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Corene M. Stowers
Corene M. Stowers died Friday, April 29, 2005, at Lutheran Medical Hospital in Wheat Ridge. She was 90.
Mrs. Stowers was born Nov. 4, 1914, in Pagosa Springs. She was a resident of Durango for 60 years.
Mrs. Stowers' family came to Colorado when Colorado was still a territory. She loved to tell the story of the farm house where they lived. It was built on the state line when Colorado became a state. They would have breakfast in New Mexico and sleep in Colorado.
Mrs. Stowers was a seamstress. She was very active as a young woman in her church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil E. Stowers.
She is survived by three children, Celeste Candelaria, Dorene Oliver and Mickey Stowers; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Sofia Esch of Canon City, Pricillia Martinez of Albuquerque, N.M., and Jane Lavarta of San Francisco; brothers, Dr. Ted Lavarta and Dr. Ralph Lavarta, both of Durango; and many nephews and nieces.
Those making memorial contributions are encouraged to support Adopt a Student Foundation at St. Columba Church.
Harold Anthony DeVincentis
Harold Anthony DeVincentis died Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. He was 91.
Mr. DeVincentis was born Feb. 17, 1914, in Wilkes Barre, Pa.
He was the valedictorian of his 1937 graduating class at Pennsylvania State University. He worked as a research metallurgist for GTE/Sylvania in Long Island, N.Y., and Danvers, Mass., retiring in 1979 after 35 years in engineering research and development.
Mr. DeVincentis and his wife, Irene, were married for 66 years.
He is survived by his wife, Irene, of Farmington; daughter Judy Morgan of Durango; sons Jim DeVincentis of Farmington and Robert DeVincentis of Dana Point, Calif.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Mr. DeVincentis' life will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at 4702 Pacific in Farmington. Friends are welcome.
Avalena Paul
Avalena Paul died Friday, April 29, 2005, at her home in Ignacio. She was 53.
Mrs. Paul was born Aug. 16, 1951, in Durango to Domingo and Ophillia Padillia Paul.
She is survived by her children, Isreal Contreras of Durango and Jimmy Paul, Deadra Contreras, Bernadine Cuthair, Maria Cuthair and Delbert Cuthair Jr., all of Ignacio; five brothers and three sisters; and 20 grandchildren.
The funeral has been postponed indefinitely.
Paul H. Kuepper
Paul H. Kuepper died Saturday, April 30, 2005, in Durango. He was 100.
Mr. Kuepper was born on Sept. 28, 1904, in Essen, Germany. He married Ella Wittenberg in November 1928 in Germany. Mr. Kuepper and his family immigrated to America in 1951.
His wife, Ella died in 1968 of cancer. Mr. Kuepper then married Regina Anna Kirschner. She died in 2001.
Mr. Kuepper was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he held many positions and stayed faithful.
He is survived by a daughter, Ingrid; a son, Rolf; a stepdaughter, Helga; a brother, John H. Kuepper; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Sunshine Gardens and the Hilger family.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road in the Salt Lake City-area.
Leon Daniel 'L.D.' Seitz
Leon Daniel "L.D." Seitz died at his home in Cortez on Friday, April 29, 2005. He was 79.
Mr. Seitz was born Aug. 31, 1925, in Cortez, the son of Ralph Waldo and Mattie Lee (Odom) Seitz.
Born and raised in the Cortez area, Mr. Seitz left to pursue work. He was able to return to the area several years ago. He worked as a lineman with several electric organizations.
After his retirement, he operated a security business, which he truly enjoyed.
His nature made him a true Western character. He loved the Old West and had a fascination with guns. His nature held a true stubbornness, and this turned out to be a real asset as he fought against the illness that he had. "You just couldn't get him down,"said his family.
Survivors include his children, Ralph "Rex" Seitz of the Carolinas; Dawna Lynn Warr of Yarrington, Nev.; Sarah "Denise" Barnes of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Karen Lee Black of North Las Vegas, Nev.; 17 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, cousins and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dova Cleo (Hart) Seitz; and a son, Leon David Seitz, in 1999.
Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. today at the Ertel Memorial Chapel in Cortez. A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Cortez Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, County Road M Chapel. Interment will follow at the Goodman Point Cemetery.
Rick B. Martinez
Rick B. Martinez died Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. He was 39. The cause of death was cancer.
