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Lois Marie Zeida
Lois Marie Zeida, an Arboles resident, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, at her daughter's home in Arboles. She was 97.
Mrs. Zeida was born May 6, 1906, in Throckmorton, Texas, to Jess Wheeler and Mary Jane Key Wheeler.
Mrs. Zeida had lived in Arboles off and on since 1935.
She was an avid fisherman, and she often traveled with her husband to see friends all over the country. Mrs. Zeida also enjoyed spending time with her family.
"She noticed things that most people don't notice," said her daughter, Josephine Marie Fletcher. "She always found the best in people."
Mrs. Zeida was preceded in death by her first husband of many years, Earl Harris; her husband, Joe Zeida; a daughter, Arletta Moore; and a great-granddaughter, Danielle Nicholette Malouff.
She is survived by two daughters, Sybil Lee Malouff and Josephine Marie Fletcher, both of Arboles; and her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Mass was celebrated and a rosary was said at 6 p.m. Sunday at the St. Peter Santa Rosa Catholic Mission in Arboles. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. today at St. Peter Santa Rosa Catholic Mission. Burial will follow at the Allison-Tiffany Cemetery. The Rev. Jim Koenigsfeld will officiate.
Charles "Charlie" Richard Butler
Charles "Charlie" Richard Butler, 80, died on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004, at Valley View Health Care Center in Canon City. He died from complications due to pneumonia and traumatic brain injuries.
He was born March 26, 1923, to William Pascal and Emma Walker Butler in Mason City, Iowa, where he graduated from Mason City High School in 1941.
After one year of junior college in his hometown and one year at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, Mr. Butler enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He often reflected on the days before embarkation to England about the free USO shows in New York City.
He helped unload LCTs, Landing Craft Tanks, on Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion, and remained in Europe for several months supplying the troops. Then his ship transited the Panama Canal to Hawaii to prepare for the invasion of Japan. However, he ended his combat experience playing volleyball on the beach at Pearl Harbor.
Upon his discharge, he attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in geology.
After a short stint with the United States Geological Survey in Denver, Mr. Butler went to work for Duncan Mining near Moab, Utah, where he managed a mine and made many friends in the Navajo Nation. In 1958, he left Duncan Mining to become a consulting geologist in Durango and married Thelma Kathleen "Kathy" (McGaughey) Butler at the same time.
He brought home a 10-pound bag of pinto beans, assuring his bride that "at least we'll eat." Early the next year he adopted her daughter Ann. The couple lost another daughter, Amy, at birth in 1959.
For 35 years, he worked in various geological capacities. He was widely respected as an expert on the surface, mineral and water rights of various properties in the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant in New Mexico. He specialized in brokering deals for industrial minerals like garnet and antimony.
He attempted to negotiate government bureaucratic channels to guide a commercial deal to remove the Vanadium Corporation of America mill tailings on Smelter Mountain. While that deal fell through, he was proud the EPA eventually selected one of his recommended storage sites to use when it cleaned the tailings.
"He lived an adventurous life," his daughter Ann said. "From looking for gold in Mexico to mining in the wilds of Alaska with grizzly bears roaming his camp, he always lived with gusto."
During his time in Durango, Butler was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and the La Plata County Republican Party. He particularly enjoyed weekday morning coffee with friends at the Strater Hotel.
He joined Early Bird Toastmasters shortly after it was founded, and went to a 7 a.m. meeting every Friday for almost 40 years..
For 17 of his almost 30 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Durango, he and his wife directed the youth-exchange program, helping more than 150 students experience a foreign culture. After hosting two students in his family's home, he decided to learn Spanish himself, attending the Cuernavaca Language School in Mexico several times.
He became a Paul Harris Fellow and also served as a Rotary Group Study Exchange leader to the Dominican Republic.
For more than 30 years, the Butler family enjoyed their cabin at Electra Lake, where Mr. Butler taught many young people the art of sailing. He served as a director of the club several times during that period.
In December 1993, he and his wife were in a serious car accident on U.S. Highway 160 when returning to Durango from a trip to Denver. Mrs. Butler died, and he suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Since then, many people remember him for singing songs, playing the piano and wearing his Rotary badge every day.
After his accident, his caregiving staff was led by Becky Heizer, and many therapists and facilities in the Durango area provided care and support. In 2000, Mr. Butler moved to a specialized facility in Cañon City. His end-of-life care was supervised by Sangre de Cristo West Hospice.
Heraldcolumnist John Peel featured Mr. Butler in a column on Aug. 22, 1998. The column can be viewed online by clicking here .
