Stephen Bartow “Bart” Strang

Stephen Bartow “Bart” Strang, 81, of Meeker, Colo., passed away December 3, 2009 at the Pioneer Hospital in Meeker.

He was born on June 7, 1928, in New Hope, Pa., to Stephen B. Strang and Ellen (Lathrop) Strang. Bart spent his early years in Bucks County, Pa., and at the age of eight moved with his family to Ralston Creek Ranch near Golden, Colo. The remote location of the ranch necessitated home schooling for Bart and his brother Mike. Bart finished his secondary education with his senior year at Taft School, Watertown, Conn.

Bart spent a year at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo., before enlisting in the service on September 27, 1950. After returning from Germany where he fulfilled the terms of his enlistment, he extended his tour of duty and volunteered for service in the Korean conflict. In Korea he served as infantry Master Sergeant in a reconnaissance platoon of Headquarters Company, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, United States Army. Bart was highly decorated while in Korea, including two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He was wounded on Heartbreak Ridge on March 12, 1953, and discharged from the U.S. Army on June 27, 1953. Bart entered Princeton University on the GI Bill in September, 1953, and graduated with a BA in History in 1957. He was captain of Princeton's Heavyweight Crew. Many of his lifelong friends go back to Princeton years.

Bart and Mary Crocker, of Groton, Mass., were united in marriage on September 13, 1958 in Groton. Four girls, Mary, Ellen, Lisa and Sarah were born to them. The first years of marriage were spent on the family ranch at Ralston Creek, and in 1960 moved to Carbondale. They bought their first Hereford cattle in 1962 while ranching in Carbondale with Bart's brother Mike and friend Tom Turnbull. In 1968 they moved to their own place on West Sopris Creek at Basalt, Colo. In 1973 the family moved to Meeker where they continued their purebred cattle business. In addition to their registered and commercial cattle business, they had a summer program for teenagers where they served as surrogate parents to 40 teens for eight weeks. Each summer, the Strang family of six grew to 60 as everyone shared life on the ranch in the Colorado high country.

An avid historian and advocate for education, youth and community, Bart often volunteered his time in the classroom and shared experiences in the Korean War and his knowledge for history. Bart served his community and industry through a multitude of boards: two terms each on the Roaring Fork School District and Meeker School District; the Colorado Hereford Association; American Hereford Association; Rio Blanco County Coop, Yellow Jacket Conservation District to name a few. He believed in helping his fellow man, never passed up the opportunity to support kids and was a man of integrity, service and family.

Bart spent the last three years of his life as a resident of the Walbridge Wing in Meeker. The compassion and empathy of the nursing home staff made his life whole and enriched in the face of an otherwise adverse situation. His vocation as a rancher and Hereford breeder combined his passions of animal husbandry, conservation and stewardship which served as a perfect venue to raise his family. Bart will long be remembered as a gentle, compassionate man that loved his children and grandchildren, teaching by example and humor. Bart never missed an opportunity to share his dry wit and humor which often included a large library of limericks. An eternal optimist, Bart lived life to the fullest, fully devoted to Mary, his wife and friend of 51 years. Physical limitations stemming from his military service remained his biggest trial — one he met with quiet determination and grace.

He is survived by his wife Mary, and his four daughters Mary (Greg) Cunningham, Ellen (Joe) Nieslanik, Lisa (Tom) Walsh, Sarah (Clint) Hjelm; 11 grandchildren: Ben, Charlie and Hannah Cunningham; Meg, Jake and Sam Nieslanik; Nate, Anna and Stephen Walsh; and Wyatt and Hannah Hjelm; his brother Mike (Kit) Strang, and their three adult children Laurie, Scott, and Bridget and their families

Bart was preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Ellen Strang and his nephew Michael Lathrop Strang, Jr.

Memorial contributions can be made through Cochran Memorial Chapel, PO Box 1048, Meeker, Colo., 81641 for a future educational endowment fund.

Services were held at St. James Episcopal Church in Meeker on December 7, 2009.

Interment with full military honors was in the Highland Cemetery.

James Charles Clark

James Charles Clark, 52, of Livermore, Colo., passed away November 21, 2009 at his home in upper Cherokee Park.

He was born on October 10, 1957 to Ernest and Barbara Clark in Vermont.

Jim was a friend to everyone he met and he was truly loved and cherished by his family and friends. Jim loved the outdoors, especially the mountains, was an avid hunter, horseman and outdoorsman and had proudly served with the United States Coast Guard. While Jim may be gone, the passion and exuberance for life that he shared will always be with us.

He is survived by his parents Ernest and Barbara Clark, brother Ashly and sister Pamela all of Vermont and his wife Cindy and stepson Dustin of Livermore, Colo.

Services were held on November 25, 2009 at the Livermore Community Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the JCCJ Memorial Fund at the First National Bank P.O. Box 578 Fort Collins, Colo. 80521.

Jerry A. Lambrecht

Jerry A. Lambrecht, 61, of Ft. Lupton, Colo., passed away on December 9, 2009 in Chandler, Ariz.

He graduated from Ft. Lupton High School in 1966 and continued his education at Northeast Junior College in Sterling where he graduated in 1968. He also served in the National Guard for four years.

