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Dr. Patty Ammon
October 10, 1956 – September 16, 2012
Dr. Patty Ammon passed away gently at her home on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. She leaves behind a hole in the heart of the community, but also a legacy of healing, compassion, and strength in the face of adversity.
Patricia Ammon was born October 10, 1956, in Florence, Kentucky to Robert and Margie Ammon, following siblings Tom and Linda. After gaining her nursing degree, she worked in St. John’s Hospital in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There, fellow nurse Dale Yocum was quick to recognize the gem that she was, and did not give up until she agreed to marry him in 1982.
Patty knew that her calling went beyond nursing, and so returned to her home state to earn a medical degree from the University of Kentucky. After completing her residency at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction in the late 1980s, she practiced in both Telluride and Montrose before taking on and expanding Ouray County's only medical facility. Initially in the old Idarado clinic building, the Ouray Clinic became St. Mary's Clinic in Ridgway and ultimately the current Mountain Medical Center.
During this time, Patty received her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Rather than slow her down, it instead fueled her passion to gain a deeper understanding of healing practices beyond traditional western medicine. Patty came to believe that both the spirit and body work together for physical health. To this end, she pursued studies in Ayurvedic medicine, which led to her integrated treatment approaches. A brilliant student, she was one of the first people to complete a fellowship in the Andrew Weil’s Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Arizona. Patty then anchored a group of providers that have nourished Ridgway's integrative medicine services in the community today.
Patty always gave her best to her patients and there was never a clock ticking when she was with them. While she inspired the best in them, she also felt as though she gained strength and perseverance in return.
Patty considered her life to be full of miracles, not the least of which was that her own health could be maintained through her sense of spirit-mind integration. However, she felt that her greatest miracles were her two adopted sons, Ryan (14) and Ian (12). She was - first and foremost - a dedicated and inspirational mother. While the void in her sons’ lives can never be filled by her loss, the infinite love that she gave was enough to last throughout their lifetimes.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 21, at 1:00 in Ridgway’s Hartwell Park. (Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.) A potluck will follow at the Yocum Home at 250 S. Laura St. in Ridgway. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Patty Ammon Fund established at the Alpine Bank in Ridgway, to be used for a project in a medically underserved area.
Sylvester H. Schoening
Apr. 1, 1930 ~ August 29, 2012
Sylvester H. Schoening, known by many as “Father Syl”, age 82, of Norwood, Colorado, died August 29, 2012 at “The Hermitage”, his Norwood home of 20 years. Schoening was born April 1, 1930 to Sylvester Joseph Schoening and Clara Catherine Herrmann in Evansville, Indiana.
Schoening attended elementary school at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Evansville and High School at Saint Meinrad Preparatory High School, Saint Meinrad, Indiana. He attended Saint Meinrad College, where he earned a B.A. in liberal arts. He later attended University of Innsbruck in Tyrol, Austria from 1952 to 1956, and earned his Master’s Degree (STL) from University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1957.
Schoening was ordained as a Catholic Priest on Aug. 6, 1958. From 1958 through 1967 he served in several at parish assignments and taught high school in the Evansville area. In 1967, he transferred to the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado, and was named pastor at the Telluride Catholic Church, Saint Patrick’s, in 1969, where he served 12 years, simultaneously serving as pastor at Our Ladies of Sorrows, Nucla.
From 1981 to 1983 he served as pastor in Cortez, Saint Margaret Mary Parish CO as well as in Dove Creek, Saint Jude. In 1983, he was given a one year sabbatical after 25 years as a priest, which he spent supervising the building of his home, the Hermitage, outside of Norwood, CO.
From 1985 – 1991 he served as pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Paonia, as well as Saint Margaret Mary in Hotchkiss. In 1992 he retired to his home at the Hermitage, where he lived with his family of wolf hybrid dogs, and continued to celebrate Sunday Mass at the Hermitage until his death.
In addition to his commitment as a Christian to the Catholic faith, he had a passion for the mountains and wilderness, particularly the San Juan and San Miguel mountains, wildlife, particularly wolves, and railroads. The kind help of many people made possibly days of peace, tranquility, and beauty for Schoening at his Hermitage home.
