Scott Douglas Brinton, of Durango, died on Feb. 16 at his home after a two-year battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma. He was 61 years old.

Scott was born to Gerald and Lois Brinton on Dec. 8, 1955, in Spokane, Wash. He grew up in numerous places all across the country with his older brother and three younger sisters.

After graduating from Pagosa Springs High School in 1973, he attended Adams State College for one year and then Fort Lewis College, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics. He received his bachelor of science degree in agricultural engineering from Colorado State University in 1978.

He then began working for the Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where he met his future wife, Marjorie Helling. She accompanied him to Denver and then to Alamosa, Colo., where he worked as an engineer for the Colorado Division of Water Resources.

Scott and Marjorie were married April 25, 1980, on the BootJack Ranch at the foot of Wolf Creek Pass. They moved to Durango in 1982, where he worked for the Colorado Division of Water Resources for the next 30 years. He retired in 2007.

During his retirement, he enjoyed traveling, gardening and cooking. He was an especially passionate volunteer at the Grouse Gulch Aide Station for the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run, for which he received the Motherlode Award in 2016, the highest honor for volunteers.

Scott is survived by his wife of 36 years, Marjorie; daughters Sarah (Joseph) Wheeler of Denver, Erin Brinton, Ph.D, of Pasadena, Calif., and Kimberly (Reid) Garrison, of Warren, Pa; his mother, Lois Brinton, and sisters Elizabeth (Freddy) Martinez, Kathryn (Mark) Young and Sara Brinton, all of Pagosa Springs.

He was preceded in death by infant sister Sarah Jane, nephew Christopher Young, father Gerald Brinton and brother David Brinton.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the compassion, support and caring shown by their many friends over the past two years of Scott’s life.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church at 2611 Junction St. in Durango, immediately followed by an informal celebration of Scott’s life in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation at https://netrf.org.

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1961-2017

Veda Jeanette Ortega went to be with our Lord and Father on Feb. 13 in Albuquerque, N.M. She was born on Oct. 27, 1961, in Chama, N.M.

Veda loved her family very much. Her family was her life. She loved spending time with her family. She also loved music, karaoke, dancing and she loved to laugh. Roses, angels and saints were some of her favorite things.

She is survived by her husband Robert Ortega, Albuquerque, N.M.; son Joseph Chavez (Tasha), Albuquerque; daughters Michelle Chavez (Landon), Albuquerque, and Felicia Sedillo (Dario), El Paso, Texas; stepchildren Antonio Ortega, Carlsbad, N.M., and Michelle V. Ortega, Buffalo, N.Y.; grandchildren Landon Johnson, San Diego, Calif., Xavier and Michael Chavez, Durango, Colo., Izaac and Mya Veda Howell, Albuquerque; brothers Tom Young (JoAnn), Gallup, N.M., James A. Young Jr., Albuquerque, and Charles Young, Las Cruces, N.M.; sisters Beverly Johnson, Wanda Candelaria, Sandra Young and Shana Young-Gawdun (Tom), all of Pagosa Springs; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Veda was preceded in death by her parents, James Allen Young Sr. and Alice M. (Montoya) Young. Maternal grandparents Josefita Montoya Garcia, Eugenio and Glorifica Montoya. Paternal grandparents George Young and Pablita Perea Young.

A viewing and rosary was held at the Riverside Mortuary in Albuquerque, N.M., on Feb. 17. A reception followed at the American Legion Post No. 72 in Albuquerque.

A memorial service will be held in Pagosa Springs at a later date.

Veda was a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. She was kind hearted and very giving. She always said what was on her mind. Veda will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

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John Charles Allen passed away Friday, Feb. 18, in Pagosa Springs. He was 47 years old.

John was born Aug. 19, 1969, to Larry and Monica (Bishop) Allen in Los Angeles, Calif. John grew up in Tujunga, Calif. He attended Valley College for his automotive associates degree.

