Rocky Mountain Obituaries 11-16-09

Cecil LaVerne Hansen

Cecil LaVerne Hansen, “Pete” 86, of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away October 31, 2009.

He was born to Jesse G. and Grace (Dick) Hansen on July 16, 1923 in Brandon, Neb. Pete was raised southeast of Venango, Neb. He attended Chase County High School at Imperial, Neb., and farmed with his father until June 1944 when he joined the Navy. He served aboard the USS Clinton in the Pacific until he was honorably discharged in June 1946. Upon returning from the Navy, Pete returned back to Venango, Neb., to farm with his dad during the summer and worked at Gates Rubber Company in Denver, Colo., during the winter months. While in Denver, Pete met Marlys Folkers from Des Moines, Iowa.

Pete and Marlys were married June 15, 1947 in Denver, Colo. In 1949, they bought and moved to a farm located southwest of Holyoke, Colo., near the Wages community. It was here that their two sons were born, Dale Eugene on October 13, 1949 and Keith Alan on October 11, 1950. While farming Southwest of Holyoke, Colo., the Hansen's also ranched in the South St. Vrain Canyon West of Lyons, Colo., and later bought the Spring Creek Ranch Southwest of Laramie, Wyo. After selling the Spring Creek Ranch, Pete and Marlys moved to Ft. Collins, Colo., and later owned and operated the Executive Car Wash for 10 years. Pete was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion and enjoyed going to Cheyenne Frontier Days every year, especially when the grandchildren were younger. His favorite event was the bullriding and he couldn't miss the free pancake breakfast or the parade.

His greatest pride and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marlys of Ft. Collins, son Dale and wife Shelley of Burlington, Colo., son Keith and wife Celeste of Ft. Collins, grandchildren Marcy Clements and husband Rich of Arvada, Colo., Mindy Stewart and husband John of Johnstown, Colo., Jeremy Hansen and wife Whitney of Burlington, Colo., and Josh Hansen and friend Stacia Goble of Denver, Colo.; step-grandchildren Mary and Matthew Belcher of Fort Collins; great-grandchildren Natasha and Colton Clements of Arvada, Colo., Hunter and Hayden Morris of Johnstown, Colo., and Lear Hansen of Burlington, Colo; sister-in-law Pat Folkers of Cincinnati, Ohio, brother-in-law Lee Folkers and wife Bev of Des Moines, Iowa, and sister-in-law Lucinda Palma and husband Victor of Santa Anna, Calif.; niece Olive Fay Keefer and husband Ken of Denver, Colo., and nephew Dennis Hogsett and wife Karen of Loveland, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jesse G. and Grace Hansen, his sister Twila Hogsett, brother-in-law Oliver Hogsett, and brother-in-law Merlin Folkers.

Services were held November 14, 2009 at the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Loveland, Colo.

Roger G. Herman

Roger G. Herman, 74, of North Platte, Neb., passed away November 9, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born May 6, 1935 in Yuma, Colo., to Frank and Viola (Ferguson) Herman. Roger graduated in 1953 from Yuma Union High School. He was active in FFA, High School Rodeo, and 4-H. He attended Colorado A & M (Colorado State University) during the fall of 1953. He married Janice Sample on August 15, 1954. The couple had three daughters: Crystal, Teri, and Lisa.

Along with partners Vern Haruf, Wayne Mekelburg, and his brother Stan Herman, Roger owned and operated Mill Iron Diamond Cattle Company, a large diversified agriculture business. The company farmed both dry and irrigated land, fed custom yearlings, and had a cow-calf operation. They were also involved in a partnership with Mid 5 Feedlot and Yuma Dairy.

Roger married Lucille Bryant on January 19, 1983. They spent 26 years living in five western states working in the cattle business. They worked for Lucky Hereford Ranch, Producers Livestock, Frank Booth Livestock, and North Platte Feeders.