Schoening will be buried at the Hermitage, which through a conservation easement will continue as a sanctuary for nature and wildlife. Funeral arrangements are being made by Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, Colorado. A burial service, presided by Father Jesse Perez of Leadville, and reception will be held Tuesday, September 4th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Hermitage (1250 Mountain View Lane., Norwood, Colorado). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hermitage Fund (c/o the Telluride Foundation, PO Box 4222, Telluride, CO 81435).Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.
Roger E. Henn
Roger E. Henn, age 95, of Montrose, and lifetime resident of Ouray, Colorado passed away Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 at Sunrise Creek Assisted Living in Montrose. At Roger’s request, cremation has taken place and A Memorial Service in celebration of Roger’s life will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Wright Opera House, in memory of Roger Henn, c/o Jim Opdahl, P.O. Box 17, Ouray, Co. 81427. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.
James “Jeff” Jeffrey, M.D.
June 6, 1926 ~ December 22, 2012
A quiet and gentle man of dignity and grace, a man who loved his profession, Dr. James S. Jeffrey, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2012, at Brewster Village in Appleton, Wisconsin after a beautiful giving life and an eight-year journey with Alzheimer's Disease.
His demeanor was modest and never overbearing, and his moral consistency, concern and care for his patients and whoever he touched in life could never be denied. Dr. Jeff always wore a smile and took the time to listen. He believed listening was an integral part of healing.
Dr. Jeff was born in Huntley, Nebraska on June 6, 1926 to Robert A. and Hazel (Loesch) Jeffrey. The son of a Methodist minister, Jeffrey grew up during the Depression on the edge of the dust bowl. He attended high school in Gretna, Nebraska and upon graduation in 1944 joined the US Navy. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1946 he entered the Nebraska College of Arts & Sciences at Lincoln and received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska in Omaha in 1954. He interned at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee until taking over retiring Dr. Flanagan's medical practice in Kaukauna in 1955, the year of the polio epidemic. In less than a year he was asked to join Drs. Geo. L. Boyd and George A. Behnke in practice at the Kaukauna Clinic, where he remained until his retirement in 1994.
Obstetrics was Dr. Jeff's favorite part of his practice. "I liked delivering babies the best", he said, "I never lost that sense of wonder or mystique that goes with the birth of a child".
He was a Founding Father and Member of the American Academy of Family Practice, served on various boards and committees at Kaukauna Community, St. Elizabeth, AMC hospitals and the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters. Along with serving on the Round House Manor Board in Kaukauna, he was a past Grand Knight of Kaukauna Council No.1033 Knights of Columbus, a member of the American Legion past president and a member of Kaukauna Lions.
Besides being involved with his local church community he was very active in the Green Bay Diocesan Cursillo Movement, Marriage Encounter Weekends and Marriage Preparation Courses. After retiring to Ouray, Colorado in 1994 he served as a caring minister in the Stephen Ministry, and volunteered in the Kairos Prison Ministry at the Delta Correctional Prison at Delta, Colorado. He was an Ouray County Performing Arts Board Member, and was instrumental in forming the Lions Club of Ouray and AARP in Ouray County.
He married Shirley Iggulden on July 11, 1950, and they had six children. She preceded Jeff in death in 1970. He married LaVerne Van Dyke in Kaukauna on September 18, 1971. She preceded Jeff in death in 2011.
He is survived by his children: Patricia (James) Hebert of Waldorf, Maryland; Kathryn Pettys of Great Mills, Maryland; Julie (Paul) Moderson of Kaukauna; adopted step-son Mark (Van Dyke) Jeffrey (Deborah) of Larwill, Indiana; Christopher Jeffrey of Standardsville, Virginia; and a son-in-law: Gregory Huber of Prescott, Arizona.
His grandchildren are: Clifton, Amanda, Charles, and Kathryn Hebert; Elizabeth and Kristina Pettys; Mark (Hannah) Moderson, Greg (Naomi) Moderson, Kurt and Jill Moderson; Zachary, Samantha and Andrea Huber; and two step-grandchildren: Michael and Kristen Jeffrey. His great-grandchildren are Lily and Tyler Moderson (Mark), and Nathaniel and Thaddeus Moderson (Greg).
Dr. Jeffrey was preceded in death by his parents, a son James, a daughter Amy Huber, brothers Robert (Peggy) Jeffrey of San Rafael, California and Marion Jeffrey of Omaha, Nebraska.