He lived in Tracy, Manteca, Fresno, Sonoma County and Denver, and moved to Pagosa Springs in 2007. He was married to Theresa in 2000 in Lake Tahoe, Calif.

His joy was the dates his grandchildren were born: Dani, Keshawn, Aaliyah and Alize. John was a gifted auto mechanic, loved cars and collected Hot Wheels (miniature cars). John also loved fishing and the Colorado outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa; children Ashley and Thomas Allen, Albert Serrano, and Ariel and Justin Cervantes; parents Larry and Monica Allen; brother Eric Allen; grandmother Eloner Fabbri; and many friends and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Albert Fabbri and Leo Allen.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at CrossRoad Church at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to a gofundme.com page listed under Tricia Allen.

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Virginia Antonia Gomez passed away Friday, Feb. 17, at home, in peace, surrounded by her loving family. She was 68 years old.

Virginia was born Sept. 22, 1948, to Antonio M. and Irene M. (Chavez) Gomez in Allison, Colo. She grew up in Allison and the surrounding communities, on a ranch. The family then moved to Chromo, continuing the ranch life, and finally to Pagosa Peak Ranch, where she graduated from Pagosa Springs High School. After school, she settled in the town of Pagosa Springs. There, she worked at various restaurants as a waitress and ended her career as assistant manager for the Best Western Lodge for over 20 years. Most importantly, Virginia was a wonderful mother and a caregiver to her parents and sister.

She prided herself on her close relationships with her nieces and nephews, then finally with her daughter and grandchildren. Virginia also enjoyed crocheting and cutting hair.

Virginia is survived by her daughter: Ashley (Michael) Heilhecker; three grandchildren: Ryann, HalliMae and Aspen; and five siblings: Theresa Gomez, Nora Saavedra, Edulia Martinez, Tina Briceno and Sorita Garcia.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Joe Gomez and Leroy Gomez; and a sister: Priscilla Martinez.

A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Pagosa Springs. Following the Mass, there will be a potluck reception next door at the Parish Hall. Later in the spring of 2017, burial will occur at Rosa Cemetery.

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Betty Lucille Watkins was called to her eternal home on Monday, Jan. 30. For the last five years, she fought a grim battle with Alzheimer’s disease, but always with her dignity and sweet spirit intact. She was 89 years old.

Betty was born March 17, 1927, in Clarksville, Texas, the youngest child of Carl and Lizzie Phares. The family moved to Carlsbad, N.M., during her high school years, where she graduated in 1945. After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. One Sunday, sitting at the back of the church, she caught the eye of Jimmy Watkins. On Oct. 1, 1951, James H. and Betty were married in Alamogordo, N.M. They would be married for 53 years, holding hands ‘til the very end.

In June 1953, Jim and Betty, along with Jim’s parents, moved to Pagosa Springs, where, as told by Ray, her father-in-law, “the rivers actually have water in them!” Betty was always by Jim’s side in all of his endeavors, becoming a pioneer lady on the ranch and bookkeeper and partner in their businesses: Wolf Creek Industries, a house log mill, and High Country Lodge, a local motel. She was also the postmaster at Navajo, N.M., when Jim was training members of the Navajo tribe in the art of saw-filing at the new sawmill there. She and Jim became members of First Baptist Church of Pagosa Springs in 1953, serving faithfully throughout the years. Together they raised three children: Paula, Carla and James, who always remember Betty as a devoted mother, always there for them with love and encouragement, and good food on the dinner table every night.

Betty was an avid reader, history buff and patriot, always encouraging her grandchildren to learn about the history of America, and the lives and events of spiritual leaders in her Christian faith. She loved her books and assembled quite an extensive library. Her other great love was children, especially, of course, her grandkids. She played a major part in their lives, always willing to care for, teach, share her faith and love, using her favorite word of endearment, “darlin’.”