Jerry's life and passion was farming and farmed his entire life west of Ft. Lupton. Jerry was a member of the Brantner Ditch Board. He was awarded farmer of the year by the Agricultural Board. Jerry loved his family, friends and adored his five grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Beverly, and two children, Jason (Tonja) Lambrecht of Platteville, Colo. and Tara (John) Odgen of Rapid City, S.D.; five grandchildren: Landon, Connor, Brookelynn, Elizabeth and Allison, one sister Pat Windholz of Brighton, Colo., and two brothers Ron Lambrecht of Brighton, Colo. and Bob (Susie) Lambrecht of Severance, Colo.

Services were held December 16, 2009 at St. Williams Catholic Church, Ft. Lupton, Colo.

Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Ft. Lupton, Colo.

Johnnie Ulrich

Johnnie Ulrich, 91, of Platteville, Colo., passed away November 28, 2009.

He was born in La Salle, Colo., on November 22, 1918 to Pete and Anna (Rady) Ulrich.

Loving the simple life, Johnnie enjoyed visiting with people and sharing stories. Johnnie never knew a stranger, and he always welcomed everyone to his home to share food and conversation. He always loved doing special things for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always had each child's favorite treats.

One of his enjoyable pastimes was gardening of vegetables, roses, Canna lilies and especially Wonderberries that he could share with others.

Johnnie and his wife Minnie were married for 66 years and shared many good times, including a cruise with their family. Short drives to the mountains or historical sites were very exciting for them both. Whenever there were newborn calves that needed special attention, they loved to take the challenge of nurturing them.

Moving to a location that had only been partially farmed, Johnnie and Minnie were able to follow their dreams and create a favorable environment to raise their family that instilled hard work and honorable values.

He is survived by his three sons, Jack Ulrich of Bonifay, Fla., William Ulrich of Sacramento, Calif., and Kenneth Ulrich of Platteville, Colo.; two daughters, Christine Koehler of Lexington, Ky., and Susan Miller of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; one sister, Emma Goodner of La Salle, Colo.; and 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie; parents Anna and Pete Ulrich; brothers Henry Ulrich, and Jake Ulrich; and sisters Mary Walters, Ida Knaub and Mildred Kammerzell.

Services were held December 3, 2009 at First United Methodist Church, Platteville.

Interment was at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado, Inc. or the Alzheimer's Association, both in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th St., Greeley, Colo. 80634.

Norman Conrad Troudt Sr.

Norman Conrad Troudt Sr., 73, of Wiggins, Colo., passed away November 24, 2009 in a traffic accident in Weld County.

He was born May 8, 1936 in Greeley to Conrad and Leona (Miller) Troudt.

Norman's family lived in Gill, Colo., from 1936 until 1944; they moved to Greeley in 1944 and lived there until 1947. They lived in Platteville from 1947 until 1948 and moved to Hoyt in 1948. After Hoyt, they moved to Prospect Valley in 1953 and lived there until 1962 when they moved to Wiggins where they now farm.

He graduated from Prospect Valley High School in 1955.

Norman married Barbara Podoll on July 2, 1967 in Prospect Valley.

He attended the Cowboy Church in Brush and is a member of the Wiggins Community Church in Wiggins. Norman was on the Board of Directors of the Wiggins Rural Fire Protection District from 1988 until 2000.

Norman enjoyed farming. He loved his family, especially Levi, Luke and Tyler, his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Troudt of Wiggins, Colo.; three sons, Norman Troudt and Nathan Troudt both of Wiggins, Colo., and Nolan Troudt of New Raymer, Colo.; one sister, Doris Weber of Greeley, Colo., and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Nadine Lucy Troudt and Marian Scheller.

Services were held December 1, 2009 at the High Plains Livestock Exchange, Cowboy Bible Church, in Brush, Colo.

There will be a private family inurnment in the Hoyt Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial Gifts may be made in Norman's name in care of the Heer and Dahl Mortuary in Ft. Morgan, Colo.

Jack (Walter John) Schaal

Jack (Walter John) Schaal, 76, of Buffalo, Wyo., passed away November 26, 2009 at his son's home in Greeley, Colo., with his family by his side.

He was born in Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 12, 1933 to Newton and Etta (Ilian) Schaal.

Jack grew up on the site of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and then moved to Berthoud while he was a young teenager. He attended Berthoud schools.

Jack worked for Continental Airlines as a mechanic and then attended Spartan Aircraft School in Tulsa, Okla.

He married Wilma Coots in 1951 and they had three children: Neil, Sandra and Keith. He divorced in 1973 and then married Dola Held in 1975. They lived in and around the Buffalo, Wyoming area.

Jack farmed east of Berthoud with his brothers, Dale and Max until 1972 and was also a machinist. After moving to Wyoming he continued in the machining business and then became a mail carrier and Postmaster.

Jack enjoyed the Story, Wyo., area and stopped often to admire God's creatures.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dola; sons Neil Schaal (Karen Chilson) and Keith Schaal (Claudia); daughter Sandy Flippin, two grandchildren, Scott Schaal and Art Flippin and a great-granddaughter Anna Schaal.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services were held December 2, 2009 at Viegut Funeral Home.

Burial was in the Berthoud Cemetery.

Memorial contributions to the Audubon Society of Wyoming in care of Viegut Funeral Home.