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Rocky Mountain Edition Obituaries 07-01-13


Kent Frederick Stegner

Kent Frederick Stegner, 88, of Greeley, Colo., passed away Dec. 23, 2012, at Life Care Center of Greeley in Greeley, Colo.

He was born March 18, 1924, in Tulsa, Okla., to Walter C. and Sarah Little Stegner.



Kent lived a life of adventure and hard work. He obtained his first paid job as a newspaper route carrier at age 11, which he kept until age 18. Kent spent two summers in Pinedale and Boulder, Wyo., when he was 16 and 17 working as a cowboy on the Milford Steele and Verna Preobe ranches. He had a love for farming, ranching and agriculture that would last throughout his life.

After graduating from Tulsa Central High School in 1941, Kent spent one year at Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University). He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942. Kent was a Marine paratrooper in the 1st Marine Parachute Regiment and 5th Marine Division, A Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment. His campaigns in the Pacific included New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Vella Lavella, Bougainville, the Consolidation of the Northern Solomon Islands, the entire 36 days of Iwo Jima, and the Occupation of Japan. He returned to resume his studies at Oklahoma Aggies in 1945. He graduated with a degree in animal husbandry in 1948.



During Kent’s final years in college he met Frances Whetstine, they were married in 1946. They moved to Denver in 1948 when Kent obtained work at the Denver Stock Yards. He worked for Armour & Co., John Clay & Co. and was an independent cattle trader. Kent was recalled in 1951 for the Korean War; he served as an infantry tactics instructor at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He returned to Denver to continue his career in 1952. While Kent was at the Denver Stock Yards in 1949, he participated in the largest run of cattle (35,000 head) in the Denver Stock Yard’s history. He was offered a job at Producers Livestock in Greeley, Colo., in 1962.

The family moved to Greeley in 1964. Kent worked for Producers Livestock for more than 20 years. He started as fat cattle salesman and progressed to regional manager. He formed his own one-man cattle company, the Figure 4 Cattle Company in 1984. Kent continued doing what he loved until he retired at age 78 in 2002.

During Kent’s lifetime he enjoyed being outdoors. Kent was an avid fisherman, an efficient woodworker, enjoyed reading, took pride in his lawn, and loved his vegetable garden. He was a great lover of jazz music. He was a longtime member of the Association of Survivors — 1st Marine Parachute Regiment. Kent continued to drive to Producers to have coffee with his friends after retirement. He joined the Union Colony Marine Corps League in Greeley. Kent will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his daughters, Sara Stegner Smith (James) of Colorado Springs, Colo., and LuAnne Stegner (Lance Mangham) of Strasburg, Colo.; his granddaughter, Amanda Smith of Monument, Colo.; and his step-granddaughter, Abigail Mangham of Strasburg, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Carl L. Stegner; and wife, Frances, in 2002; his daughter, Holly Frances Stegner, died March 25, 2013.

Services were held June 9, 2013, at the Greeley VFW Pioneer Post 2121 in Greeley, Colo. Military services were held June 7, 2013, at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colo.

Cremation was conducted.

Memorial contributions may be made to Paymaster Jim Thomas, Union Colony Marines, P.O. Box 821, Greeley, CO 80631. ❖

Maryanne Pennock

Maryanne Pennock passed away June 8, 2013, at her home in Berthoud, Colo. She was 80 years old. She was born July 25, 1932, to Frankie Norton Lanham and Urless R. Lanham in Longmont, Colo. After graduating from the Longmont schools, she attended Barnes Business College in Denver. Later, she worked for Mountain Bell Telephone and Southern Bell Telephone companies in the business offices for seven years.

She married her high school sweetheart Phil Pennock on Oct. 11, 1952. They lived in Jacksonville, Fla., Denver, Longmont, Colo., and Palisade, Colo., until making their home in Berthoud, Colo., in 1962. There they raised four children.

She was a farm wife and enjoyed working with her husband. She loved being a homemaker and grew many flowers and orchids. She greatly enjoyed her garden, yard and greenhouse. Her family was her pride and joy. She was very proud of them all. She loved spending time with her grandchildren doing crafts, puzzles and going on picnics. She loved to cook and have family gatherings for holidays, special events, and birthdays. She was the organizer of fun and games.

She was a 4-H leader for many years and enjoyed working with children. She taught many of them how to decorate cakes. She belonged to the United Methodist Church of Berthoud. She loved to go camping and traveling, especially to the ocean, which she got to do often.

Maryanne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Phil Pennock; her brothers, Lawrence, Lloyd and Url Lanham; and her sister, Nadine Mann.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Terrell and husband David of Milliken, Colo., Diane Small of Berthoud, Colo., and Judy Buchman and husband Jerry of Longmont, Colo.; her son, Douglas Pennock and wife Linda of Berthoud, Colo.; her grandchildren, Brandon Richard Small, Rebecca Ann Pennock, Susan Marie Pennock and Annie Reagan; her brother, Jack Lanham of Grand Junction, Colo.; several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Maryanne would like everyone to take the time to smell the flowers and be good to one another.

Visitation was 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 12 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, with family present to greet friends. Funeral service was 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 13 at the First United Methodist Church of Berthoud. Interment Greenlawn Cemetery, Berthoud, Colo. Memorial donations can be sent to the Berthoud Fire Department. Visit http://www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences. ❖

Reuben Alan Walter

Reuben Alan Walter, 76, of Thatcher, Colo., passed away on June 20, 2013.

He was born at home near Manzanola, Colo., on April 24, 1937, to Reuben James and Pearl (Clinger) Walter.

He was the widower of Patricia Lee (Donegan) Walter. They were married on May 9, 1962, in La Junta, Colo. She preceded him in death in 2007 and he spent many days missing her.

He served in the U.S. Navy.

Alan was a self-employed rancher/cattleman and cowboy in the Thatcher, Colo., area for more than 50 years. He enjoyed working cattle, horses and spending time with his grandkids. Alan also enjoyed operating heavy equipment and helping neighbors, hunting, fishing, playing guitar and the mandolin, and loved eating. He was a dreamer and was always looking for new adventures.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandy, wife of Steve Milenski of Fowler, Colo.; daughter, Donna Jo, wife of Tim Garrett of Hoehne, Colo.; son, Rusty, husband of Kendra Walter of Thatcher, Colo.; sisters, Mary Jane Hesslink of Ordway, Colo., Edith, wife of Lloyd Hall of Delhi, Colo.; brothers, Rev. William Walter of Olathe, Kan., Jack, husband of Shirley Walter of La Junta, Colo., and Tom, husband of Glenna Walter of Rocky Ford, Colo.; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; Patricia Walter; two brothers, Grant Walter and Bob Walter; and two sisters, Ruth Rafferty and Wanda Walter.

Services were held at the Community Presbyterian Church, Rocky Ford, Colo., on June 26, 2013.

Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery Rocky Ford, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to Arkansas Valley Hospice, 531 Lewis La Junta, CO 81050.

Condolence may be sent to http://www.fordustick.com. ❖


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