Betty is survived by her daughter, Carla Raye Bauer, and husband Paul; son James Lee Watkins and wife Linda; eight grandchildren: Susan (Bob) Williams, Steven (Tina) Parkhurst, Michael (Debbie) Moore, Christy (Stephen) Porter, Jesse (Jennifer) Bauer, Dusty (Kelly) Bauer, Resha (Jeremy) Still and Rachel Watkins; 15 great-grandchildren: Alisha, Justin, Stephanie, Paula, Katie, Brittany, McKenna, Trevor, Jamie, Parker, Raygan, Christian, Bowen, Finleigh and Wesley; and four great-great-grandchildren: Camryn, Averey, Hailey, and Quinn; a sister-in-law, Chessie McBride, along with many nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, James Homer Watkins; daughter Paula Ann Finch; her parents, Carl Roy Phares and Lizzie Mae (Phares) Skipworth; brothers Roy Lee Phares and Tom Johnson Phares; and two grandchildren, Megan Watkins and Christopher Lyn Williams.

Dearest Mom/Grandma Betty, we are so grateful to have been a part of your life. Your influence will be felt for generations to come. You are sorely missed, and will live on in our hearts forever.

A time of celebration and remembrance in honor of Betty’s life will be held on Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. at Centerpoint Church in Pagosa Springs.

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John Charles Allen passed away Friday, Feb. 18, in Pagosa Springs. He was 47 years old.

John was born Aug. 19, 1969, to Larry and Monica (Bishop) Allen in Los Angeles, Calif. John grew up in Tujunga, Calif. He attended Valley College for his automotive associates degree.

He lived in Tracy, Manteca, Fresno, Sonoma County and Denver, and moved to Pagosa Springs in 2007. He was married to Theresa in 2000 in Lake Tahoe, Calif.

His joy was the dates his grandchildren were born: Dani, Keshawn, Aaliyah and Alize. John was a gifted auto mechanic, loved cars and collected Hot Wheels (miniature cars). John also loved fishing and the Colorado outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa; children Ashley and Thomas Allen, Albert Serrano, and Ariel and Justin Cervantes; parents Larry and Monica Allen; brother Eric Allen; grandmother Eloner Fabbri; and many friends and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Albert Fabbri and Leo Allen.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at CrossRoad Church at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to a gofundme.com page listed under Tricia Allen.

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David Neil Willson, of Pagosa Springs, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 26, at Mercy Medical in Durango. He was born July 19, 1943, to Neil and Marjorie Willson of Palmyra, Wis. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran church in Palmyra. He graduated from Palmyra High in 1961. He was married to Sandra Adams on June 24, 1961. He learned his work ethic on the family farm. He worked at Northwest Telephone Company and as a police officer for the villages of Palmyra and Eagle. He was an avid trap shooter and took numerous awards along with his trapshooting teammates Donnie Smith, Richard Sadenwasser, Jack Mills and Russ Wickler. He also loved pheasant and deer hunting. He was a trail guide on his horse, Flame, through the Kettle Moraine. He was involved in an auto accident in March of 1975 that changed his life. In 1984, he moved to Pagosa Springs. He fell in love with the area during an FFA field trip. He loved the mountains and all they had to offer. He would take family and friends for drives around the “loop.” He lived life through his children and grandchildren and hosted many an elk hunting camp.

Dave is survived by his children: Lance and his children Garrett, Logan, Gracie and Shaylan; Dan and his children, Jennifer, Cody and Jessica; Valerie (Tink) (partner Anita Crisman); his brothers, Robert (Cheryl) and Scott; and sister Bonnie; sister-in-law Pat West (late Lyle West); nieces and nephews; and wonderful friends left behind in Colorado: Kermit Littleton, Manny and Lori Medina, just to name a few. He is preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Marjorie Willson, and his brother, Mike.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, March 4, from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service, all at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 313 Main St. Palmyra, Wis. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Palmyra.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

There is an online guestbook at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.

