Rocky Mountain Obituaries 11-23-09

Patty Wickstrom

Patty Wickstrom, 46, of Fort Morgan, Colo., passed away November 16, 2009 at Rose Medical Center from cancer.

She was born on March 30, 1963 to Gerry and Diane Baugh. She married her high school sweetheart, Cary Wickstrom, on June 1, 1985 in St. Helena's Catholic Church in Fort Morgan, Colo.

Besides being very involved on the family farm as the office manager, Patty was active in countless organizations. She served on the Weldon Valley Accountability Committee, did the books for the Weldon Valley Ditch Board and was treasurer for the Weldon Valley Athletic Booster Club. She also served on the parish council of the St. Helena's Catholic Church and taught catechism for many years. She was an active member of the St. Francis Catholic Church and was invaluable in helping plan their 100th anniversary just recently. Patty has also been very involved in the success of the Morgan County's Relay for Life for the past four years as a co-chairperson. She was also a member of the Beta Epsilon Sorority and various prayer groups.

Patty's true love was her family and friends. She and her husband were always seen at their daughters many school events and she was always the first to volunteer to help. She had a deep and abiding faith that has seen her family, friends, and community through some hard times. Her beautiful smile and laugh will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Cary, and two daughters, Leigha and Tara; her sister Sheryl and husband Bill Groves of Orchard, Colo.; brother David Baugh and friend, Sheila Wilts of Orchard, Colo.; step-mother Bernie Baugh of Greeley, Colo.; step-sister Doreen Green of Greeley, Colo.; step-brothers Doug Green of Salida, Colo., Dale Green and wife Rhonda of Kimball, Neb. and Danny Green and wife Tammy of Evans, Colo.; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by both parents, Gerry and Diane Baugh.

Services were held November 20 at St. Helena's Church.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Francis Catholic Church or Morgan County Relay for Life C/O Heer and Dahl Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, Colo., 80701.

Robert Clement (Bob) Diamond

Robert Clement (Bob) Diamond, 86, of Akron, Colo., passed away on November 11, 2009 at the Washington County Nursing Home.

He was born on November 19, 1922 in Akron, Colo. He was the fifth child of James and Jennie (Delehanty) Diamond. He attended Akron schools and graduated with the class of 1941.

In September, 1949 Bob married Mary Sharp at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Ft. Morgan, Colo. There were 10 children born to this union.

When Bob was 29 years old, he took full responsibility for managing the family farm after his father's sudden death. He was extremely proud of his heritage and loved sharing the story of his granddad, Daniel Diamond's journey from Ireland to 160 acres of land northeast of Akron that he acquired through the Homestead Act in 1893. It was a privilege to him to be the third generation to farm this ground and to expand the farm over time. Diamond Farms was recently recognized as being a Colorado Centennial Farm by the Washington County Farm Bureau. Bob was active in the National Farmer's Organization, Soil Conservation Service and a member of the FFA Advisory Committee at Akron High School. Bob was also very involved in the activities at the Catholic Church.

Bob had a calm demeanor, an easy smile and a very witty sense of humor. He led by example, and never expected anyone to do anything that he wouldn't do himself. He was not quick to judge; he was a very tolerant person and never said an unkind word about anyone. The simple things in life were most important to him. He loved a sunrise, a soft rain, a bumper wheat crop, a game of horseshoes or a hand of pitch. He strummed his guitar and wrote in a journal nearly every night. He was a fan of the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies but his favorite team of all was the Akron Ram football team, particularly the years his sons and grandsons were playing. He had a happy heart, a strong faith in God and a positive outlook even when the going got tough.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary, four sons, Dick and wife Donna, Steve and wife Kandy, and Bob all of Akron, Colo.; Pat and wife, Marleen, of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; and six daughters, Ellen and husband, Scott Allen, Mary Kay and husband, Paul Foy all of Ogallala, Neb.; Peg and husband, Butch Nally, of Garden City, Kan.; Jane and husband, Robert Martin of Conifer, Colo.; Joan and husband, Don Sims, of Strasburg, Colo.; and Gina and husband, Dave McGrail of Denver, Colo.; 20 grandchildren, Jill, Jim, Chris and Stephanie, Joel and Jennifer, Travis, Kalyn and Karli Diamond; Tristan, Taylor and Caitlin Foy; Kelsey and Megan Steward; Grant, Abe and Stella Martin; Liesel, Reed and Mariel Sims; and Caroline and Joseph McGrail and three great-grandchildren Isaac, Riley and Carson Diamond; one sister, Jean Rose Krause of Otis, Colo., and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother James, three sisters, Margaret Story, Dolly Mollohan, and Rita Schrader and his son-in-law, Stacy Steward.

Services were held on November 16, 2009 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Akron, Colo.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Washington County Nursing Home or Catholic Charities.

Sam S. Vigil

Sam S. Vigil, 86, of Milliken, Colo., passed away November 15, 2009 at his home.

