacefully from this life at Montrose Memorial Hospital of an unexpected illness on Tuesday morning March 15, with her daughter by her side.
For the past 17 years, Estelle (affectionately known as “Granny” to her family) lived with her daughter Barb, son-in-law Doug and her granddaughter Hannah in Ridgway.
Estelle was born July 17, 1925 in Dearborn, Mich. Her greatest joys in life included her family, her friends, and the beauty and serenity that surrounded her in Ridgway. Her kind and loving nature touched everyone around her. With warmth and grace, Estelle faced her life’s challenges with a courageous spirit.
At age 66, Estelle made a life-changing move from Newport Beach, Calif., to Colorado to be a part of her granddaughter’s life. She loved Hannah with all of her heart. The 17 years that she shared with Hannah will always be remembered with love and gratitude.
Estelle always remained a “California Girl.” She kept in frequent contact with her friends and family that remained there. She rarely missed her daily dose of California news and commented frequently on California’s weather and happenings during the family’s daily dinner conversations.
Estelle (“Granny”) will always be remembered for her love, her courage, her grace and her joy. Her infectious and engaging smile will be greatly missed. There will be a celebration of Estelle’s life in late May or early June. For more information, please contact her daughter Barb Morrison at 626-5896. In lieu of flowers, feel free to remember Estelle with a donation to a charity of your choice.
