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Newton Eldo Klusmire
July 5, 2005
Newton Eldo Klusmire, of Rifle, died Thursday, June 30, at the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home in Rifle. He was 82 years old.
Newt was born in Palmer Lake, Colo., on Aug. 6, 1922 to Eldo and Gladys Dalton Klusmire. He spent his childhood at Palmer Lake and graduated from Palmer Lake High School. As a young man he enjoyed rodeoing, skiing and playing baseball and softball, and remained an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer and sports fan throughout his life.
He joined the military service in 1942, first as a naval pilot. Then he served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, and in the Air Force in the Korean War.
Newt moved to Aspen in 1946, worked for the Aspen Skiing Corporation, and helped build the Lift 1A. He then went into the bar and restaurant business, at times owning Newt's Bar in Aspen, the Frying Pan Inn in Basalt, and the Rifle Supper Club in Rifle. He owned many other businesses in his lifetime, and also worked at numerous bars and restaurants in the valley.
Newt is survived by his sons Newton R. (Deb Scherger) Klusmire of Denver, Jon Klusmire of Bishop, Calif., and Patrick Klusmire of Rifle; sister Betty Bishop of Paonia; and five grandchildren: Maeve Sarah, Newton R.P., Seth William, Ansel Francis and Mariah Day Klusmire. During the last 18 years of his life, Marge Kiaskak, of Rifle, was his trusted friend and personal companion.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannette (Munroe) Klusmire, brother Bob Klusmire and sister Marie.
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the Rifle Funeral Home. Rev. Del Whittington of the Open Door Church will officiate. Rifle Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Nancy Sussman
July 6, 2005
Nancy M. Sussman, a longtime Aspen resident, died June 27 in Tucson as a result of injuries suffered in an auto wreck. She was 85 years old.
Nancy Vitale was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 16, 1920. She grew up and worked in New York and married Henry Sussman there in 1973. In 1975 the couple moved to Aspen and began their many years of volunteerism. Nancy volunteered as many as 40 hours per week in Aspen and Arizona. Among the organizations she gave her time to were the Aspen Valley Hospital gift shop, the Aspen Music Festival and School, Challenge Aspen, the Aspen Historical Society, Boogie's Diner Buddy 5 race, the Ducky Derby and the Food and Wine Classic. Nancy also worked at the Wildwood School child-care food program.
In 1985 the Sussmans moved to Arizona for the winters and spent their summers in Aspen - or, as Nancy called it, "paradise." After Henry's death in 1998 Nancy continued to summer in Aspen. She was returning for the Food and Wine Classic when the wreck occurred.
Nancy will be remembered by one of her frequent sayings: "If you want a friend, be a friend." She was an accomplished cook and enjoyed entertaining.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews; stepson Michael Sussman and his wife, Sharon, of Glenwood Springs; and a wide circle of friends.
A memorial Mass and reception will be held at a later date. Donations in Nancy Sussman's name may be made to the Aspen Valley Hospital volunteers or the Aspen Music Festival and School.
Joanne Henry
July 12, 2005
Joanne Henry passed away peacefully at Swedish Medical Center in Denver, on Friday, July 8, with family at her side. She was 58 years old.
Joanne was born on Nov. 14, 1946, in LaSalle, Ill., and was a graduate of LaSalle-Peru High School. She held a bachelor's degree in business education from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Colorado.
Over the years, Joanne enjoyed hiking with family and friends, quilting with the Quilters' Guild of Glenwood Springs, skiing with her husband Pat and reading. As a teacher for 22 years, Joanne inspired children throughout the Roaring Fork Valley to learn and be true to themselves. In 2003, Joanne retired from teaching at the Aspen Community School in Woody Creek.
Joanne is survived by her husband, Patrick Henry, of Carbondale; her son, Greg Henry, of Lakewood; her daughter, Allison Brenzikofer and son-in-law Chad Brenzikofer of Littleton; her sister, Eloise "Dolly" Nekrosius of LaSalle, Ill.; her father, Thomas V. Ciesielski, of LaSalle, Ill.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Joanne was also expecting her first grandchild in September. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Ciesielski.
A visitation was held at Farnum-Holt Funeral Home in Glenwood Springs yesterday. A memorial service is being held at the Church of Carbondale today at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Aspen Community School in Joanne's name.
Palma Pastrana Ruiz
July 13, 2005
Palma Pastrana Ruiz of El Jebel died July 6, in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. She was 60 years old.
Palma was born May 6, 1945, in Ignacio Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Gil Pastrana and Francisca Apodaca. She married Jerardo Ruiz in 1962.
She was a housewife for a time; she was also employed by the Sardy House in Aspen and the Snowmass Club for many years.
Palma is survived by husband Jerardo Ruiz; sons Sergio Ruiz, Gumaro Ruiz, Manuel Ruiz and Cesar Gerardo Ruiz; daughter Norma Ruiz; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Palma was preceded in death by three brothers, one sister and a daughter, Christina Ruiz.
