Rocky Mountain Obituaries 10-5-09

Millicent “Millie” Sanger

Millicent “Millie” Sanger, of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away.

Adopted as a small girl by Katheryn and Al Enberg of the NI Ranch south of Saratoga, Wyo., now the Elk Hollow Ranch, she attended school in Saratoga, crossing the river on horseback to catch the bus.

Graduating from Saratoga HS in 1933, she attended the University of Kansas for two years, studying literature, history, oil painting, and watercolors. Always interested in antiques and interior design, she painted with watercolors until recently. She amazed everyone with her love of style, wearing her navy blue high heels until the end.

She married Charles J. Sanger, from an old Wyoming family, at a pretty home wedding Dec. 19, 1935 on the NI Ranch. After honeymooning at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, they lived at the Sanger Ranch on French Creek. Having one of the larger ranches in the county, Mrs. Sanger was interested in agricultural issues. She lived until her death on the Jack Creek Land and Cattle ranch at her parents' home west of Saratoga, which she and daughter Kathryn restored. Loving travel, she toured the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Asia. On one trip, she had an idea for a portable washboard for travelers. With a U.S. patent, Mrs. Sanger's “Rubit” was a great success, advertised in Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day.

Millie and her son Chuck purchased the French Creek Ranch in 1959, where she ran a successful hunting and fishing lodge. Over the years, she entertained many fascinating people, from Wall Street tycoons to government attorneys. She said His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and his entourage were delightful.

She is survived by her daughter Kathryn Sanger and Bob Swift, son Chuck Sanger and wife Barbara; two grandchildren, Att'y Ladd Sanger of Dallas, Drs. Shawndra Sanger Barry and Shawn Barry of Windsor, Colo.; and twin great-grandchildren Ellie and Austin Barry.

Services were held Sept. 25, 2009 at St. Barnabas Episcopal.

Internment took place at the Saratoga Cemetery and reception at the Saratoga Inn.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, (307) 577-4892, 333 South Beach, Casper, Wyo.

Helen L. Michael

Helen L. Michael, 94, of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away on September 23, 2009.

She was born on April 1, 1915 in Harrisburg, Pa. while her mother, Rebecca McKee Longworth, was visiting her family there. She was one of six children who grew up on ranches in Derby, Elizabeth, and Castle Rock, Colo.

As a widow in 1935, Helen found employment with the Agricultural Adjustment Service in Fort Collins and spent her weeks here and her weekends with family in Castle Rock. In Fort Collins, she met and married Frank W. “Bill” Michael; they later divorced. Helen spent the rest of her life as a single woman and worked for Western Electric until her retirement. She lived a life of variety and adventure and was a good friend to all. Helen worked most of her life as a homemaker, enjoying her family, raising and riding horses, league bowling, and her sorority, Epsilon Sigma Alpha.

She is survived by her son, Howard V. (Marlene) Lowell, Jr. of Fort Collins, Colo.; grandsons, Michael L. (Carlota) Lowell of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Scott T. (Annie) Lowell of Galeton, Colo.; four great-grandchildren, Patton W. Lowell, Joshua Lowell, Elisa Torez, and Jorel Torez.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Clay and Rebecca McKee Longworth; husband, Howard V. Lowell, Sr.; five brothers, all veterans of WWII: Henderson McKee Longworth, Jameson McKee Longworth, John Leon Longworth, Robert Alan Longworth, and Richard Lee Longworth.

Services were held September 30, 2009 in the Allnutt Drake Chapel.

Private interment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery, Denver, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colo., 80526.

Richard Dean Hanes

Richard Dean Hanes, 81, of Loveland, Colo., passed away September 27, 2009.

He was born on July 29, 1928 in Freedom, Neb., to Harvey Ellsworth and Fern (Blake) Hanes. He graduated from Stockville High School in Stockville, Neb. Richard married Catherine Clark on April 8, 1956 in Beaver City, Neb. He worked for many years as a farmer, then, he worked at Mawson Lumber and Loveland Lumber. Before retiring, he worked as a custodian at Ferguson High School. Richard loved animals. He loved to visit with people. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine “Kay” Hanes of Loveland, Colo.; daughters, Carol Sears and husband David of Elizabeth, Colo., and Sharon Kramer and husband Ron of Kearney, Neb.; brother, Robert Hanes of Gilcrest, Colo.; sister, Carol Arent of Red Feather Lakes, Colo.; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters.

Services were held on October 9, 2009 at Allnutt Funeral Service in Loveland, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dean Hanes Memorial Fund in care of Allnutt Funeral Service.

