Search Archived Marriage Records
Patrick George Smeal
Patrick George Smeal (Pat) passed
away Sept. 2, 2004, in Parker, Colo.
Pat was number six of 10 children.
Two of his sisters, Ann Smeal and
Theresa Springer, live in Park County.
Pat was born on Nov. 8, 1958, to
David and Rose Mary Smeal in Las
Cruces, NM. When Pat was three
years old, the family moved to
Colorado and made their home south of Littleton. He
attended Lewis Ames Elementary, Isaac Newton Middle
School and Arapaho High School. During those years, Pat
developed a love for old automobiles, the ‘50s and ‘60s
and home construction.
In his 20s, he started his own electrical company, Edison
Electric, and bought the home he grew up in after his
parents moved back to New Mexico. He rebuilt several
classic automobiles, notably a ‘68 Dodge conversion van
that won top honors at car shows. Pat eventually restored
the family home, sold it and bought a home in Aurora that
he impressively remodeled. He was restoring a Chevy
Chevelle and a ‘58 Del Ray at the time of his death.
Being a deep thinker, Pat was well read. Under the tough
guy exterior, he had a heart of gold. He was best known
for his meticulous electrical work with an eye for detail. He
treated his employees extremely well. He looked after his
customers, many times being the quiet watchful eye over
the other subcontractors, setting the bar for high
standards. Many times his fees were ridiculously low or he
would take it out in trade or ask the customer/family
member/friend to pass on a good deed to another. He
truly knew the art of giving from the heart without
expectations of receiving anything in return and taught
others kindness through his actions. Once, a friend from
the old neighborhood suffered a stroke. Pat studied her
rehab needs and built a bicycle that helped her walk
again. When another lost their eyesight Pat drove him to
Montana to visit one of the old neighbors who’d moved
after losing his wife.
Pat’s death will be hard for his family to understand for a
long time.
His sister Margaret preceded Pat in death. He will be
deeply missed by his parents, David and Rose Mary;
brothers: Paul (Virginia), Pete (Parker); sisters, Ann and
Theresa, Sue (Castle Rock), Mary (Toonerville, Ariz.)
Debbie (Littleton) and Judy (New Mexico). Pat had
numerous nieces and nephews.
Norman E. Kinderknecht, Sr.
Norman E. Kinderknecht, Sr., 57 of Hartsel, Colo., died
Oct. 17, 2004. He was born July 8, 1947, in Hays, Kan. to
Joseph C. and Albertine Kinderknecht. He grew up in Hays,
joined and served in the U.S. Army for six years, and was
a farmer/rancher in the Hays area for over 33 years.
Norman raised registered Limousin cattle and American
Quarter Horses for several years, and was working as a
manager for the Rollin’ High Sipal Ranch. He married Julie
A. Bohnert on May 20, 2000, in Shawnee, Kan. He loved
to hunt, be outdoors and play with his grandkids, who
loved to play with “Ponca.” Norman was a member of St.
Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Central Colorado
Cattleman’s Association, Colorado Cattleman’s Association,
National Auctioneer’s Association, American Quarter Horse
Association and North American Limousin Foundation.
Norman is survived by his wife Julie A. Kinderknecht,
Hartsel, mother Albertine Kinderknecht, Hays, Kan., sister
Rosalie (Virgil) Gross, Hays, Kan., brother Roger
Kinderknecht, Kansas City, Mo., daughter Sonya (Darin)
Boline, Hays, Kan., son Norman (Sherry) Kinderknecht,
Jr., Hays, Kan., daughter Janet (Joe) Kubitschek, Hays,
Kan., son Terry (Connie) Kinderknecht, Hays, Kan.,
daughter Julie (Lee) Bond, Hays, Kan. Also eight grand
children. Preceded in death by his father Joe C.
Kinderknecht, brother Chuck Kinderknecht. Services were
held Wednesday, Oct. 20 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic
Church. Interment was in the Como Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Ark Valley Humane
Society, Buena Vista, Colo. Arrangements by Runyan
Mortuary.