The funeral liturgy for Dr. Jeffrey will be held on Friday December 28, 2012, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish - St. Mary Church, 119 W. 7th Street, Kaukauna, with Fr. Jerry Pastors and Fr. Bob Lexa co-officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives at the Fargo Funeral Home, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue in Kaukauna on Thursday, December 27, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and again at the church on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for St. Paul Elder Service.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers and friends who have cared, helped, prayed and loved us through these past years, and no words can convey how very much we appreciate the care and love given by the staff at Brewster Village to our dear Dr. Jeff.
Josephine Calhoon
September 10, 1927 ~ December 25, 2012
Josephine Calhoon, age 85, Lifetime Ouray resident, went to be with her Lord on Dec. 25, 2012 at Sunrise Creek Assisted Living in Montrose, Co. Josephine was born Sept. 10, 1927 to Joe and Mary (Tell) Ficco in Ouray. She spent her childhood in Ouray and graduated from Ouray High School in 1945. Josephine married David Andrews Calhoon on Apr. 6, 1950 in Ouray, and they were members of St. Daniel’s Catholic Church in Ouray. She worked seven years at the Ouray Post Office, and prior to her retirement, Josephine worked as an Officer at the Citizen’s State Bank in Ouray for 25 years. She enjoyed her work, but also enjoyed her family, and her grandchildren were very special to her. Josephine also enjoyed the mountains and the outdoors; gardening and her flowers.
Surviving family members include her husband, David of the family home in Ouray; son Joseph A. (Claudia) Calhoon; two brothers Art (Virginia) Ficco, Alvin (Louise) Ficco, all of Ouray, CO; grandson Aaron (Mary T.) Calhoon of Reno, NV., Granddaughter Andrea (Ernesto) Meruelo of San Diego, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Tom Fellin, sister Vera Smith, and granddaughter Tamara Calhoon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliaitve Care of Western Colorado, in memory of Josephine Calhoon, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, Co. 81402 A Rosary will be recited on Friday, Dec. 28th at 7:30 P.M. at St. Daniel’s Catholic Church in Ouray. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 at 11:00a.m. at St. Daniel’s. The service will conclude at the Church. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ouray, Co. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.
Clyde Sherman Williams
February 8, 1940 ~ April 22, 2013
Former Ridgway Marshal Clyde Sherman Williams passed peacefully in his home in Montrose, Colorado on Monday, April 22, 2013 surrounded by his loving family and cats.
Sherm was born in Ouray, Colorado on Feb 8, 1940 to Sherman and Eva Williams. He spent time in Ouray as a child and moved to Bisbee, Arizona in his early teens. Sherm loved Arizona; and often told stories of going arrowhead hunting with his mother and his time boxing and training with at-risk kids.
Sherm started his career in law enforcement in California, and returned to Colorado in the 1970's where he found his calling as a police officer in Montrose. Sherm ended his police career in Ridgway after more than a decade with the Marshal’s Office. His community service conitnued through his retirement, which he spent working at the Brown Center in Montrose, working with the young men and inspiring them to walk the line.
Sherm enjoyed time working on his ranch property in Montrose, riding his Gold Wing with the Blue Knights, rescuing animals and playing his guitar.
Sherm is survived by his wife Susan Rahn, former wife and good friend Debra (Jeff) Ford, his children Mary (Randy) Melton, Ann Williams, Joel (Shelia) Williams, Teresa McFarland, Stanley (Katharina) Williams, Jamie (Mike) Freyman, and stepchildren Nathan (Shannon) Rahn, Katie (Tim) Rupnow, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sherm was preceded in death by his mother and father.
At Sherm's request, a Celebration of Life will take place in Ridgway, Colorado on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 1 pm at the Ridgway Fire Hall.
Following the service, we hope that you will continue to celebrate Sherm with us at his favorite spot in the Ridgway, The True Grit. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to ANY animal shelter in his memory.
ALVIN JOSEPH FICCO
1932-2013
Death leaves a Heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a Memory no one can steal.
~ Author unknown
Alvin Joseph Ficco, 80, of Ouray, Colorado died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at home with family and friends.
He was born to the late Joseph and Mary Ficco on December 30, 1932 in Ouray, Colorado. Alvin graduated from Ouray High School in 1950. He entered the U.S. Army after graduation and was stationed in Germany from 1953 to 1955. He married Marjorie Louise Gunn on November 27, 1958 and they enjoyed 54 years together.