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Rudy was born Dec. 13, 1932, to Herbert David Sapper and Clara Matheu in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He came to the United States at the age of 11 to attend school in Prairie Du Chien, Wis., and studied printing at Carnegie Technical University in Pittsburgh, Pa. Rudy became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1954. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955, he returned to Carnegie Tech to complete his studies. Rudy’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers remained lifelong friends. After college, Rudy worked in Washington, D.C., at McCalls Printing Company before moving to San Diego, Calif., to become chief financial officer of Sapper Construction Company. The master’s swim program and golf were activities he especially loved. In 2005, Rudy and Joan moved to Pagosa Springs to enjoy retirement together in this beautiful place. They married at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, where they made very special friends who have become family. Rudy will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Scott, of Pagosa Springs; children: sons Gerry and Doug Sapper, daughter Cathy Carrino, stepsons Chas and Drew Scott; their families include 11 grandchildren who loved him dearly.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Pagosa Springs. Memorial donations in Rudy’s memory may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (pcf.org).

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Opal Imogene “Jean” Pierce passed away on Friday, March 3, in Tyler, Texas. Jean was born on Sept. 16, 1934, to Rufus and Flora Brown in Arkansas. Jean married James Alton “Jim” Pierce on Nov. 10, 1960, in Samoa, Calif.

Jean is survived by husband of 56 years Jim Pierce; sons Dwight and Pam Pierce, of Plano, Texas, Randy Pierce, of Shady Shore, Texas, Troy Pierce, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Barry and Shari Pierce, of Kaufman, Texas. She is also survived by grandchildren John Wadle, Casey Pierce, Shelly Pierce, Brandon Pierce, Jackson Pierce, Ryan Pierce and Raigan Pierce and great-grandson Zane Guerra.

Jean was a member of New Harmony Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. Jean enjoyed traveling with her husband and could sew anything. Jean had a great love for her Lord, Jesus Christ, and drew many people to her with her loving personality and great smile.

Services for Jean were held on Tuesday, March 7, at New Harmony Baptist Church in Tyler. Internment will be held at the National Cemetery of Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the benevolence fund at New Harmony Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas.

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Dec. 11, 1946 — Feb. 28, 2017

Mary “Missy” S. (Resko) Leonard, age 70, of Spring Branch, Texas, passed away at home peacefully on Feb. 28 following a long battle with cancer and multiple other health issues, a battle she waged with courage, grace, humor and love.

She was the beloved wife and soul mate of Edgar “Sonny” Leonard.

Missy lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed traveling, collecting jewelry, gardening, painting, writing poems and short stories, and loved going to the casinos in the motor home. She had a great laugh and a beautiful smile. She had a way of making everyone feel important and special and would brighten the day of anyone she came in contact with by a kind word or witty remark.

Missy always had a positive attitude and a passion for life. Missy was an amazing wife, a very special and loving mother, fun and caring grandmother/nanny, terrific sister and favorite aunt. She was an original and will be greatly missed.

Survived by husband Sonny; sons Jeff and Edgar Jr.; daughter Judy; many grandchildren; brother Chet; and many nephews and nieces.

