Front Range Obituaries

Ted Magnuson

Ted Magnuson, age 56, of Eaton, Colo., died June 14, 2008, at his home.

He was born on Jan. 26, 1952, in Greeley, Colo., to Gordon F. and Margaret (Carlson) Magnuson. He grew up opn the family farm near Eaton. He is a fourth generation farmer. He graduated from Highland High School in Ault, Colo., and later Colorado State University with a degree in Ag Education.

Following his graduation, Ted returned to the family farm and farmed with his father.

On March 5, 1982, he married Susan L. Anderson at the Eaton Evangelical Free Church. This date was also his parents’ anniversary, and his Grandma and Grandpa Carlson’s anniversary. To this union were born two sons, Tim and Jim.

Ted was a cattle feeder. He loved everything about the cattle business. He farmed to support his cattle feeding habit.

Ted was very active in his community. He was an active member of the Highland Community Church in Nunn, Colo. He served on the Agland board of directors for 27 years, and was currently serving as vice-president. He was an original member of the Centennial Banks board of directors and was currently serving on the Farmer’s Bank Board. He served on the Weld County Livestock board for over 30 years, and was a past president. He was a 30-year 4-H leader for Wyatt Ag 4-H. He was a member of the Highland Service Club, the T-Bone Club (past president), the Eaton Pioneer Society (past president), Colorado Cattlemen (currently serving on the feeder committee), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (currently serving on the Live Marketing Committee) and Farm House fraternity.

Ted is survived by his wife, Susie; sons Tim and Jim; sisters Carolyn and husband John Sutter, and Janice and husband Ken Sudduth; four nephews; seven nieces, and two special great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services were held on June 17 in Eaton, with interment at Eaton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Highland FFA in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th Street, Greeley, Colo., 80631. Friends may view an online obituary, sign the guest book and leave condolences at www.allnutt.com.

Helen Leona (Haskell) Akey

Helen Leona (Haskell) Akey, age 94, a lifelong resident of the Wray, Colo., area, died May 15, 2008, at Hillcrest Care Center.

She was born to George and Clara (Schwab) Haskell on their farm 14 miles southeast of Wray in the Beecher Island area. She attended a rural school near her home, but attended high school in Wray, staying in town and working for her room and board. Leona, with her brother, George, and sister Evelyn, were members of the first Yuma County 4-H club.

Leona married Melvin Akey on July 11, 1933, in St. Francis, Kan. They made their home on Melvin’s parents’ place in the Vernon area. To this union, four children were born: Ronald, Caroline, Bernard and Rodney.

Leona was a hard worker and did farm work along with her husband. Together they raised hogs, mules, horses, cows, chickens, wheat and various feed crops. They also sold eggs and cream to the creameries in Wray and Yuma. As a family, they enjoyed watching ball games in Vernon and coming to Wray on Saturdays.

After Melvin passed away in 1967, Leona moved to town. She enjoyed her yard work and taking drives in her various cars, with her Delta 88 Oldsmobile, the best remembered. She was a good cook, but in her later years she couldn’t cook anymore without fresh cream and eggs. Leona also enjoyed bowling on a league with friends.

She made her home at Hillcrest Care Center since 2001 after a broken hip made it impossible for her to manage on her own.

Leona is survived by her children: Ronald M. Akey and wife Mildred of Haigler, Neb., Caroline and husband Willard Roedel of McCook, Neb., Bernard E. Akey and Judy Wilson, Rodney E. Akey and Kathy Fonte; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Melvin; brothers George, Ernest, Gerald, Ralph and Bernard; sisters Wilda, Evelyn, and Zella, and a grandson.

Services were held in Wray on May 19. She was laid to rest next to her husband at Glendale Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Glendale Cemetery Committee of Vernon, or Hillcrest Care Center.

Alta (Hicks) Bertiaux

Alta (Hicks) Bertiaux, age 97, of Byers, Colo., died March 24, 2008, in Denver, Colo.