He is survived by his daughter Ann, the Neighbors columnist forThe DurangoHerald; his niece Sarah Sumner and her daughters Laura, Julia and Meredith Nass, all of Durango; his brothers William W. Butler of White Bear Lake, Minn., Howard Butler of Portland, Ore., and David J. Butler of Richfield, Minn.; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the First United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rotary Foundation, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL, 60201-5608; and the Durango Foundation for Educational Excellence, 201 E. 12 Street, Durango, CO 81301.
Cari Sue Michaels
Cari Sue Michaels, 33, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, at home in Durango of a rare form of cancer.
Ms. Michaels was born March 2, 1970, in Pontiac, Mich., the daughter of Rhonda Efroymson, and was raised in Santa Barbara. As a child, she enjoyed swimming, Girl Scouts, art, ballet, modern dance and people.
Before moving to Durango she lived in Studio City and worked for Paramount Pictures and other firms in the movie industry. She loved traveling and adventure. She also loved her Pekingese dog, Dixie.
"Her gift of love and compassion was a true inspiration to all who knew her," said her brother, Richard McDonald.
"After several vacations in Durango, Cari decided to leave California and relocate here. In every city she lived, she embraced the culture, history, local events and all aspects of her community. Her passion and knowledge of the area were appreciated by all who were lucky enough to receive a tour' from Cari," McDonald said.
The American Cancer Society bestowed numerous awards on Ms. Michaels.
U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis spoke before the House of Representatives honoring Ms. Michaels' courage and perseverance dealing with her health problems during the last year, her brother said.
"Cari Sue was such a remarkable and uniquely beautiful person. We thank God that we were blessed with the most treasured gift of being able to share life with her, even for such a short time," said Efroymson.
Ms. Michaels is survived by her mother, Rhonda Efroymson, of Cathedral City, Calif.; her husband, Jerry Phillips; her brother, Richard McDonald of Durango; her aunt, Mari Penny and her cousins, John and Andrew Penny, of Southern California; her sister-in-law Melanie McDonald of Durango; and her niece and nephew Morgan McDonald and Lucas McDonald, both of Durango.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mercy Medical Center Hospice in honor of Cari Sue Michaels.
A service will be held at 3:30 p.m. today at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 495 Florida Road.
Nellie Maud Clymer Baker
Nellie Maud Clymer Baker, 98, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2004, at The Valley Inn in Mancos.
Mrs. Baker lived in Durango from 1940 to 1944. She returned in 1952 and has lived here ever since.
She was born Aug. 28, 1905, in Loveland. After graduating from Gilcrest High School in Gilcrest, she attended Barnes Business School in Denver.
She worked at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Later she was assistant postmaster in Henderson, then became the bookkeeper at Mercy Medical Center for more than 15 years.
She married E. Adrian Baker on Oct. 6, 1929, in Gilcrest.
After Mrs. Baker retired from Mercy, she enjoyed traveling around the United States and Mexico with her husband in their recreational vehicle until Mr. Baker's death in 1985.
She was a life member of the Radiant Chapter, the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Baker particularly enjoyed life at the family cabin at Vallecito Lake.
"She loved the city life before she reluctantly moved to Durango in 1940. However, the people and the area grew on her and she then truly loved being here and the Vallecito Lake area," said her son, Capt. Donald A. Baker, U.S. Navy retired.
She is survived by her son, Donald A. Baker of Durango, her grandsons, Todd A. Baker of Clarendon, Texas, Brett M. Baker of Houston, and Grant A. Baker of Falls Church, Va.; nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in Durango. The Rev. Bill Postler, with First Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. Myron Darmour, with Mercy Medical Center, will officiate. Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango. Burial will be at the Mizpah Cemetery in Platteville at a later date.
Donations are requested in lieu of flowers and may be made to the Community Foundation/Kiwanis Endowment Fund, in care of the President, Kiwanis Club of Durango, P.O. Box 976, Durango CO 81302.
Deanna J. Mize
Deanna J. Mize, 62, who lived in Durango for 30 years, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. She died of natural causes, said a spokeswoman for Hood Mortuary.
Mrs. Mize was born March 15, 1941, in Kennedy, Texas, the daughter of Geraldine and John Reuter. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and married Dal N. Mize there on Oct. 3, 1959.
Mrs. Mize enjoyed painting and has written several songs.
"She was a loving wife. She also was a caring mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed," said Mr. Mize.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lora Mize.