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Richard M. Jewell
Richard M. Jewell passed away in his sleep at his home in Pagosa Springs, Colo., on Sunday, March 12, from complications with pneumonia and is finally at peace after over a decade of battling Parkinson’s.
He is survived by his wife, Roxane; two children, Caitlyn and John; his sister, Barbara, her husband, John, and nephew Ryan Clavette; as well as other amazing aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earle and Eileen Jewell; and his uncles, Robert Jewell and Norm Stelling.
Rick was born on Feb. 8, 1951, in Chicago, Ill., and grew up in the woods of New Hampshire. Rick fell in love with the outdoors and later became a forester for the USDA Forest Service for over 36 years. Just like the John Denver song, “Rocky Mountain High,” he moved to Colorado his 27th year and never looked back. Aside from his career, Rick enjoyed the outdoors by skiing, camping, running and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. As a sports enthusiast, he enjoyed playing in the adult soccer and hockey leagues in Pagosa Springs and Durango and loved following his children’s sports career. Before his illness, Rick was very involved in community service. After retiring, Rick pursued his love of painting and woodworking. He started his small business Lone Tree Lamps; creating lamps and paintings which, like himself, were true, one-of-a-kind, Jewells.
As Rick has chosen cremation, a memorial service will be held in Creede, Colo., on July 15 at 11 a.m., at the Creede Community Church. Memorial contributions may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank by simply asking to donate to the Rick Jewell Memorial Fund. Checks made out to Rick Jewell Memorial Fund can be sent directly to Wells Fargo at 50 Harman Park Drive, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. Art was one of the greatest joys in Rick’s life and helped him to gracefully handle his journey with Parkinson’s. It is his and his family’s wish for these memorial funds to go toward a scholarship supporting an art student or an art program.

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Robert T. Hubbard passed away peacefully at his home in Pagosa Springs on March 22.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; two daughters, Donna Safley (Tom), and Judy Sanchez; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a stepson, Brian McDermott, with his two sons; a sister, Virginia Stich; brother Fred (Lesley); sister-in-law Joan; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob retired from Daly City Fire Department and immediately moved to Pagosa Springs with his wife in August 1989.

For all who knew Bob, a memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, U.S. 160 West and Meadows Drive, Pagosa Springs, on April 1 at 2 p.m.

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Carrie L. Hannigan, 94, passed away on March 24 at Pine Ridge Extended Care Center, Pagosa Springs. Mrs. Hannigan was born on May 13, 1922, in Harleton, Texas, to Eugene and Fannie McBride. Mrs. Hannigan was a graduate of Marshall Senior High School, in Marshall, Texas.

She volunteered to serve at the outbreak of World War II and entered the Women’s Army Air Corps, where she was stationed in San Diego, Calif., and later in Tonopah, Nev. Her assignment involved administrative support of the mission.

While in San Diego, she met Joseph C. Hannigan, from Grand Junction, Colo., who was a corporal assigned to the 14th Fighter Control Squadron. As the war wound down, they were married in June 1944. They had three children, Joseph Hannigan Jr., Kathryn (Hannigan) Salinger and Mick Hannigan.

Following her discharge after World War II, the couple settled in Grand Junction, Colo., eventually moving to Bishop, Calif., until Mr. Hannigan retired from the Union Carbide Corporation.

Her interests were many, in addition to her cherished role as mother to her children, including art and music. She was an accomplished artist and painter. Her artwork hangs in homes from Alaska to Connecticut. She loved music and gave piano lessons, specializing in children’s music lessons.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Joseph C. Hannigan Sr., a former resident of Pine Ridge Extended Care Center in Pagosa Springs, and is survived by her three children: Joseph Hannigan Jr. and his wife, Debbie, of Pagosa Springs; Mick Hannigan and his wife, Suzanne, of Pasco, Wash.; and daughter Kathryn (Hannigan) Salinger, of Rosamond, Calif.; six grandchildren: Michael Hannigan and his wife, Stacey, of Spokane, Wash.; Marissa (Hannigan) Chiarella and her husband, Brian, of Colchester, Conn.; Andy Skaggs and his wife, Teri, of Kirkland, Wash.; Thomas Skaggs and his wife, Edna, of El Paso, Texas; Tracie Hannigan, of Pasco, Wash.; and Kevin Hannigan, of Everett, Wash.; five great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends everywhere.

Mrs. Hannigan will be deeply missed as a loving wife, mother and friend. Cremation arrangements were made by Hood Mortuary, Pagosa Springs. She will be interred next to her husband at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Grand Junction, Colo. There will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Pagosa Springs Senior Center or remember Carrie by simply taking a moment to say “hello” to someone who is somehow confined by health or circumstance.