Visitation was held on Saturday, July 9, at Farnum-Holt Funeral Home in Glenwood Springs; and on Sunday, July 10, at Kathryn Senor Elementary School in New Castle. The funeral service was held Monday, July 11, at the Church of Carbondale, with interment at Hillcrest Cemetery in Carbondale.
Robert C. Lewis Jr.
July 21, 2005
Robert C. (Bob) Lewis Jr., beloved husband, father and grandfather, died on July 15 in Emmett, Idaho. He was 91 years old.
Robert was born on Oct. 6, 1913, with his twin sister, Betty, in New York City. His family moved to Boulder in 1916 and to Denver in 1924, where he attended East High School and the University of Denver. Childhood summers were happily spent in Eldora, outside Boulder. He received a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Colorado in 1940 and an M.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1942. He also served in the Pacific theater in World War II.
Robert married Connie F. Brenny in 1943. They were divorced and he later married Miriam Robbins in 1960. Throughout his life Robert was a sportsman. He was a Junior Colorado Mountain Club member, an avid outdoorsman, skier and climber, making several first ascents of Colorado Front Range peaks in the 1930s. He climbed peaks in the Gore Range before they were named, and he was involved in mountain rescue. Later in life he was a horseman as well.
About 1948, Dr. Lewis and his family moved to Aspen, where he became one of two physicians practicing in Aspen for many years. He moved to Glenwood Springs in 1955, where he was a founding member of Glenwood Medical Associates. He later worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Boise, Idaho.
Robert will be remembered as a stickler for detail, for his tenacity, and for his sense of humor.
He is survived by his widow, Miriam E. of Emmett; children Janet E. (Gerald) Fedrizzi of Eagle, Nancy (Court) Parfet of Bailey, Julie Pretti of Denver, Charles (Bonnie) Lewis of Glenwood Springs, Carol Lewis of Dallas, Ore., and Mary (Rob) Little of New Plymouth, Idaho; grandchildren Leslie Carrier, Chris and Jeff Fedrizzi, Jackie and Rick Talbott, Tammi Otte, Stephanie Wilson, Sheila Pretti, Chad, Chelsey, Chris, Matthew and Erin Lewis, Erica Turner, Andrea Burfeind, and Robin Little; several nephews and nieces; and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his four siblings and one grandchild.
No formal services are planned.
A favorite poem to remember him by is the following, from Henry Van Dyke and used in the Scouts' Creed:
These are the things I prize and hold of dearest worth
Light of the sapphire skies, peace of the silent hills,
Shelter of forest, comfort of grass, music of birds,
Murmur of little rills, shadow of clouds that swiftly pass.
And after showers, the smell of flowers, and of the good brown earth.
But best of all, along the way, friendship and mirth.
Winifred Margaret Key Elliott
July 26, 2005
Winifred Margaret Key Elliott, of Aspen, died July 14 after a brief illness. She was 87 years old.
Winifred was the loving wife of the late Rev. Dr. John F. Elliott. She was born in Jacksboro, Texas, and grew up in Marshall, Texas, where she graduated from high school and attended the College of Marshall (now East Texas Baptist University). She earned her Bachelor of Arts cum laude in English from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and her M.A. in English from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She also did graduate work in music and Christian education at Wheaton College, in Illinois, and held a Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate from the Texas Education Agency.
Winifred's 34-year teaching career included Azle High School, the Fort Worth Independent School District, and Tarrant County Community College, all in Texas. In her career as a vocal musician, she was an accomplished soprano soloist for many churches in Texas and Virginia. As a composer and author, she wrote and copyrighted over 450 songs and 27 books, including the Key Music Series, a collection of 14 books with worldwide circulation.
In 1999, she joined her son, Steve, and his wife, Carole, in Aspen, and resided at Castle Creek Terrace. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Aspen.
Winifred was proud to be a descendant of Francis Scott Key, author of 'The Star Spangled Banner,' and a descendant of the Spehr family of musical fame.
She is survived by sons Steve (Carole) Elliott of Aspen, and Dr. Paul Elliott of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren John and Elizabeth Elliott of Dallas, Texas; brothers Dr. Charles Key of Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Thomas Key of Newton, Miss.; and sister Cecilia Dunkin of Walnut Creek, Calif. She was preceded in death by her son Andrew Elliott and her brother Dr. Harold Key.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Aspen on Friday, Aug. 5, at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch in the fellowship hall.
Billy Wesley Hudspeth
May 26, 2005
Billy Wesley Hudspeth died May 12 in Gore, Okla. He was 71 years old.
Billy was born March 16, 1934, in Oklahoma City. He lived most of his life in Colorado.
For 30 years, Billy operated heavy equipment for Stutsman Gerbaz Earthmoving. During that time he lived in the Basalt area and made many friends in Aspen, Basalt and the surrounding area. He enjoyed hunting and especially fishing, and his favorite fishing spot was Lake Powell.
The most important people in Billy's life were his family. He was very close to his brothers and sisters, his daughters and his grandchildren. He was very proud of his grandkids' accomplishments, and his youngest grandson, Westley, especially brought him joy in the past few years as his health continued to deteriorate. Loved by many and with a heart full of love, Billy was always willing to help others. His presence in this world was a blessing and he will be missed.