Mrs. Mize is survived by her husband of Durango; her children, Warren Mize of San Antonio, Dean Mize of Durango and Dana Zschiesche of Durango; her grandchildren, Jessica Mize, Christopher Mize and Courtney Mize, all of San Antonio, and Dillin Zschiesche and Dalton Zschiesche, both of Durango.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Hood Mortuary. The Rev. Bob Kujath will officiate, and burial will take place at Hermosa Cemetery.
Elizabeth Bettie' P. Young
Elizabeth "Bettie" P. Young, 74, a native of Durango, died of cancer Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, in the long-term care unit of Rangely District Hospital.
Mrs. Young was born Feb. 8, 1929, in Durango, the daughter of Pearl (McClendon) Garner and Otis Garner. On Nov. 25, 1946, she married Willis Young in Aztec. The couple lived in Durango, where Mrs. Young managed the cafeteria at Durango High School and Mr. Young worked as foreman of the press room at theHeraldfor 40 years.
Mrs. Young loved to work in her flower beds and was known for her prize-winning roses. In 1994, the Youngs moved to Rangely to be near their daughter and her family.
Mrs. Young is survived by her husband of Rangely; her children, Jackie Fortunato of Rangely and Dennis Young of Durango; her grandchildren, Lisa Fortunato, Brian Fortunato and Paul Fortunato, and Deck Shaline; her great-grandchildren, Jacob, Brendon, Madeline, Corra, Mason and Kayla; her sister, Louise Hankins of Ignacio; and her brother, Larry Garner of Ignacio.
A funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Rangely. Burial took place in Rangely Cemetery.
Keith Rolland Pettigrew
Keith Rolland Pettigrew died of complications from pneumonia on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. He was 82.
He was the father of former Fort Lewis College trustee Ron Pettigrew.
Mr. Pettigrew was born Dec. 19, 1921, in Monument, Kan., the son of Ernest and Ethel Virginia (Madison) Pettigrew.
Mr. Pettigrew, who moved to Colorado in 1935, was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Navy from June 1941 to March 30, 1949. During his naval service, he was aboard the USS Hornet and was a member of Torpedo Squadron 8, all the members of which were Aviation Machinist Mates (2C) who received the Presidential Unit Citation Award.
During his Navy career, Mr. Pettigrew married Lorraine Floyd on Dec. 9, 1945.
After his Navy discharge, Mr. Pettigrew joined the Air Force Reserve and was called to active duty. He served at a base in Great Falls, Mont., as an airplane mechanic for three years.
Returning to Colorado, Mr. Pettigrew spent many years in automotive service and parts. He ended his working career as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service. He retired in 1986.
Mr. Pettigrew enjoyed fishing and spent much time at the lakes in the area.
Mr. Pettigrew is survived by his wife, Lorraine Floyd Pettigrew of Durango; a daughter, Diane Allen of Magdalena, N.M.; and a son, Ron Pettigrew, of Durango. He also is survived by a brother, Karl Pettigrew of Logan, Utah; a granddaughter Jennifer Glover; and grandson Jacob Pettigrew, both of Durango.
A funeral service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Tuesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Durango, with Bishop James Cooper officiating. Military graveside services will be held by V.F.W. Post 4031. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.
Bette Rutledge Kelley Keith
Bette Rutledge Kelley Keith, 80, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at her home in Durango. She died of natural causes said her daughter, Lynn Engelbrecht.
Mrs. Keith was born Sept. 22, 1923, in Lancaster, Pa., the daughter of Della (Boyd) Neff and James Neff. She took classes at Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pa.
She married Louis Rutledge on Oct. 1, 1942. Later, she married Frank Kelley in November 1977, and finally she married John Keith on Feb. 3, 1988, in Bellaire, Calif.
Mrs. Keith moved to Denver in 1955, then to Los Angeles in 1976. She lived there until she moved to Durango in 1992.
In addition to homemaking and retail management, Mrs. Keith spent years traveling as a volunteer for the Red Cross and attended several United Nations Conferences as a Red Cross delegate.
"Mom was always telling us and the grandkids what Shakespeare said in "Hamlet" To thine own self be true, and ... thoust cannot be false to any man,'" Engelbrecht said.
She was preceded in death by her husbands.
Mrs. Keith is survived by her children: Lynn Engelbrecht of Durango and Steve Rutledge of Palo Alto, Calif.; her grandchildren: Reed and Tyler Clément and Sean Donaldson, all of Durango.
Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango with burial in Hollywood Cemetery, Hollywood, Calif.
Memorial contributions may be to the Franciscan Friars T.O.R., P.O. Box 500, Loretta, Pa., 15940-0500 or the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.