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Robert T. Hubbard passed away peacefully at his home in Pagosa Springs on March 22.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; two daughters, Donna Safley (Tom), and Judy Sanchez; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a stepson, Brian McDermott, with his two sons; a sister, Virginia Stich; brother Fred (Lesley); sister-in-law Joan; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob retired from Daly City Fire Department and immediately moved to Pagosa Springs with his wife in August 1989.

For all who knew Bob, a memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, U.S. 160 West and Meadows Drive, Pagosa Springs, on April 1 at 2 p.m.

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Memorial services for Ardella Mae Simacek, of Waseca, Minn., will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Vista Lutheran Church of New Richland, Minn. Pastor Brian Gegel will officiate. Friends are invited to greet the family an hour before the service and to stay for lunch following the service at the church, where they are invited to enjoy one of Ardella’s favorite meals. Interment will be in the Woodville Cemetery, Waseca, Minn.

Ardella passed away Friday, March 31, at the Mayo Clinic Heath System-Mankato Hospital. She was 80 years of age.

Ardella, oldest of seven children, was born in rural Bricelyn, Minn., on Feb. 28, 1937, the daughter of Lester and Hattie (Winter) Knutson. She attended country school and graduated Kiester High School class of 1955. On Nov. 26, 1955, she was united in marriage to Ronald Roehrs. Ardella was married to Ron for 19 years; later, she married Emil Simacek on Nov. 3, 1975.

Ardella was no stranger to having an amazing entrepreneurial spirit. While raising six children, Ardella was instrumental in the establishment of a family farm, worked at Brown Printing Company and EF Johnson, was active in leadership in 4-H, Garden Club and Vista Lutheran Church. In 1990, she relocated to Texas and obtained her CDL license and drove cross country with her husband. She was a founder in a fiber optic company which became Fiber Systems International — a multi-million-dollar company providing communication technology used in our military’s national defense. Ardella remained active in the company until her retirement in 2003. When outside of work, Ardella loved baking and cooking, and was an avid gardener.

Ardella is survived by six children: Janet (John) Tharp, of Prosper, Texas; Rhonda (Gary) Conrath of Waseca, Minn.; Michael (Valerie) Roehrs, of Argyle, Texas; Steven (Kathy) Roehrs, of Frederic, Wisc.; Sandra (Garry) Walstrom, of New Richland, Minn.; Daniel (Renae) Roehrs, of Pagosa Springs; 16 grandchildren: Jeremy (Jamie) Conrath, Ted (AmyJo) Conrath, Jessica Conrath, Josh Conrath, Natalie Roehrs, Jennifer Roehrs, Sarah Roehrs, Andrew Roehrs, Kristy Roehrs, Megan Roehrs, Kristin Walstrom, Katie (Rod) Walstrom, Jonathan Walstrom, Tiffany (Darrin) DeBoer, Timothy Roehrs, Brianna (Rory) Burnett; seven great-grandchildren: Mikayla Conrath, Josiah Behncke, Jaxon Yenish, Jameson Conrath, Jasmine DeBoer, Levi DeBoer and Titus DeBoer.

Ardella is survived by four brothers: Alvin Knutson, Roger (LeAnn) Knutson, Jimmie Knutson, Lloyd (Becky) Knutson; and two sisters: Laura (Gerald) Heitland and Karen (Barry) Warren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emil, in 2001; ex-husband Ronald, father to their six children in 2000; special friend and partner Tommy Thompson in 2004; father in 1964; mother in 2001; sister-in-law Janice Knutson; and nephews Jeffrey Heitland and Terry Knutson.

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Cherie Ann Clodfelter considered it her mission to educate future teachers during her 37-year career at the University of Dallas.

This is how she described teaching in 1975: “You get paid for sharing your mind,” she said. “If I were any happier, it would be immoral or illegal.”

The UD professor emerita died Saturday, March 4, at Baylor Scott and White Irving after collapsing at her Irving home. She was 86.