John Parker Nelson

John Parker Nelson, 85, of Denver, Colo., passed away September 18, 2009.

He was born on September 2, 1924, to Thomas D. and Eunice M. Nelson in Greenknoll, Colo. He was the youngest of six children.

He graduated from McClave High School and enrolled in Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo., at the age of 17. During the Christmas break of 1941, John left Alamosa and joined the United States Marine Corps. As a Marine Second Lieutenant following WWII, he served in the south Pacific and China.

John met his wife of nearly 63 years while refereeing a high school basketball tournament in Durango, Colo., where Sylvia Sweeney was a high school cheerleader. They were married on September 26, 1946 and returned to Alamosa where John earned all-conference honors in both basketball and football as well as teaming with Kenny Diller to win the conference tennis doubles title.

He graduated from Adams State in 1949 and was recalled into the Marine Corps serving more than a year during the Korean conflict.

John and Sylvia have lived in the Denver area since 1955 and John served as a sales manager and then executive with Encyclopedia Britannica. Following retirement in 1986, he was free to pursue avid interests in horsemanship, quail hunting, fly fishing and dog training.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia of Denver, Colo.; his four children, Kent, Keri, Shannon and Kim; three in-laws, Mona, KC, and Jasmine; six grandchildren, Ian, Alia, Jeff, Rob, Kayla and Lianna.

Cremation was conducted.

Inurnment with Military Honors was at the Fort Logan National Cemetery.

Dorothy B. Kuntz

Dorothy B. Kuntz, 70, of Otis, Colo., passed away Sept. 20, 2009, in Yuma, Colo.

She was born May 24, 1939 to Okal and Birdine (Webster) Churchill in Yuma, Colo. She attended the Otis School and graduated with the class of 1956. Shortly after her graduation, she married Charles Kuntz on June 10, 1956 at the Catholic Church in Yuma, Colo. Charles and Dorothy were blessed with 53 years together. They had two daughters, Deanna Pletcher and Brenda Clemente.

She worked at many different jobs. Her first and most important job was wife and homemaker along with mowing the Otis Cemetery for 42 years, drove truck for various farmers, owned and operated Enco Gas Station, ran a roto rooter service, helped with Spear Auction and worked side by side with her husband, Charles for 53 years.

Dorothy was the secretary of the Otis Alumni Association, a member of the Akron Women's Auxiliary and was the sexton of the Otis Cemetery. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, word puzzles and working in her yard. She loved to go camping and fishing. She enjoyed time spent with her family and especially her great-grandchildren, Page and Cole.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Kuntz of Otis, Colo.; two daughters, Deanna Pletcher and husband, Wayne and Brenda Clememte and husband, Don; grandchildren, Amber Pletcher and husband, Tony, Kevin and Eric Brown; great-grandchildren, Page and Cole; brother, Vern Churchill and wife, Toots; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Okal and Birdine Churchill, her sister, Darlene Marr and two infant sons at birth.

Services were held September 23, 2009 at the First Presbyterian church in Otis, Colo.

Interment was in the Otis Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian church of Otis and the Otis Cemetery.

Alvin G. Treiber

Alvin G. Treiber, 89, of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away September 30, 2009, at the Centre Avenue Health and Rehab Center.

He was born February 10, 1920 in Bismark, North Dakota to George and Freida Treiber.

Alvin married Florence Treiber on October 16, 1943 in North Dakota.

He has lived in Fort Collins since 1952. He farmed in the Laporte, Bellvue, and Fort Collins area. Alvin managed West Fort Collins Water District, and was the 1st National Bank Agriculture Field Representative.

He is survived by his wife, Florence Treiber; son, Ron Treiber, of Fort Collins, Colo.; daughters, Sharon Culbertson, of Parker, Colo., and Janice Hoover, of Fort Collins, Colo.; a sister, Ida Langer, of Hebron, N. D.; seven grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

Private Graveside Services were held at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Pathways Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Ft. Collins, Colo. 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.

Shirley M. Ebert

Shirley M. Ebert, 85, of Loveland, Colo, passed away on September 25, 2009 at her home with her daughters by her side.

She was born on February 26, 1924 in Columbus, Neb. to Jack and Edna Lehman.

She married Chuck Ebert on December 10, 1948 in Denver, Colo. She was a Retired Registered Nurse. Shirley was a wonderful person and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Lyn Ebert and Jan Bealer, both of Loveland, Colo.; adored granddaughter, Tracy Bealer of Charleston, S.C.; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Bob Ohman; special nephews, Robert (Claire) and Dave Ohman.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.