Mr. Martinez was born April 16, 1966, in Ogden, Utah, the son of Ross and Priscilla Martinez. Mr. Martinez was very active in sports in junior high and high school. He participated in wrestling, track and field, and football. He graduated from Durango High School in 1984, and he worked for City Market for many years. His preferred hobby and job was in the building and construction field. He also enjoyed hunting and the outdoors.
Mr. Martinez is survived by his father, Ross Martinez, and mother, Priscilla Martinez, both of Durango; a son, Sammy Martinez of Durango; a daughter, Heather Martinez of Denver; one brother, Ross Martinez Jr. of Bayfield; and two sisters, Deanne Martinez of Grand Junction and Raven Archuleta of Renton, Wash.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. today. The Rev. Joseph L. Gallegos of Sacred Heart Catholic Church will officiate. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Mary Armstrong
Mary Armstrong of Tucson, Ariz., died on Sunday, April 24, 2005. She was 81.
Mrs. Armstrong, originally of Winnetka, Ill., attended Roycemore and New Trier Township high schools, and was a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
She was a comptroller for the John Hancock Insurance Co. in Glenview, Ill. She had a lifelong passion for travel, competitive golf and playing card games such as duplicate bridge.
Mrs. Armstrong was preceded in death by her husband, Mason G. Armstrong.
She is survived by her brother, George B. Everitt of Winnetka; her sons, Lyman W. Warfield of Tucson and George E. (Jo) Warfield of Durango; daughter Judith Mojadidi of Tucson; four grandchildren; one nephew; and five nieces.
There will be a memorial gathering of family and friends Saturday at the family home in north Tucson.
Linda Joyce Fasciani
Linda Joyce Fasciani died on Saturday, Feb, 26, 2005, in Littleton of complications from cancer. She was 49.
Mrs. Fasciani was born on Sept. 27, 1955. Her great grandfather, John T. Joyce, was the editor of the Silverton newspaper and a state senator from this area who won election in 1912. She graduated from Northglenn High School in 1973 and from Colorado State University in 1977.
Mrs. Fasciani was an inspiration to the many kindergarten children she taught at a private Christian school in Littleton. She will always be remembered for her incredible sense of humor and love of family.
Survivors include her husband of 25 years, John Fasciani; two children, Gina and Daniel; parents, Pat Dodson and Don Joyce; sisters, Sondra Joyce and Wendy Fenton, both of Durango; siblings Kelly Wilson and Brian, Alan and Scott Joyce of Denver; eight nieces and nephews, and numerous extended family.
Contributions in her honor may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life by calling Sondra Joyce at 749-6120.
David Paul Joyce
David Paul Joyce of Aurora was killed instantly in a car accident near Windy Point on U.S. Highway 285 on Thursday, March 24, 2005. He was 54.
Mr. Joyce was born on Jan. 24, 1951. He graduated from Northglenn High School in 1969 and from the University of Colorado Law School in 1979.
Mr. Joyce was a high-profile public defender in Denver for many years and then continued an active private practice while battling multiple sclerosis. Fellow lawyers commented on how caring he was to his clients, offering not only legal assistance, but often his servicespro bono.He was interested in the overall healthy outcome of his clients' lives, not just what happened in court. He was deeply affected by the death of his sister, Linda Joyce Fasciani (see obituary above).
Mr. Joyce was an all-state baseball and basketball player in high school. He was passionate about football, golf and family.
Survivors include by his wife, Kristine McWilliams; his son, Tyler; parents Pat Dodson and Don Joyce; brothers Brian, Alan and Scott Joyce; sisters, Sondra Joyce, Wendy Fenton and Kelly Wilson; and eight nieces and nephews.
A service was held March 30 at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Denver.
Contributions may be made in his honor to the Southwest Colorado Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 2717, Durango CO 81302.
Robert Alfred Adler
Robert Alfred Adler, a former resident of Cortez, died Sunday, April 24, 2005, at the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home in Walsenburg. He was 91.
Mr. Adler was born Sept. 23, 1913, in Somerville, Mass. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and retired from the federal government. He lived in Colorado Springs from 1956 to 1971.
Survivors include two daughters, Patricia A. Chamberlain and Paula K. Fraser; and two sons, Robert K. Adler and Gregory S. Adler.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Swan-Law Funeral Directors in Colorado Springs. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Eastonville Cemetery in Black Forest.