She was born in Era, Texas, on Aug. 12, 1910, to Joseph and Lucy (Pyle) Franks. Lucy became ill a few years later, and the family traveled to Hot Springs, Ark., by covered wagon so Lucy could take advantage of the healing springs.

In 1927, Alta met and married James M. Hicks of Leader, Colo., and they made their home in Colorado. They spent the Depression years and most of the Dust Bowl era near Byers. Alta sold vegetables, honey, chickens, eggs and cream to local establishments. Alta also drove school bus, was active in her children’s school, church and community affairs, and was very active in Adams County politics. She frequently wrote articles for the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News editorial pages. She was a vocal member of the Farmers Union at the county level and in the capitol in Denver.

Jim and Alta raised eight children: Verna Ashley, Eleanor Ashley, Joe (E.S.) Hicks, Gloria Ferrel Mclellan, J. Lowell Hicks, Larry A. Hicks, James (Edward) Hicks and Barbara Richards.

In 1960, Alta became a Licensed Practical Nurse at Porter Memorial Hospital. In 1961, Jim and Alta divorced, and she moved to Denver. He died in 1975.

In 1963, Alta married Guy E. Bertiaux and in partnership they bought Petite Flower and Gift Shoppe in the Denver Hospital District. They married in 1968 and continued their business partnership until his death in 1978. She sold the shop to a son-in-law, Lee J. Ashley in 1979. She continued to work at the shop until she was nearly 80.

She continued to be active in politics, serving as an election judge at every election from 1936 to 1996. She and her husband Guy were active in the Masonic Lodge in Knight’s Templar and Daughters of the Nile, respectively. She continued to be active in the Lodge after his death. She was also active in the women’s group of the Cameron United Methodist Church.

In 1980, Alta married Merwyn E. Schoonover in Denver. He became ill and died of a massive heart attack in a Denver hospital. She had been a bride for two weeks.

Alta was a remarkable horsewoman, a too-fast auto driver, an animal lover, had a wondrous green thumb, a nurse, a business woman, and was brilliant with crossword puzzles and dominoes. She had a great sense of humor every day of her life. She will be and is missed.

Alta leaves to mourn her passing: five children: Verna M. Ashley, Eleanor L. Ashley, J. Lowell Hicks, Larry A. Hicks, and Barbara H. Richards, and her children-in-law, Helen Hicks Sinclair, Joyce Hicks, Betty Hicks, Doug Mclellan and Jim Winston; 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Joseph D. Franks.

Alta was buried in Highland Hills Cemetery in Thornton, Colo.

Bryan L. Kirkmeyer

Bryan L. Kirkmeyer, age 46, of Fort Collins, Colo., died unexpectedly at his home on May 14, 2008.

He was born on Jan. 9, 1962, in Brighton, Colo., to C. Duane Kirkmeyer and Bernice (Salamonski) Kirkmeyer. He was raised in the Brighton, Fort Lupton area. He graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1980. Sports were a large part of his life, especially baseball. Ping pong, foosball and pinball with family and friends were always welcomed.

Bryan was active in 4-H, showing dairy and beef cattle. Sleeping out under the stars on the lawn was a favorite activity for Bryan. Often when morning came, he had a new friend, a dog. The dog would stay for a few days, then disappear.

Bryan’s nieces and nephew were the light of his life.

Survivors include his parents; two brothers, Duane C. Kirkmeyer and Gregory D. Kirkmeyer (Mary Maxwell) and grandmother Olga Tarasuk, all of Brighton; a nephew, Clayton E. Kirkmeyer (Robyn Barnes) of Jacksonville Beach, Fla.; nieces Kate J. Kirkmeyer of Fort Lupton, Caroline A. Kirkmeyer of Brighton, Gabrielle Maxwell Kirkmeyer, also of Brighton, and one grand-niece, Amelia Kirkmeyer of Jacksonville Beach, Fla.; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A memorial service was held on May 30 in Brighton.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bryan’s name to Denver Rescue Mission’s Harvest Farm, P.O. Box 5206, Denver, Colo., 80217.