He was born to Nicanor and Andrillita (Gomez) Vigil of Questa, N.M. In his younger days he worked road construction helping build the highways to Estes Park, Black Hawk and other major passes. He also helped build the Gross Reservoir. He worked in the shipyards in Washington and Oregon for a short time. He retired from the Johnstown Sugar Factory in1985. Sam was always a leader and has never been afraid of risks. He accomplished many things in life. He spent his last years enjoying his family and animals.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Genevieve Vigil; sons Bill of Milliken, Colo., and Sam Jr. of Mountain Home, Ark.; daughter, Ilene Weakley of Buna, Texas; one sister; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Sam was preceded in death by daughters Helen Vigil and Betty Ortiz.

Services were held November 18, 2009

at Adamson Funeral and Cremation Services, Greeley, Colo.

Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Clifford Carroll

Clifford Carroll, 69, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away November 9, 2009 of cancer at St. Elias Hospital in Anchorage.

He was born July 16, 1940 in Ault, Colo., to Richard and June Carroll.

He moved to Alaska in 1961.

Clifford was a Truck Driver and worked at Spenard Builder's Supply from 1969 until he retired in 2001.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports.

His family wrote: “Clifford enjoyed spending time with his family and grandkids. He especially enjoyed going to the grandkid's hockey games and their other sporting events.”

He is survived by his wife Gwen Carroll; daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Jim Branch; daughter, Toni Bloemer; sons, Guy and Jason Carroll; son and daughter-in-law, Kieth and Patty Carroll; granddaughter, Casey Branch; grandsons, Cole Bloemer and Jake Branch and brother, Dale Carroll.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ted Carroll.

Services were held Nov. 15, 2009 at the Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check St. in Wasilla, Alaska.

Virginia J. Rose

Virginia J. Rose, 88, of Eagle, Colo., passed away Nov. 6 in Glenwood Springs, Colo.

She was born on Dec. 3, 1920 to Leonard Deck and Eunice Arvilla Shook in Cougar, Okla. As the oldest child in the family, she often helped out with her four younger siblings.

Virginia was an active member of the Eagle community for more than 40 years. She was widely known as a do'er — a neighbor who could always be counted on to volunteer her time, offer an opinion or assist a friend in need.

On July 1, 1940, she married Gerald Rose. The couple made their home in Wheat Ridge. They had one child, son Ronald Rose.

“Virginia was very proud of working at Montgomery Ward for 30 years and moving up through the various departments,” said long-time friend Katie Harper.

From the time she was a girl, Virginia always had an especially soft spot in her heart for children, Harper continued. At her home, she displayed dozens of photographs of local kids and family members. “When she had a little child on her lap, Virginia just lit up,” offered Harper.

One of Virginia's final contributions to the community was to donate money for a new playground at the Eagle Methodist church. “Its very fitting since she loved kids so much that her memorial is a playground,” said Harper.

Gerald and Virginia moved to Eagle in 1977. Gerald was an avid beekeeper who kept their hives at locations throughout Colorado including the Eagle Valley. The couple ultimately decided to retire in the Eagle area. But retirement wasn't slow for the Roses, especially for Virginia.

“Virginia always felt badly about not graduating from high school,” said Harper. “So when she learned about a local program, she went back to school and earned her GED. Then for 12 years, she taught GED classes. Through the years, people would call her and to say if it hadn't been for her, they never would have graduated.”

Harper noted that many people experienced Virginia's financial generosity, but even more were enriched by her gifts of time and talent.

For 30 years, Virginia was a regular volunteer at the Eagle Valley Community Fund Rummage Sale. She literally volunteered thousands of hours and earned $1,000s for local charities, especially the senior community.

She was a stalwart presence for the Eagle County Seniors program. She worked on the regional advisory councils and helped out with dozens of programs. She routinely collected and dropped off clothing at the center. Her friends at the program will deeply miss her.

“She gave me clothes and money when I needed it and paid for me to participate in trips,” offered her friend Jeanie. “She was a dear friend and I loved her.”

“She was generous to a fault, really,” said sister-in-law Carolyn Shook.

Virginia was also generous with her opinions. “Part of her charm was when she had an opinion, she shared it with people who counted instead of just talking over the back fence,” said Harper. “And if she said she would stand behind you, she stood behind you.”

As the years advanced, Virginia's eyesight failed. But even after she was declared legally blind, she managed to stay active. She was a proud Methodist and a gifted painter. She was a member of the local United Methodist Women, the Red Hat Society, a church hobby club and more. She could often be seen around town, visiting with friends.

“She had one friend — Tom Ehrenberg — who always said ‘Here comes trouble' when he saw her. She thought that was petty cute,” said Carolyn Shook.

Virginia really had two families — her family by blood and her family of friends in Eagle. And in her later years, her pug “Ginger” was a special companion.

She is survived by her son Ronald Rose of California, brother Leonard Shook Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Northglenn, Colo.; brother Elwin Shook and his wife Ruth of Post Fall, Idaho; sister Adwina “Eddie” Gasper of Brighton, Colo.; numerous nieces and nephews and her extended Eagle family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Gerald, in 1996, her sister, Beulah “Billy” McDonald and her husband Elwood and her brother-in-law, Donald Gasper.

Services were held Nov. 12, 2009. at the United Methodist Church of Eagle Valley.

Memorial contributions made be made in Virginia's name to the United Methodist Church of Eagle Valley.