Dorothy Jeanette Breusing
Dorothy Jeanette Breusing, a resident of Durango, died Saturday, April 23, 2005, at the Sunshine Gardens Country Home on Colorado Highway 172. Mrs. Breusing was two weeks short of her 95th birthday.
Mrs. Breusing was born on May 7, 1910, in Altadena, Calif., to William John and Susan Nullora (Shifflet) Shleppy. She had two long marriages - first to Burton Edward Kraschel on April 7, 1931, and second to Carter H. Breusing on March 17, 1962. She was widowed twice, only the first marriage produced a child, Shirley Darlene Kraschel.
Her family moved to Delano in California's San Joaquin Valley in 1915. After her first marriage, she and her husband moved in succession to Las Vegas in 1934 and Bakersfield, Calif., in 1936. Mrs. Breusing moved to Durango several years after the death of her second husband and lived, initially, in Waterfall Village in the Animas Valley.
After a stroke and two bouts with pneumonia, Mrs. Breusing moved in 1999 into Sunshine Gardens West in Durango. Further deterioration in her health resulted in her move to the Sunshine Gardens Country Home in March 2005.
Mrs. Breusing is survived by her daughter, Shirley D. McInnis of Durango; one granddaughter; one grandson; four great-grandchildren; one nephew; three nieces and a number of grandnieces and grandnephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the Library Building Fund, in care of the Friends of the Durango Public Library, 1188 East Second Ave., Durango CO 81301.
Randi Raquel Reed
Randi Raquel Reed died at her home on Sunday, April 24, 2005, at the age of 29 after a battle with cancer.
Mrs. Reed was born in Cortez on March 3, 1976, the daughter of Brad and Mindy Jean (Hargrove) Reed.
She was a member of the Cortez Women's Golf Association, Rocky Mountain Ringers Horseshoe Club and American Legion Dart Club. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Cortez Elks Lodge.
An active young woman, Mrs. Reed enjoyed playing softball, golfing, bowling and throwing darts and horseshoes. Her two children were most important to her. She was known for her love of fun.
Survivors include her husband, David Pierce, of Cortez; her children, Ryatt Lane Pierce and Regan Raquel Pierce also of Cortez; her mother and stepfather, Mindy and Jim Rosenbaugh of Cortez; and her father and stepmother, Brad and Dawn Reed of Cortez; two brothers, Channing Tanner Sparks of Durango and Boe Garon Reed of Cortez; a sister, Fandon Mask of California; two stepsisters, Mary Miller of Glen Rock, Wyo., and Kodi Ward of Cortez; and a stepbrother, Kenny Ward of Rock Springs, Wyo.
Visitation is 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Cortez Elks Lodge No. 1789. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Randi Reed Benefits Account with the Dolores State Bank.
Jeanne Marion Lund Willetto
Jeanne Marion Lund Willetto, a longtime resident of Durango, died April 11, 2005, at the Hospice of Boulder and Broomfield Counties in Louisville. She was 74.
Mrs. Willetto was born May 18, 1930, in Viborg, S.D., the eldest child of Arne E. and Abbie S. Lund.
She graduated from Newell High School in Newell, S.D. She graduated from South Dakota State University in 1952 with a degree in fashion merchandising and textiles.
After working for a department store in Minneapolis, Mrs. Willetto traveled to Colorado with the intention of circling the state in search of a place to settle.
She got as far as Steamboat Springs, where she took a job as a cook at Lowell Whiteman's boys ranch.
There she met and married longtime wrangler Tom Willetto on March 28, 1959. She also started teaching home economics at Steamboat Springs High School.
Later the same year, the couple moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where their four children were born from 1960 to 1965.
The family moved to Durango in 1970, where it maintained a home until June 2004.
In 1974, the couple moved to Rough Rock, Ariz., on the Navajo Reservation. She taught home economics and journalism in high school.
After Mrs. Willetto retired in 1984, the family returned to Durango, where she was active in the American Association of University Women and the Durango Bird Club.
She had taken up bird watching in earnest in Arizona and became very proficient.
She was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. She enjoyed birding, her friends and the view of the mountains.
Mrs. Willetto is survived by her husband and children Thomas Willetto II and Arne Willetto, both of Erie, Carla Willetto of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Abbie Wolfe of Anchorage, Alaska.
A celebration of life is scheduled for this summer.
The family requests that donations be made in Mrs. Willetto's name to to the AAUW or the Sierra Club.