Roger served on the Board of Directors of Yuma County Cattlemen, Production Credit Association, Colorado Brand Commission, Yuma County Fair Board, Northeast Quarter Horse Association, Colorado Cattle Feeders, and was superintendent of the National Western Stock Show Draft Horse Pull. He was a lifetime member of the International Feedlot Cowboys Association (IFCA). Roger was an avid horseman who loved to team rope and was a true stockman who never met a stranger. He enjoyed traveling throughout the western United States buying cattle and networking with other cattle producers.

He is survived by his daughters Crystal (Joel) Nelson of Sterling, Colo., Teri (Randy) Mekelburg of Yuma, Colo., and Lisa (Steve) Shinn of Sterling, Colo.; step-daughters Julie (Javan) Ottoson of Denver, Colo., and Marta (Shawn) Leonard of Littleton, Colo.; brother Stan (Donna) Herman of LaSalle, Colo.; sister-in-law Irene (Charles) Thomas of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren Paige and Kali Mekelburg, Haley Faulkner, Wyatt and Jordan Nelson, Stephanie Mulder, Megan Stull, Andy and Alexis Shinn, Casey Mekelburg, and Hannah and Paige Ottoson; and great-grandchildren Lauralie Faulkner, Ryan, Keara and Ashlyn Mulder, and Aiden Shinn.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lucille (March 1, 2009) and his grandson Brady Farrell (May 13, 2008).

Services were held November 18, 2009 at The Presbyterian Church in Yuma, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Great Plains Regional Medical Center Hospice in North Platte, Neb.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Robert W. Trimble

Robert W. Trimble, 87, of Greeley, Colo., passed away November 10, 2009 at his home.

He was born June 29, 1922 to Hugh and Fern (Carroll) Trimble in Pierce, Colo.

He served during World War II with the United States Army in the Pacific Theater Area from 1942 to 1946.

Robert had a dragline excavation business for many years, and was a farmer and rancher. He retired from the State of Colorado as a heavy equipment operator.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Trimble of Greeley, Colo.; son, Allan Trimble of Saint Francis, Kan.; sister, Lola Richardson of Greeley, Colo.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Adams Trimble; daughter, Bobetta Dilka; parents; a sister and three brothers.

Services were held November 13, 2009 at Adamson Chapel, Greeley, Colo.

Interment was at Linn Grove Cemetery in Greeley, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society in care of Adamson Funeral and Cremation Services, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, Colo. 80634.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.adamsonchapels.com.

Jean P. “Jeanie” Deter

Jean P. “Jeanie” Deter, 71, of Salinas, Calif., passed away on her 71st birthday November 8, 2009 in Monterey, Calif.

She was born on November 8, 1938 in Kremmling, Colo., to Frank and Millie Pickering. She grew up on her family's cattle ranch on the Williams Fork, near the town of Parshall, Colo. Jeanie graduated from Kremmling High School and later attended Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, graduating with a degree in microbiology in 1960. While at CSU, Jeanie met Gary Deter. They married after graduation and soon moved to Salinas to establish the Large Animal Veterinary Service on Highway 68.

She was an active partner in the veterinary clinic for many years prior to Gary's retirement. Jeanie and Gary shared a passion for thoroughbred race horses and owned many successful race horses over the years. She enjoyed gourmet cooking, flower arranging and loved her family, dear friends and all of her animals.

She is survived by her husband, Gary; her son, Phil (Shana) Deter, and their daughter Caitlyn of Longmont, Colo.; daughter, Ande (George) Manos of Santa Maria, Calif.; sister, Joy (Bill) Raley of Grand Junction, Colo.; brother, Ed (Mary Ann) Pickering of Longmont, Colo.

A private memorial service will be held by her family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Attn: Donor Services, PO Box 650309, Dallas, Texas, 75265-0309.

For online condolences please visit,

www.struveandlaporte.com.

Lewis Greenman

Lewis Greenman, 75, passed away October 26, in Amherst, Colo. He was three days short of his 76th birthday.