Billy is survived by three daughters, Tamera Stahly, Mary Hicks and Billie Jo Hudspeth; and five grandchildren, Robert Stahly, Andrew Stahly, Abigail Hicks, Christopher Watson and Westley Hudspeth. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers Mary Lou Jacobs, Doris Larsen, Fern Sullivan, Cecil Hudspeth and George Hudspeth.
A memorial service to celebrate Billy's life is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Basalt Community United Methodist Church, 0167 Holland Hills Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.
Jan L. Tucker
July 27, 2005
Jan L. Tucker of Grants Pass, Ore., died on Friday, July 15 at Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass. He was 68 years old.
Jan was born January 16, 1937, in Tulia, Texas. From 1960 to 1987 he lived in the Roaring Fork Valley and worked at Aspen Valley Hospital as a lab technician. He and his former wife also owned and operated the Old Snowmass store and post office, and lived in Old Snowmass until 1974. He then opened the first medical clinic in Basalt.
In 1987, after selling the medical clinic, Jan moved from Colorado to southern Washington where he worked for Peace Health - St. John's Hospital. In 2001, he moved from Winlock, Wash. to Grants Pass, Oregon.
Jan enjoyed traveling to New Zealand, fly fishing, and daily visits with his great-grandsons.
Survivors include three daughters: Pam Waller (Mark) of Grants Pass, Ore., Kim Guthrie-Burch (Jeff) of Delta, and Cindy Tucker-Davis (Jet) of Glenwood Springs; two sisters: Ludene Grush and Jeanette Poole, both of Canyon, Texas; two brothers: Val Tucker of Shreveport, La. and Tem Tucker of Amarillo, Texas; grandson Levi Van Pelt of Grants Pass, Ore.; granddaughter Allie Jan Guthrie of Delta; and two great-grandsons: L.D. Van Pelt and Carter Van Pelt, both of Grants Pass, Ore.
Private services are planned. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors of Grants Pass is in charge of arrangements.
Cynthia Anne Simpson
March 5, 2005
Cynthia Anne Simpson, 69, lost her courageous battle with cancer on Feb. 22. Cindy and her surviving husband, Dick, were longtime residents of Wichita, Kan., before moving to Redstone in 2001.
Cindy was born on April 15, 1935, in What Cheer, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Lois Draegert. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother David.
Cindy and Dick graduated from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, where they met during New Student Days on a rooftop. They were married on Aug. 11, 1956, and have three surviving sons: David, currently living in Bondorf, Germany; John, in Encinitas, Calif.; and Mark, now living in Glenwood Springs.
After earning her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas in 1981, Cindy expressed her commitment to people throughout her dedicated career as a psychologist. In Redstone, she found her spiritual home, continuing her lifetime love of music, nature, gardening, hiking and the outdoors. She has also traveled extensively throughout the continents of the world.
Cindy and her husband shared their interests and affection for Redstone with friends and guests of their Hundred Acre Wood Bed & Breakfast. She has requested that there be a memorial celebration of life, and it will be held Saturday, March 12, at 3 p.m. at the Marble Community Church, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, she asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Redstone Art Foundation/Cindy Simpson Memorial, PO Box 1485, Carbondale, CO 81623, for the benefit of the community of Redstone. Her strength and perseverance will be remembered by family, friends and community.
David Ziemer
August 8, 2005
David Ziemer, of Aspen, has died. He was 62.
Before coming to Aspen, he lived in Boulder, where he graduated from the University of Colorado.
The son of Dare and Billie Ziemer, he was married to Sandy Ziemer. He was the brother of Vic (Lisa) Ziemer, of Colorado Springs, and uncle of Clayton, Amanda, Rachel and Emily.
Graveside services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Castle Rock. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the Seventh Day Adventist Church Children's Ministries, 7400 S. Windermere, Littleton, CO 80120.
Janet Elder
August 15, 2005
Janet F. C. Ryan Elder of Aspen and Grand Rapids, Mich., died Aug. 9. She was 68 years old.
Janet moved to Aspen from the Midwest in 1965 with the idea of being a ski bum. She married Nels R. Elder, a Swede and formerly a sergeant in the U.S Army. Her love for the outdoors was evident from all the activities she participated in up to within days of her passing away. She loved skiing, rollerblading, paragliding and being in the clear waters of Higgins Lake in Michigan.
Her greater love, however, was for Jesus Christ. She was never ashamed to let others know how the Lord changed her life and gave her the peace and happiness she was searching for in her younger years.
Nels preceded her in death. Surviving are her three children: Robert (Diane) Ryan of Aspen, Bruce (Angela) Elder of Grand Rapids, and Julie (Bruce) Blalock of Caledonia, Mich.; six grandchildren: Gunnar, Hannah and Rachel Elder, and Ingrid, Brevin and Svea Blalock; two brothers: Blair (Jean) Cook and John (Janice) Cook; sister Shirley (Jerry) Southland and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Aspen and will be officiated by Pastor Steve Woodrow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Holland Home, 2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 303, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-5783.
