Obituaries

Jan 11, 2019

Lynn W Mohney, a longtime Durango resident, passed away January 11th surrounded by family at the age of 83. Lynn was born in Durango Colorado on October 8th 1935. Lynn attended Animas City school and graduated from Silverton High School in 1953. He joined the US Air Force in 1953 and was stationed in Germany until 1957 when he was...

Jan 8, 2019

Don Ruth passed away at his home on January 8, 2018 with his wife of 54 years by his side. Don was born in Greensburg, KS on August 14, 1941, the third son of Verle and Vila Ruth. When Don was almost four years old, they moved to a farm near Johnson, KS. Don grew up on the family farm....

Jan 7, 2019

Orville George Hood was born on March 4th 1936 to George Emerson Hood and Edna Shoshoni-Gunn-Hood in Tuba City, Arizona. He is preceded in death by both parents, sister, Lorraine Madelyn Duran and brother, Don Emerson Hood. Orville is survived by one son, Richard Hood, one daughter Debra Hood-Grayley, a younger sister, Joyce Willemina Duran, his grandson, Calvin Hood and...

Jan 4, 2019

Norma Lucero, 91 passed away peacefully on the morning of January 4th, 2019. She was surrounded by her loving family and caregivers during the last days of her life. Norma was born in Lumberton, New Mexico, on November 28, 1927 to Celso and Rebecca Lucero. She married her loving husband Ruben Lucero, on January 31, 1946. They made Pagosa Springs,...

Jan 3, 2019

Max Martinez, 52 years , of Tucson, Arizona, died 1/3/2019 at his home. Born 9/24/1966. He is survived by his siblings Dennis Washington, John Washington, Clara Lucero-Washington, Gilbert Washington Jr., Irvin Casias, Valentino Vasquez, Phillip Martinez, Chris Winterhawk, Matthew Martinez, Mary Jane Martinez, Fabio Martinez, & Mary Martinez. A service will be held at Southern Ute Memorial Chapel, Ignacio, Colorado....

Jan 1, 2019

On January 1, 2019, Ruby Maxine Loran of Pagosa Springs went to be with her Lord. She is preceded in death by her parents Reverend C.C and Ruby Lamb and brother Lawrence. She was born October 3, 1929, in Shannon, Texas. She is survived by three children: Tericia Albright of Abilene, Steve Loran of Austin, and Greg Loran (wife Diane)...

Dec 31, 2018

Debra Lehl passed away at her home in Durango with her parents by her side on December 31, 2018. Debra was born in Hugo, CO August 10, 1980 to Jerry & Shirley Lehl. Debra moved from the Hugo farm to a ranch in Crawford, CO. Debra attended Crawford Middle School & Hotchkiss High School, where she graduated with honors. She...

Dec 28, 2018

Durango, CO - Toni passed away on December 28, 2018 at Mercy Hospice House in Durango, CO with her daughter Lisa by her side. She was born 84 years ago in Minneapolis, MN where her mother Elizabeth and step-father, George Alt raised her. She graduated from Northrup Collegiate School, MN and went on study at many colleges. She and her...

Dec 25, 2018

Longtime Durango resident Lucille “Boots” Marie Holyoak died Tuesday, Dec 25th, 2018 at her home. She was 83. Boots was born on September 2nd, 1935 in Yorktown, TX. Later in childhood her family moved to Bisbee, AZ, where she graduated high school. She raised three children in Bisbee before meeting the love of her life, Lyle Holyoak, Boots and Lyle...

Dec 24, 2018

Anyone hearing Dennis Johnson's booming, powerful voice never forgot it. Onstage as King Lear, his "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow!" startled theatre-goers right out of their seats. Dennis's acting days began in 1959 right here in Durango, under Orvis Grout at the Diamond Circle Theatre in our historic Strater Hotel, where his thundering vocal cords often landed...

Dec 22, 2018

Twila Faye Brown was born February 28, 1958. Twila passed away in her home in the loving arms of her partner, Donna Merchant-Crooks, on December 22, 2018. Twila is the proud granddaughter of the late Faye Brown of Pagosa Springs and the daughter of Warren Joe Brown of Bayfield and Nadine Eva Clouse, deceased. She tended her grandmother’s ranch for...

Dec 20, 2018

Roger Alan Kopp, our beloved husband, dad, and grandpa, passed away in his home in Santa Fe on December 20, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; his three children, Greg, Lori, and Duane; and seven grandchildren. He is predeceased by his brother, Glen. Roger was born on February 17, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Dena Kopp....

Dec 15, 2018

Bonnie Jean Baker, 86,of Durango, Colorado, died 12/15/2018 at Mercy Hospice House in Durango, surrounded by family. She was born January 11, 1932 to Don and Sarah Grundvig in Utah. She is survived by sons: Alvin (Jan), Don (Michelle) and Robert Baker; her brother: John Knight; grandchildren: Isaiah, Dustin, Ryan, Casey & Frankie Baker; great-grandson: Rowan Baker. Preceded in death...

Dec 13, 2018

In Memory of Andrew F. Schwarz Andy lived life to the fullest with gusto and humor. He knew the joys of friendship. He was a happy guy, appreciating the simple pleasures of a laugh, a walk on the beach, a well-hit tennis ball, a shared story, a cup of good coffee. Andrew F. Schwarz was born in 1938 in San...

Dec 13, 2018

Marjorie Genevieve 'Marge' Forsythe was born in Kansas City, Kansas on May 23, 1921 to Matthew James Slater and Margaret Tora Paulsen, the youngest of 3 siblings. When she was 5 years old the family moved to a farm near Waverly, KS. She walked to country schools before entering high school and graduated in 1938. Marge worked in restaurants after...

Dec 10, 2018

Ilamae (Olson) Watters died on December 10, 2018 at her home in the Animas Valley in Durango, CO. She was 92 years old. She is survived by her children John Watters (wife Nancy), Mary Jo Watters Gage (deceased husband Randy) and Donna Lee Watters Pettingill (husband Richard). She is also survived by grandchildren Melinda Gage Goodson, Bree Pettingill McDonald (husband...

Dec 9, 2018

Dec 8, 2018

James William LaRocca died December 8, 2018 at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, New Mexico. James was born to Vincent and Mildred LaRocco in Oak Park, Illinois. He attended Proviso High School in Maywood, Illinois. In his high school and college years, he was a wrestler. He attended Purdue University, where he participated in ROTC and Chicago Art...

Dec 8, 2018

Mary Kathleen (Connor) Leming, 84, of Durango, died 12/8/2018 Durango, Surrounded by family. Born 7/5/1934. She is survived by grandchildren: Talisa and Christopher Leming; Siblings: George and James P. Connor, and Joan Curtis; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ed, and a daughter, Marianne. A service...

Nov 30, 2018

Ignacio resident, Steven R. Herrera, Sr., passed on November 30, 2018, at home. The cause of death was not disclosed. Known as "Squanto, Willie, Jefe or Nino" and last but not least "Big Daddy," to his family and friends, he was born to Leona Red and Felix Chanio Herrera, on April 22, 1966. He graduated from Ignacio High School in...