A memorial was held Thursday at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church, where she had been an active member.

“The single word that describes her best is feisty,” said Barbara Khirallah, a former student of Clodfelter and now a UD education professor. “She was very spirited and spoke her mind. Sometimes that would get her in trouble.”

Clodfelter was petite, spunky and hardworking, said Sybil Novinski, a former colleague who is now UD’s archivist.

While Clodfelter could seem abrupt, “it was just that she was getting things done,” Novinski said. “She cared deeply about her students. Her belief in her students and her sense of them was just remarkable.”

Clodfelter was known for her sayings.

“I loved the way she said, ‘We do not do teacher in-service training,’” said her brother, Ron Clodfelter, of Irving. “‘We educate teachers. We train seals.’”

Clodfelter was born in Bartlesville, Okla., where her parents were educators. She received her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She earned her master’s from Texas Woman’s University, and a doctorate in a joint program between TWU and George Washington University.

Clodfelter joined the UD faculty in 1970. She became a professor, chairwoman of the education department and served on the faculty senate.

“She taught the famous course Child and Young Adult Literature,” Novinski said. “We all simply referred to it as kiddie lit.”

Clodfelter wanted to leave her students thirsting to learn more.

“She would read a book to us in children’s literature and we would be just enthralled, because she was an outstanding reader,” Khirallah said. “Then she would stop right at that critical moment in the book and we would beg her to finish.

“And she would say, ‘No, no. You can just check out the book.’”

Clodfelter brought authors to the Irving campus and arranged to make them available at book signings, visits and workshops at the city library.

“She really made a difference all the time, which is what she expected her teachers to do,” Novinski said.

From 1982 to 2004, Clodfelter was a young adult and children’s book critic for The Dallas Morning News.

She was active with groups including the Sunrise Rotary, the Irving/Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and Irving ISD. She was the chamber’s Woman of the Year in 1999.

Clodfelter helped develop the 18-volume Reading Basal Series published by Harper & Row. She was senior editor for the books designed to teach children reading in grade-level steps.

In 1974, the International Reading Association named her the College Teacher of the Decade.

“She was the most effective and best teacher I ever experienced, hands down,” Khirallah said.

Clodfelter retired from UD in 2007, the year she published her last book, “Books That All Children Should Hear and Read: Perpetuating the Stories.”

She is survived by her brother, a retired Texas A&M University developmental psychology professor.

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In loving memory

April 17, 1975 — May 26, 1993

Two tired eyes are sleeping, two hard working hands are still. The one we loved so deeply is resting at God’s will. He will always walk in sunshine, God’s love around him glows for all the happiness he gave us, no one will ever know. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home.

Happy birthday, Mi Ben. We miss you lots and our hearts ache for you.

Love, your family

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Dorothy Virginia Turner Kleckner passed away early Saturday morning, April 8, in Aztec at Cranes Roost Assisted Living Home. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 15, at 11 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church in Pagosa Springs. Burial will follow at Hilltop Cemetery.

Virgina was born in Buena Vista, Colo., to Bill and Lora Turner, on July 19, 1925. In total, there were seven children: three girls: Doris, Virginia and Bonnie; and four boys: Bill, Albert, Art and Frank. Virginia spent her first 20 years in Buena Vista, graduated from Buena Vista High School and attended Parks School in Denver for a time.

She married Carl Kleckner on Dec. 23, 1945. Two days after they married, Carl took his bride to his families’ ranch in the snowy mountains of Pagosa Springs where they would spend the next almost 50 years together. Within a few years, Carl built their new home on the lower ranch and the new home was equipped with electricity and indoor plumbing. Virginia learned the skills to be a rancher’s wife and lived and raised her family in her home at the foot of Pagosa Peak.

