Donald Dean Witzel

Donald Dean Witzel, 70, of Burlington, Colo., passed away October 16, 2009.

He was born on October 10, 1939, in Goodland, Kan., to Franklin Leroy Witzel and Julia Lenore Pettibone Witzel. Dean, as he was known, lived the first two years of his life on a small farm north of Peconic.

The family moved in 1940 to what became known as the “home place.” The ranch/farm was located 15 miles southwest of Burlington where the family raised irrigated corn, wheat, a herd of Hereford cattle, and horses. Dean obtained his education and high school diploma, Class of 1957, in the Burlington School system. He was active in FFA as a member of the judging teams and as an officer, receiving the DeKalb award his senior year. He took part in drama, both on stage and in the wings. He also received the Harrison Award his senior year at graduation. It was during his high school years, Dean developed a passion for the game of football; his love and dedication to the sport earned him an academic and sports scholarship to Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., where he left his mark and earned his place in the starting line up as a freshman.

Prior to starting his college experience, Dean married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Dobler, on August 18, 1957, at the First Christian Church, in Burlington, Colo. Together Dean and Bonnie started their journey with their belongings packed in the back seat of Dean's green 1953 Mercury, and haven't looked back since.

He studied and played football, hunted deer, and learned the ups and downs of mountain living. Following class finals and the end of the football season, Dean and Bonnie made the decision to move back to Burlington and go into farming and ranching, Dean's second passion.

1961 brought the family of four to a new farm/ranch 17 miles southwest of Burlington, located on the Smokey River. For the next 18 years, the family grew and changed as the fought the elements and learned more of life's lessons.

Dean encouraged all three kids to participate and develop their skills in 4-H. He was a leader throughout their years in the Fairview and Sunshine 4-H clubs. He continued as Beef Superintendent for many years after, holding to the belief that every member deserved a chance for success.

The November 1970 local elections placed Dean on the RE 6-J school board. His dedication to youth and the community allowed him to serve two terms on the board and personally hand high school diplomas to Doug and Dena.

In 1974, the Burlington Jaycees bestowed the honor of Outstanding Youth Farmer upon Dean. His accomplishments in farming and ranching earned him third place at the state level. 1977 brought new challenges with the decline in the agriculture economy. The family regrouped and began plans for the new “home place” and Dean took the Assistant Manager position at Four Corners Fertilizer. He held this position for four years until the time was right for him to go back to full time farming and ranching. With the help of Bonnie and Doug, the plan took shape. They raised sheep, Great Pyrenees dogs, and were eventually able to get back to the cattle.

In March 2004, the address in Burlington became home. Dean learned about “town” life and some habits changed. His farming involved lawn mowing and container gardening ... the livestock included the neighborhood dogs, cats, squirrels, and birds. He will always be remembered for his quick wit and dry humor, his ornery looks and last, but not least, his famous “B-Club” paddle. He was always the organizer and boss on the site, directing the action and seeing it through the end, even it was from the driver's seat of the Suburban.

He is survived by wife of 52 years, Bonnie; daughter, Dena, and children Brian, Will, and Kacia; son, Donn Witzel, and wife, Kami, and their children, Morgan, Mason, and Braden; and Doug's children, Maggie, Mollie, and Mack Witzel.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lenore Witzel; brother, Gene Witzel; and son, Doug Witzel.

Services were held on October 20, 2009 at the First Christian Church.

Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington.

Memorials may be made in Dean's name to the Dean Witzel Memorial Scholarship Fund and may be left at Bank of Burlington in Burlington.

Helen Leinweber

Helen Leinweber, 92, of Johnstown, Colo., passed away Oct. 22, 2009, at The Sterling House in Greeley, Colo.

She was born June 29, 1917, in Greeley to Jacob and Katherine (Kammerzell) Lenhart. On July 3, 1938, she married Adam Leinweber.

Helen was a member of Christ Congregational Church in Longmont, where she was very active and taught Sunday school. She was a foster mother for 41 children (mostly infants) for 25 years and she had a gift for caring for them. She was awarded Johnstown's outstanding woman of the year in 1975 and she was the runner-up for Colorado mother of the year award in 1976. She enjoyed gardening, reading, crocheting, knitting, and her grandchildren, especially enjoying their sports activities.

She is survived by her daughters Janet and husband John Liniger and Joyce and husband Ron Klein all of Johnstown, Colo.; six grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and one brother.

Services were held October 27, 2009 at Christ Congregational Church in Longmont, Colo.

Interment was in the Johnstown Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Valley Hospice or Christ Congregational Church c/o Carroll-Lewellen Funeral and Cremation Services.

June Hope Rose

June Hope Rose, 36, of Eden, Wyo., passed away September 24, 2009 due to complications from surgery.

She was born March 19, 1973 in Rock Springs, Wyo., to Charles and Dianne Schanno.

June attended school in Rock Springs where she met the love of her life and best friend, Jeffrey Alam Rose, they were married November 10, 1990. They resided in Rock Springs until 2004 when they moved to Eden, Wyo.