Alvin co-owned Rice Lumber Company in Ouray from 1956 to 1969 with his brother, Tom Fellin and sister-in-law, Sally Fellin. He then went into the construction business with his best friend, Norm Fedel. Together they ran Box Canon Construction from 1969 to 1994.
Alvin was involved in the VFW and acted as the Commander until it dissolved in 2012. He was also an active member of St. Daniel’s Catholic Church in Ouray. Alvin loved family, friends, building and constructing, gardening, golf and anything to do with chainsaws. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend. If you were lucky enough to know Alvin, then you were his friend.
Alvin is survived by his wife, Louise, and four sons and daughters-in-law, Dan and Krista Ficco, Dave and Lori Ficco and Art and Tina Ficco of Ouray, Colorado and Joe and Kim Ficco of Montrose, Colorado. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Art and Ginny Ficco of Ouray. He was blessed with 13 grandchildren ranging in age from 6 to 30.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the San Juan Cancer Center, 600 S. 5th Street, Montrose, CO 81401.
A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013 and funeral services will be held on Friday, May 3, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Daniel’s Catholic Church, Ouray.
Robert Louis Massard
September 10, 1925 - April 25, 2013
Robert Massard of Wellesley Hills, MA, passed peacefully surrounded by family on April 25, 2013 at age 87 of congestive heart failure. He was the son of the late Frank L. and Ruth E. Massard, and brother of the late Richard Massard, and grew up on 349 5th Street in Ouray, Colorado.
Bob’s father, Frank, was a partner in the Ouray Post Office Drug Store with Albert Schneider from 1920-1963. Frank was mayor of Ouray in the 1970’s. Ruth taught high school in town and served as Superintendent of Ouray Schools for several years. Fifty-three years ago, Ruth named the Annual Artists’ Alpine Holiday, an annual art show held each summer, one of the oldest in Colorado.
In 1943, Bob enlisted in the US Navy V-12 Officer’s Training Program and graduated in 1945 from the University of Colorado with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After serving in the Pacific, he received a Masters Degree in Electronics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology working on the Whirlwind Computer project. There he met Ann Connor, and discovered a life-long sweetheart. Bob was one of the engineer-founders of Computer Control Company (3C) in 1953, and started Financial-Technical Assistance (Fin-Tech) in 1969, both located in Massachusetts. He had a great interest in genealogy, published many volumes with The New England Historic & Genealogical Society and served as a Trustee of the Society.
Bob and Ann travelled extensively in Europe and the Caribbean including family trips visiting ancestral homelands of Ireland and Switzerland.
Bob and family returned to Ouray nearly each year to visit with his late parents, Frank L. and Ruth E. Massard and his first cousin, Verena Jacobson.
He was the beloved husband of Ann Connor Massard for 63 years and father of Victoria McCormick (husband Stephen) of Shelburne Falls, MA; Pamela Tisch (husband David) of Cobleskill, NY; Gregg Massard (wife Valerie) of Sagamore Beach, MA and Wendy Hakken (husband Joel) of Ann Arbor, MI. Also survived by nine loving grandchildren: Erich (Alison), Emilie and Gretchen Tisch, Matt and Tim McCormick, Andrew and Julia Massard, Dillon and Darby Hakken.
Adeline “Addie” Racioppi Bonatti
January 6, 1919 ~ April 25, 2013
Addie Bonatti, age 94, of Ouray, Colorado passed away April 25, 2013, surrounded by family at her daughters home in Montrose. Born in Medford, Masschusetts, she was a business woman in Ouray for many years, first owning the Pick Café and Bar and then the Ore Gift Shop. Addie contributed much to her Ouray Community for over 60 years. She was a member of St. Daniel’s Catholic Church, and also member of Rebecca lodge in Ouray.