Doris Lavern Spann
Doris Lavern Spann, a resident of
Como, Colo. since 1949, and
beloved mother passed away on
Nov. 15, 2004. She was born on
Oct. 28, 1920, in Diagonal, Iowa.
She rejoiced in the love of her family
and friends who will miss her until
the day of hope rejoins us all. She
married Ben A. Spann who preceded
her in death on March 6, 1999. She
is survived by her four sons, Stephen, Gerald, Donald,
John Mark; and her daughter, Debra Purcella. Doris is the
grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of 16.
She will be cremated and join her husband among the
Como mountains they loved so much and taught their
family to love as well. Memorial services will be held at
Westland Baptist Church, 430 S. Kipling, Lakewood, Colo.
at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19. Refreshments will be served
and old friendships reinforced after services. Access to the
church is by turning East at the first traffic light south of
Alameda.
If you know of someone that would appreciate this
message, please feel free to pass it along. We all feel the
loss, but are lifted by the hope of tomorrow.
If the spirit moves, in lieu of flowers, please send any
donation to one of the following in the name of Doris L.
Spann: Como Civic Association, P.O. Box 402, Como, CO
80432 or Westland Baptist Church, 430 S. Kipling,
Lakewood, CO 80226.
Landon K. Schweer
Landon K. Schweer — Lanny, to friends and family —
passed away at home after a brief illness on Nov. 8, 2004.
Lanny was born in Elsie, Neb. on Oct. 18, 1931. He moved
to Westminster with his family when he was four and
graduated from Westminster High School in 1951. Lanny
served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955 attaining the
rank of Staff Sergeant. He spent his years in the service in
France and Germany where he learned to ski. In 1959
Lanny began working on the Roberts Tunnel Project,
moved to Fairplay and never left. During his early years in
Fairplay he worked as a Park County Deputy Sheriff and
Fairplay Town Marshal, and with the Colorado Mounted
Patrol and the Geneva Basin Ski Patrol. Lanny was active
with Search and Rescue and ran on the South Park
Ambulance for more than 20 years. Over the last 40 years
Lanny worked as a surveyor and platted out many
subdivisions in South Park, leaving his mark with
imaginative road names. In 1972, he designed and built
his pride and joy, the Indian Mountain Ski Area. After
marrying the love of his life, Carmela, they bought
“Lanny’s Texaco” at the corner of Castello and U.S. 285.
After 13 years of cold nights spent in the tow truck, they
sold the station and he went to work “over the hill” for
Stan Miller Excavating. Lanny didn’t believe in retirement.
Any job that Lanny loved included helping those in need.
Lanny is survived by his wife, Carmela; sisters Catherine
Oswald and Gail Goodman, eight children, Kelli Jo Kipp,
Christina Herndon, Todd Schweer, Eric Schweer, Scott
Avery, Rush Avery, Holly Wyatt and Kevin Avery. Lanny
and Carmela have 15 grandchildren and 3 1/2 great grand
children.
A celebration of Lanny’s life will be held Saturday, Nov. 13
at 11 a.m. at the South Park High School. A gathering of
friends and family will follow at the Schweer House. In lieu
of flowers, please make a contribution to the Park County
Search and Rescue, P.O. Box 721, Fairplay, CO 80440 in
his honor.
Dress for the celebration will be blue jeans. Lanny was
married in them and wanted to be buried in them.
James Tingle
James Tingle, age 69, of Hartsel, was tragically killed on
Friday, Oct. 29 in Hartsel. James was the owner of South
Park Realty and owner/operator of Bayou Salado Trading
Post. James was active in the community and served as
President of the Hartsel Library, co-founder of Collegiate
Peaks PFLAG and Treasurer of the Colorado Water
Conservancy District. James is survived by his wife, Evelyn
Whatley; two sons, Russell and John Tingle;
grandchildren, Mark Tingle, Colin and Natalie Whatley; one
sister, Elizabeth Staples; and three stepsons, Kevin, Chris
and David Whatley.
A celebration of life was held on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.
m. at the Hartsel Fire Station. Donations can be made to
the Hartsel Library, P.O. Box 400, Hartsel, CO 80449.