He was born at home to Robert and Frances Greenman in Pleasant Lake, Ind. As a child he grew up riding ponies and horses and helping with dairy cows. After graduation he joined the Army. He was stationed in Fort Carson, Colo. Lewis spent two winters with the last of the Mule Pack Battalion at Camp Hale. This is where he met and married Mary Alice LaGrow. They were married in Pleasant Lake, Ind., on Oct. 15, 1955 and later made their home there.

Lewis loved hunting, fishing and horse racing in Kalamazoo, Mich. He was in a very bad accident and he had a very long healing process. They moved to Barrington, Ill., where Lewis went to work at Fernwood Farm for A.C. Bueller, inventor of the golf cart. He trained and drove their pony hitch and moved and showed them all over the eastern states at parades and shows. After three years the Greenmans moved back to Indiana and Lewis went on the road driving the Hawthorne Farm Budweiser six horse teams all over from Chicago to Denver.

His father Robert had a heart attack and he came home to help him with the farm and dairy. Lewis moved his family to Colorado and he went to work for Gypsum Creek Ranch, farming range cattle and sheep.

In 1974 Lewis and Mary divorced. He left for Barstow, Calif., and then Logandale, Nev. He met Elaine Coffman and he worked for Wayne Newton. He later moved to Carbondale and worked for Coyote River Ranch when he retired. The couple then moved to New Castle. After retirement they spent their time visiting with all their children, hunting, fishing and four wheeling.

After his wife Elaine died and his health began failing, sons Kurtis and Kent moved him from New Castle to Amherst. In the week before his death his children were all able to see him and talk on the phone and know Kent always took very good care of him. He will be sadly missed by all.

He is survived by two sisters Dianna Jean (Bill) Clingan Huson Jr. and Loretta Smith Dunkirk; two step daughters, Tina (Eric) Hanson and Arian of Silt; Mary Lawrence Paul and Amanda and Kevin of New Castle; two sons, Kurtis (Dawn) Greenman and Jacob and Katie, Kent (Sharon) Greenman, Jason and Adam Wiehi of Amherst; three daughters, Kim (Rick) Olson and Vickie of Eagle, Kris (Bill) Whittaker and Kraig and Karla of Eagle, Karen (Norman) Carthy and Francis, Connie, Tony and Troy of Gypsum; and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and brother-in-law Fred Smith.

Edna Lenore Higbee

Edna Lenore Higbee, 82, passed away November 10, 2009 in Lakewood Colo.

She was born Dec. 3, 1926 in Emmons County N.D.

Upon moving to Colorado, she met Keith M. Higbee of Simla, Colo., and they were married in July 1949. After graduating from Seton School of Nursing in Colorado Springs, Colo., they moved to Golden, Colo., where she pursued her career as a Registered Nurse for many years while raising three boys.

Edna enjoyed all forms of needlework, playing Bridge with friends and was a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. Edna's proudest moments and accomplishments were her family and nursing career.

She is survived by her sons James and wife Patti of Simla, Colo., Kenneth and wife Beth of Claremont, Calif., Donald and wife Lana of Arvada, Colo., three grandchildren, Julie Nolasco, Jason Higbee and Jeremy Edmunds and one great-granddaughter Luna Nolasco; two brothers Neil and wife LaVetta of Boone, Colo., and John Whitney of Pueblo, Colo.; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends throughout the country.

She was preceded in death by her husband Keith M. Higbee and sister Grace McKnight; parents Leon and Anna Whitney.

Services were held at Olinger Woods Chapel in Golden, Colo.

Internment at Golden Cemetery, Golden, Colo.

Ruby Henderson

Ruby Henderson, 81, of Arriba, Colo., passed away November 5, 2009.

She was born December 3, 1927 in Marceline, Mo.

She resided in Arriba, Colo., which is a farming community on the Eastern Plains.

She is survived by her husband, John Henderson; her children, Linda McHale, Jane Henderson, Naomi (Rusty) Black; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by sons, Bill Henderson and Bobby Henderson.

Services were held November 10, 2009 in Thornton, Colo.

Interment was in the Longmont Mountain View Cemetery.