Virginia joined the Community United Methodist Church in June 1954, and served as president of the United Methodist Women and various other positions in the church. She was a proud charter member of the Mountain View Homemakers Club, and joined the Red Hats in later years. She was honored as the Archuleta County Fair Queen in the ’90s.

In 1995 Virginia’s “Mr.” (Carl) died and five years later, the house he built her burned to the ground destroying almost 48 years of living, though the home was rebuilt. Virginia sustained a full life at the ranch until 2008 when she was no longer able to drive. In the fall of 2009, she moved to Aztec to live among her family there. She was cared for in her daughter’s home by family members until 2015 when she began her residence at Cranes Assisted Living Home in Aztec.

Leaving behind: her children, Kathy McWhirter, Debby Snook (Darrel), of Aztec, Bob Kleckner (Eleana), of Pagosa Springs; nine grandchildren: Kelly Pickens, Michael McWhirter and Melissa Dugger, Stacey McKnight, Leslie Beery and Lance Snook; Bobby and John Kleckner and Lorena Bacon; 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters, Carl’s sister Ivy Gaines, of Durango, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Donations in Virginia Kleckner’s memory may be made to the Community United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 300, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.

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June 27, 1959 — April 8, 2017

Rich Lange moved to Pagosa Springs in 2004. He worked as an engineer with CenturyLink for many years. Rich loved skiing, hunting, golfing and boating. He was an avid bass fisherman and loved spending time outdoors with his loving wife, Barb, and his dog, Cooper. His sudden passing has left a huge hole in our hearts. He will be deeply missed by his nieces and nephew, who loved spending time with him, and all of his family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held in Pagosa Springs at a later date.

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Dec. 11, 1921 — March 23, 2017

Mary J. McGee, 95, transitioned on March 23 at Pine Ridge Extended Care Center, Pagosa Springs. Born in Walden, Colo., as Mary Jane Shumake, Jerry (as everyone knows her), is survived by three children, 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Her surviving children are Donna Twiggs, James Moyer and David McGee. Jerry married Charles William McGee on March 1, 1953, in Yerington, Nev.

During World War II, Jerry supported the war effort by “bucking rivets” in the wing tips of the A-26 Invader (because she was tiny enough to fit in the small spaces). Hence, she never heard the bombs or the gun fire. Instead, she heard the constant hammering of the riveting guns in close quarters without hearing protection. Jerry paid the price for her service in later life by loosing most of her ability to hear family and friends.

In later life, Jerry lived in Weed Heights, Nev., raising her two youngest sons, Charles Barton and David Michael McGee. Her passions at this point in time were being a member of The Civil Air Patrol Search and Rescue, amateur geology (known as rockhounding in the United States and Canada), exploring ghost towns, gathering pinon pine nuts and wild asparagus, hiking, bowling, bicycling and camping with her family.

After Weed Heights, Jerry moved to Reno, Nev., with her husband and two youngest children. Again, doing the previously mentioned activities and adding playing the organ, raising honey bees and exploring new country.

From Reno, she set her sights on the San Francisco Bay Area and then on to Bakersfield, Calif.

Leaving both her now grown sons behind, Jerry and husband Charles ordered a specially built 36-foot Arden fifth-wheel camp trailer and headed “North to Alaska,” where they participated in the construction of the Trans Alaskan Pipeline. Living in the “Fiver” (as they called it) full time, Fairbanks, Alaska, was quite the change from Bakersfield.

Again on the move, the couple traveled through Canada and the Western U.S. and finally settled in Tucson, Ariz., for 25 years. They spent almost all of those years as the live-in caretakers of Unity Church of Tucson.

Jerry survived her husband on Aug. 16, 2010, left Unity of Tucson and moved to Pagosa Springs. Now “full circle,” she spent the remainder of her years in her home state inspiring those who had come to know her. Her ability to go out walking on her own and hiking and traveling “at 95” with the family that adopted her, were truly an inspiration to all. Jerry McGee is now where she wants to be and will be truly missed here on earth. Love to all.

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