Addie is preceded in death by her husband Rudy Bonatti, grandson Joey Giannetto. ...she leaves behind her daughter Chris, son Joe Giannetto; one daughter in law Erin Giannetto; granddaughters Talia Bonatti, Montrose, Amanda Giannetto, South Carolina; grandson, John Giannetto, South Carolina; two great-grandchildren Rudy Bonatti, Montrose and Janessa Giannetto, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Dolphin House, in memory of Addie Bonatti, 236 S. 3rd Street, Suite 311, Montrose, Co. 81401or St. Daniel’s Catholic Church in memory of Addie Bonatti, P.O. Box 565, Ouray, Co. 81427. A Memorial Mass, in celebration of Addie’s life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Daniel’s Catholic Church. The family encourages condolences may be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com. The Service will conclude at the Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.
Dr. Cresencio Sarmiento
April 19, 1933 ~ May 20, 2013
Dr. Cresencio Sarmiento of Scottsdale, AZ passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013 after a long illness. He was born April 19, 1933 in San Juan, La Union, Philippines. Dr. Sarmiento was a graduate of North Central H.S. and Manila Central University where he obtained his medical degree. He emigrated to the United States in 1959 and interned at St. Joseph's Hospital, Yonkers, New York. He trained in Pathology at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre Pennsylvania and the Hudson River Psychiatric Center and the Psychiatric Institute, NYC. At Hudson River Psychiatric Institute Dr. Sarmiento directed the Children's Unit, a facility devoted to the treatment of autism and childhood schizophrenia. In 1974 Dr. Sarmiento became the Medical director of the Dutchess County Departmen of Mental Hygiene. retiring from this position in 1994 to relocate to Scottsdale, AZ where he joined the staff of Value Options. As a life member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Arizona Psychiatric Association he was licensed in New York, Arizona, Maine and the Philippines. He is survived by his wife, the former Ellen Sanford, his daughter, Cynthia Sarmiento and her partner Scott Goldman, his son Paul and Catherine Sarmiento and grandaughter, Marcina, his son Jason Sarmiento and his partner William Wallick. A private memorial service will be held June 5, 2013 at St. Patrick's Church, Scottsdale, AZ.
Mario Bart Zadra
Loved his life as a rancher
1916 — 2013
Mario Bart Zadra, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at his home in Montrose, after a long battle with COPD and CHF. He was born May 12, 1916 in a small brick house near Ridgway, the third of five children born to Italian immigrants Matteo Zadra and Ottilia Marinelli.
He was educated at the old Piedmont School near Ridgway, and around the age of 12, left home to help support his family by working at the Camp Bird Mine high above Ouray. Mario's job was to pack gold ore from the mine onto a string of mules and lead the animals over miles of treacherous terrain (including snow slides) to Ouray. He also helped out on the Zadra family ranch located between Ridgway and Ouray.
In his mid-teens, Mario started working for rancher Marie Scott. In time, he started his own cattle operation along with his brother, Victor Zadra, while continuing to work for Marie Scott.
Mario married Eda Terresa Tessitore on July 21, 1951. They were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Jan, several years later. Mario ventured out on his own, purchasing a ranch in Norwood in 1957 and moving his family from Ridgway to Norwood in 1964. In addition to ranching, he served two terms as county commissioner for Ouray County and 20 years on the Board of Directors for the San Miguel Power Assn. Later, he served on the San Miguel Planning Commission during the onset of development in the Telluride/Norwood area.
Mario's greatest pride and joy were his horses, Hereford cattle and his dogs. He was an accomplished horseman and shared a mutual respect with all his animals. He was one of the last ranchers to give up his team of horses.
Mario enjoyed the wide open spaces and took great pride in operating his ranch in pristine condition. He felt closest to God while riding his horse in the high mountain country he loved so much.
Mario is survived by his daughter, Jan (Jerry) Scharf of Montrose; sister, Victoria Hudson of Denver; and numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families.
The family would like to give special thanks and recognition to Mario's caregivers and the Hospice nurses. His dog, "Mike, " and kitty, "Spice, " were also an important part of his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eda Zadra; sisters, Anna Lucille Smith and Rosa Josephine Halls; and brother, Victor Zadra.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2013, at the Montrose Christian Church, 2351 Sunnyside Road, Montrose. Graveside services will follow at Valley Lawn Cemetery. A luncheon will be served after the graveside services in the fellowship hall at the church. Please join the family for a celebration of Mario's life.
Contributions, in memory of Mario Zadra, can be made to: Hardin Hospice, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 110, Grand Junction, CO 81506; or the Norwood Fire Department, attn.: Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 411, Norwood, CO 81423.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121
