Obituaries

Jun 4, 2020

Jun 3, 2020

Mr. Richard "Rick" Lee Loether passed away peacefully on June 3, 2020, following a lengthy struggle with cancer. Rick was born September 1, 1946, in Wichita, KS, to Guy E. and Novella M. (Thompson) Loether. He moved to Durango with his family in 1952. After graduation from Durango High School in 1965, he joined the U.S. Air Force where he...

Jun 1, 2020

Clara Christine Slade Gillen, age 85, peacefully departed this world June 1st, 2020 at her home in Red Mesa, Colorado. Born in Durango Colorado on July 31st, 1934; married to Ronald LeRoy Gillen. Clara, or as most knew her, Christine was a woman of faith, family, and traditions. Born in the Community Hospital of Durango, the eldest child and daughter...

May 31, 2020

Chandler Herrera passed away Monday, May 31, 2020, at Mercy Medical Center. He was surrounded by his family. Chandler was born on December 28, 1962. He is preceded in death by his parents Vonestine William and Javin Herrera. Chandler was a life long resident of Ignacio. He worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation for 25 years from which he...

May 26, 2020

Francisco “Frank” Arthuro Lopez, Sr. passed away on May 26, 2020, he 69 years old. Frank was born in Durango, CO on Sept. 11, 1950 to Julian & Teofila Lopez. He was 1 of 7 children. He graduated Durango High School. He went to butcher school in Trinidad, CO. He went to police academy & became an officer for the...

May 23, 2020

Elmer Dean Hobson (Dean) passed away on May 23, 2020 of complications of congestive heart failure. Dean was born in Topeka, Kansas on May 29, 1945. Dean's family moved often in his childhood. By the time he graduated high school, he had lived in 36 residences across multiple states. After graduating high school, Dean entered the United States Air Force....

May 20, 2020

May 19, 2020

May 19, 2020

Kelly Wayne Turner, 61, of Durango Co, died 05.19.2020. Born to Cecil Turner and LaNeil Eikelman Turner 10.05.1958 in Durango. Kelly graduated from Durango High School. He was known for his distinct laugh and infectious smile and wicked sense of humor. Growing up, Kelly worked many years at Lori's Family Dining. Kelly was an excellent Line Cook who expected the...

May 14, 2020

Dad got a kick out of the saying: "The only bad luck in life is bad health, the rest is just inconvenience." This was a favorite quote of our father, Gerald Lynn Cochran, who passed away on Thursday, May 14th, 2020. 'Jerry,' loving Dad of two daughters, Natalie and Andrea, was 80 years young when he crossed over to be...

May 14, 2020

Dad got a kick out of the saying: "The only bad luck in life is bad health, the rest is just inconvenience." This was a favorite quote of our father, Gerald Lynn Cochran, who passed away on Thursday, May 14th, 2020. 'Jerry,' loving Dad of two daughters, Natalie and Andrea, was 80 years young when he crossed over to be...

May 10, 2020

Howard Allen Maddox, 93, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020. Howard was born February 18,1927 to Edward and Helen Maddox in Evanston, IL, though he grew up in the Detroit, Michigan area. He graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1945. After high school he worked at the Chrysler Motors Assembly Plant until drafted into the US Army. He...

May 9, 2020

Robert William Kujath born January 26, 1940 in Fairbury, Nebraska, to Herbert and Tillie Meyer Kujath. He was raised on the family farm and his love for farming and animals lasted his whole life. Bob was a multi-sport athlete and graduated from Beatrice High School in Beatrice, NE in 1957. His senior year, he was honored in 1957 Encyclopedia Britannica...

May 3, 2020

Alden Burch Naranjo, Jr. (Blue Sunrise) passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020, in Albuquerque. He was 79 years old. Alden was born January 3, 1941, to Alden Naranjo, Sr. and Bertha Burch Groves in Ignacio, Colorado. He grew up in Ignacio, attended Ute Vocational School, graduated from St. Catherine's Indian School in Santa Fe, NM, and attended Merritt College in...

May 1, 2020

Richard “Dick” George Martin died peacefully on May 1, 2020, he was 92. Dick was born in Utah to Harry Martin and Rosalia Mathews Juergens on September 15, 1927. His school years were in Washington D.C. and at Military School in Salida, Kansas. Near the end of WWII, he was drafted into the Army after which he graduated from Colorado...

Apr 22, 2020

John Richard Bemenderfer passed on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (He was affectionately known as Dick). Dick was born in Center, Colorado on January 21, 1932 to Henry and Hazel Bemenderfer, 5th of 6 children. His parents and grandparents had large farms and raised many types of crops: including potatoes and lots of animals; thus developing a deep love for the...

Apr 22, 2020

Eloner Irene Fabbri passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at home in Lafayette, CO. She was 94 years old. Eloner was born July 29, 1925, to Glen and Verda Stithem in Palco, Kansas. She was baptized at the age of 11 at a Baptist church in Silvis, Illinois. She worked at ERC (Electronic Trim) for 14 years, Ford Properties (real...

Apr 22, 2020

Rita Mae Woodson passed away Friday, April 24, 2020, in Durango. She was 90 years old. Rita was born December 4, 1929, to Theodore and Myrtle Dies at St Anthony Hospital in Denver. She grew up in Denver where her father, Ted, was a mail man. She always said she was the "mail man's kid". Rita attended South High School...

Apr 21, 2020

A truly original and authentic Cowboy, Walter Alvin Lueders (Butch) passed away on April 21st, 2020. Walt was always quick with an infectious smile and a firm handshake for his friends, and quicker with a hug to the ladies. He was born to Bertha and Melvin Lueders in Kerrville, Texas on July 25, 1945. Walt’s older brother, James, was born...

Apr 21, 2020

Stanley R. Frost passed away at his home in Ignacio, Tuesday, April 21, 2020. He was 84 years old. Stanley was born May 16, 1935 to Bertha Norris Frost and Andrew Frost on the Southern Ute Reservation. He was a lifelong resident of Ignacio. Stanley started work at a young age. He attended the Ute Vocational School and transferred to...