She spent most of her time riding, racing and training her barrel horses. In her spare time she loved to fish, play with her cats and dogs and her favorite was chatting with friends and family.

She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Alan Rose of Eden, Wyo.; her parents, Charles and Dianne Schanno of Superior, Wyo.; three brothers, Raymond Schanno and wife Kathy of Billings, Mont., Roanld Schanno of Rock Springs, Wyo. and Jimmy Kelly and wife Doris of Ky.; her sister, Elaine Rose and husband Kenneth of Eden, Wyo.; grandmother Helen Brown of Billings, Mont.; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her family will miss her everyday, her smile, her encouragement and her hugs!

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Francis and Thelma Schanno and Raymond Brown.

Services were held October 1, 2009 at the Sweetwater Events Complex Indoor Arena in Rock Springs, Wyo.

Burial was in the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to The June Rose Memorial Fund c/o Rock Springs National Bank, 200 2nd St, Rock Springs, Wyo., 82901.

Mary Jon (Jonnie) Chandler

Mary Jon (Jonnie) Chandler, 86, passed away October 25 at her home.

She was born January 12, 1923, to L. L. Thomas and Lena Buchanan Thomas in Broadway, N.C.; her southern grace and accent were hallmarks throughout her 86 years.

Jonnie graduated from Greensboro College, Greensboro, N.C., and began teaching third grade at age 20. When Mary Jon went on a road trip with her girlfriends who were headed to Fort Collins to enroll at CSU, she had no idea she would meet her life partner, Glenn A. “Spud” Chandler. Jonnie and Spud were married on September 18, 1947, in Sanford, N.C. Spud and Jonnie made Ft. Collins their home in 1947. Jonnie's true joy came from being a caring wife and mom for Spud and their children. Her love for others found a very special outlet through her cooking and entertaining; and she was very often the first to prepare a delicious meal for someone in need.

Jonnie was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, as well as Chapter “G” of P.E.O. For over 50 years, she was a stalwart in both her bridge club and her book club; and she also volunteered many hours at Poudre Valley Hospital. Both Spud and Jonnie remained very involved in the Fort Collins community. They were long-time loyal Ram fans. In 2001, the Chandlers set up a Lead Trust that established two full-ride scholarships, one for Agricultural Sciences and the other for CSU Athletics. Although Spud died only a year after setting up the Chandler Family Trust, Mary Jon stayed actively involved with CSU and their scholarship recipients.

She is survived by a son Tom (Lindsey) Chandler, and a daughter Suanne (Tom) Sampson, all of Fort Collins, Colo.; grandchildren Whitney (C. C.) Morse of Brentwood, Calif., Wade Chandler of Sioux Falls, SD, Kristy Sampson and Erik Sampson of Fort Collins, Colo.; Jonnie also leaves her dearly loved silky terrier, “Spud.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Spud on Sept. 3, 2002.

No services were conducted. A private family gathering to celebrate her life will be held at a later date.

Contributions in Mary Jon's memory may be made to Pathways Hospice, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 West Drake Road, Ft. Collins, Colo., 80526.

Shawn Allen Loeffler

Shawn Allen Loeffler, 39, of Greeley, Colo., passed away October 3, 2009.

He was born in La Junta, Colo., to Allen Norman Loeffler and Sandra Lee Loeffler.

Shawn graduated from Swink High School and Colorado State University in construction management.

He lived on a ranch helping his dad take care of cattle. He loved mending fences, taking care of cattle as well as playing football and basketball. He loved the outdoors whether it was on the job site or camping and fishing with his kids.

Shawn will be greatly missed but will always be in our hearts.

He is survived by his children, Ashley Loeffler, Adam Loeffler, Elayna Loeffler; stepson, Kaleb Caddy; his mother, Sandra Loeffler, and step-dad, Joe Rains; a sister and brother-in-law, Terri and Stephen Powers; a great loving aunt, Sharon Loeffler; stepsister, Tessa and husband; stepbrother, Bill and wife plus numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Allen Loeffler.

A memorial service was held Oct. 9, 2009 at Christ Community Church.

The family would like thank everyone who came to celebrate Shawn's life with us.

Isabel Louise Peninger

Isabel Louise Peninger, 54, of Windsor, Colo., passed away Oct. 14, 2009, in Loveland, Colo.

She was born May 12, 1955, to Manual and Eufiacia (Encinias) Olivas in Pueblo.

She graduated from Mesa High School in Mesa, Ariz. She married Jack Peninger on May 15, 1981, in Mesa, Ariz.

Isabel worked at Kodak Colorado in Windsor for 19 years until 2004. She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Windsor. She enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Jack Peninger of Windsor, Colo.; sons Robert (Telicia) Peninger of Loveland, Colo., Joey (Tanae) Peninger and Scottie Peninger both of Windsor, Colo.; five grandchildren, Jordan Rodriguez, Braden Peninger, Jayda Peninger, Tristan Peninger and Anthony Peninger; two brothers; and three sisters.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother.

Services were held October 19, 2009 in Windsor, Colo.

Interment was in the Fort Logan National Cemetery.