FRANK M. OLMSTEAD, 81, of Cimarron died Wednesday in Walsenburg, Colo., at the Colorado State Veterans Retirement Home after a long struggle with thyroid cancer.
He graduated from high school in Maxwell and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps where he served in England until 1944 when he was transferred to the infantry for the Battle of the Bulge. He served in the occupation forces in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1946 from the U.S. Army. He attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. He was elected mayor of Las Vegas, N.M., in 1962 and served until 1966 when he moved to Albuquerque and continued his CPA practice. In 1970, he was elected New Mexico State Auditor and served for four years. In 1974, he returned to his CPA practice and was an active public accountant until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Walter, William and Edwin Olmstead; sisters, Stella Adams, Helen Catallo and Edna Easter.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Audrey Kern and children, Stephen F. Olmstead, Sandra K. Olmstead, Jennifer A. Olmstead and Jacqueline L. Coombes; seven grandchildren; sister, Eva DeLeon; and many other relatives.
Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. today at the Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Dated: February 3, 2004
T.G. McCarthy Funeral Homes, (719) 543-5611.
OCTAVIANO ROMERO, 80, of Questa died Saturday.
He was a veteran of World War II, member of the Cerro VFW, member of Mt. Zion Tabernacle in Taos and El Buen Pastor Church in Questa.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nepomosena Romero; and son, Ernest Romero.
He is survived by his children, Joe Romero, Berlinda Hernandez and husband Catalino, all of Grants, Rudy Romero and wife Betty of Albuquerque, Geri Santistevan and husband John, Lucy Rael and husband Sito, and Tina Romero, all of Denver, Manuel Romero and wife Joyce of Cerro, Elmer Romero and wife Debbie of Las Vegas, N.M., Rose Romero and Virginia Valencia and husband Merlin, Frank Romero and wife Grace, and Tammy Romero, all of Taos; sisters, Alice Roybal and husband Joe of Denver, Adelia Ortega of Questa and Ophelia Martinez of Utah; brother, Isaac Gold and wife Cecilia of Denver; 24 grandchildren and many other relatives.
A service will be held at 7 p.m. today at El Buen Pastor in Questa. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the same church with burial to follow at El Pueblito Cemetery.
Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home, (505) 758-3841.
Dated: February 3, 2004
JAMIE "JAMES" VIGIL, 40, of Peņasco died Saturday.
He belonged to Local Laborers Union No. 16. He loved to be outdoors and riding his bicycle with his children. He enjoyed being with friends. He took great pride in taking care of his 1972 Monte Carlo which he restored. He always wore sunglasses.
He is survived by his companion, Freida Salazar and her children, Pablo Sisneros and Rhiannon Salazar, all of Ranchos de Taos; father, Eddie Vigil and companion Irene Rodriguez of Chamita; mother, Theresa Vigil of Peņasco; sisters, Brenda Casias of Santa Fe, Geraldine Vigil and Leonard Coriz, both of Espaņola; and many other relatives and friends.
Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today at the San Jose de Gracias Catholic Church in Trampas with burial to follow at the Community Cemetery in Trampas.
DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espaņola Valley, (505) 747-7477.
Dated: February 3, 2004
ROSENDITA "ROSE" ABEYTA died peacefully at her Canyon Road home where she was born on Nov. 6, 1917.
Having sold Avon for 46 years, she was well known in the community. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Third Order of the Catholic Carmelites.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eutimio Abeyta; Tio Juan Bautista Rodriguez; grandfather, David Rodriguez; granddaughter, Adi Shakti Abeyta; and many other loved ones.
She is survived by her son, Joseph and wife Marcie; Chris Abeyta; son, Robert and wife Patsy; son, Ted and wife Martha; daughter, Adrienne; brother, Jerry and wife Denny; brother, Tom and family; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Cristo Rey Catholic Church in Santa Fe. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the same church with burial to follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Block-Salazar Mortuary.
Dated: October 18, 2003
JOE A. BRANCH SR., 82, of Chamita, died Thursday following a lengthy illness. He retired from Rio Arriba County after many years of service.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rafaelita Branch; parents, Manuel and Mercedes Branch; brothers, Isidoro, Alfonso, Milner, Jake, Ralph, Luis and Ferran Branch; sisters, Amada Velasquez-Jacquez and Annie Salazar.
He is survived by his children, Joe Branch Jr. and wife Connie of Chamita, and Randy Branch of Espaņola; stepdaughter, Mary Ellen Ortega and husband Ernest; companion of 19 years, Margaret Herrera of Chamita; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. today at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in San Juan with burial to follow at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Santa Cruz.
DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espaņola Valley.
Dated: October 18, 2003
RICHARD GALLEGOS, of Santa Fe, died Friday.
He was preceded in death by his father, Elfido Gallegos; and sister, Alice Quintana.
He was the owner of Gallegos and Sons Auto Repair Shop, was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church and a longtime member of the VFW and F.O.P.
He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Nancy Gallegos; daughters, Diana Valdez, Kathy and husband Wilbert Holmes, Corrine Pacheco and husband Presley Schmitt, Sandra Gallegos, and Emily Gallegos; sons, Rick Gallegos, Jeff and wife Annette Gallegos; mother, Dora Gallegos; brothers, Gilbert Gallegos, David and wife Alice Gallegos, Rudy and wife Imelda Gallegos, Billy and wife Margie Gallegos, Abie and wife Clarabelle Gallegos; sisters, Helen Gallegos, Lupe and husband Joe Benavidez; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Berardinelli Family Funeral Service.
Dated: October 18, 2003
PORFIRIO ROMERO, 86, of Las Vegas, N.M., raised in Buena Vista and a resident of Denver for several years, died Thursday at Northeastern Regional Hospital following an extended illness. He was born in Las Vegas, N.M., on March 12, 1917, to the late Palemon Romero and Agapita Garcia Romero. He was united in marriage on Aug. 6, 1946, in Denver to Adela Tafoya. He retired from the Storrie Project Water Association, where he was employed as a ditch rider for seven years. He also worked with Dr. J.C. Shaw and was partners in a meat market and horse trading business. He was a former member of the San Miguel County sheriff's posse. He did horse training at the Floyd M. Stables in Denver, training five gated horses, including trotters, jumpers and racing horses. He braided whips, head stalls and ropes. A lifelong Catholic, he was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Palemon and Agapita Romero; brothers, Arturo Romero and Benito Romero; daughter, Mary Louise Romero; grandson, Delfinio Romero.
He is survived by his loving wife, Adela Romero of the family home in Las Vegas, N.M.; daughters and sons, Mary Ann Romero and husband Henry, Jean Velasquez, Sonny Romero and wife Mary Ann and Benny Romero and wife Elaine, all of Las Vegas, N.M.; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brother, Freddie Garcia of Albuquerque; sister-in-law, Inez Romero of Denver; and many other relatives and friends.
Rosary devotional services will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Cremation will follow. Interment of cremains will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the San Jose Cemetery. He will lie in state at the Rogers Chapel on Sunday all day.
Rogers Mortuary.
Dated: October 18, 2003
