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Tributes for Jan. 9

Dean Starr, 86

Oct. 1, 1930- Nov. 20, 2016

Residence: Sidney, Neb.



A Celebration of Life Services was held Dec. 1 at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney. Graveside inurnment with Military Honors followed at the Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Memorial contributions may be made in Dean’s name to the Sidney American Legion Post #17 or the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service was in charge of Dean’s care and funeral arrangements.

Dean Elvin Starr, the son of Faye Everett and Leva Viola (Chadwick) Starr was born on Oct. 1, 1930 in Marsland, Neb.



Dean collected scrap iron, worked with the Boy Scouts as a messenger during air raid drills, worked on a war housing project, helped local farmers with beans and picking potatoes alongside prisoners of war.

Dean, along with his father, was instrumental in the building of Terry Town. On Nov. 15, 1950, Dean enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Sicily and received an Honorable Discharge on Nov. 5, 1954.

On Sept. 7, 1984, Dean was united in marriage to Susan Kraft in Sidney. Dean served on the Volunteer Fire Department from Dec. 5, 1968 until his death. He was a member of the Sidney American Legion, VFW and DAV.

He retired from the U.S. Postal Service following 20 years of employment as a rural mail carrier.

He loved his family and being outdoors. Dean enjoyed sitting in his outdoor swing, doing search and find puzzles and reading. He was a life-long carpenter, served as the City of Sidney Building Inspector, worked for Bayard Wilbert Bault Company and helped at the Gehrig & Son Mortuary.

Dean is survived by his wife Susan of Sidney; brother Bruce (Sandy) Starr of San Diego, Calif.; children Cyndi (Randy) Christensen of Lorenzo, Neb., Dean (Tilly) Brauer of Phoenix, Ariz., and Denise Howard of Navasota, Texas; step-children Tamera (Doug) Loomis of Thornton, Colo., Gary Dale Van Natter of Lincoln, Neb., and Darin (Sue) Van Natter of Sidney; brother-in-law Robert McGrew of Sioux Falls, S.D., sisters-in-law Katie (Johnny) Barber of Fort Morgan, Colo., Betty (Jim) Jones of Bryant, Wis., Bertha Campbell of Hannibal, Mo., and Ilene Vian of Scottsbluff.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sister Betty Mcgrew, daughter Wendy Lou Star, brother Loren Starr, stepson Jerry Van Natter and numerous extended family members.

George Edward Monks, 84

Nov. 14, 1931- Sept. 3, 2016

Residence: Limon, Colo.

George Edward Monks, 84, of Limon, Colo., passed peacefully on Sept. 3, 2016, at the Lincoln Community Hospital with family by his side.

George was born on Nov. 14, 1931 to Roy and Edith Monks at their home in Hugo, Colo. He was the 11th of their 13 children.

After serving as an Army soldier in the Korean War, George returned to Colorado and went to work for Gardner Construction as a labor foreman.

It was during this time that he met his wife, Patricia (Pat) Stone. They were married on June 16, 1956. Together they moved 51 times with Gardner Construction. In May 1966, George and Pat returned to Limon. This is where they chose to call home and raise their three children.

George was a self-employed concrete contractor and backhoe operator for many years. He was well-known for his generosity toward others, his willingness to help anyone in need, his pride for his grandchildren and great grandchildren and his colorful language.

He enjoyed history, arrowhead hunting and going to auctions. He loved and appreciated animals, especially his horses. He shared a special connection with his horse, Joe, a companion and confidant for 30 years.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Roy M. Monks and Edith V. Mulett Monks Duke, his eight brothers, Dave, Homer, Hillard, Bill, Gene, Frank, Arthur (Bo) and Harold and his granddaughter, Mickie Sue Kraft.

George is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pat Monks; his son, Greg Monks of Denver; his daughters Beth (Rick) Ullom of Rifle, Colo., Kristen Jeffrey of Limon, and Pam Kraft of Kiowa, Colo.; eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and his four sisters; Dorothy Gillis, Thelma Ritz, Huldah Igou and Betty Jo Igou; his sister-in-law, Gladys Monks and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Allen Roy Mitchek, 77

May 15. 1939- Dec. 10, 2016

Residence: Sterling, Colo.

Allen Roy Mitchek, 77, of Sterling, Colo., entered eternal life on Dec. 10, 2016 after complications from a new chemo drug.

Allen was born May 15, 1939 in Cheyenne Wells, Colo., to Charles John and Martha (Gentz) Mitchek.

Allen’s life has been a colorful one and most of his friends know how he left home at a very early age and came to Sterling. With only an 8th-grade education, he worked his way up to build many successful business enterprises and helped many of his loyal employees start their own businesses.

He was a hard worker and expected that same work ethic from his family and employees. There was no limit to the advice and assistance he would provide if you were willing to work.

Throughout the years, Allen developed many special personal relationships with the people he did business with and he cherished every one of them. He also appreciated the trust the farmers and ranchers put in him. He did his utmost to support and help them and the farming/ranching industry in any way possible.

Allen enjoyed visiting with friends in the Cattleman’s Club at the National Western Stock Show every January. He rarely missed watching the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, and attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas was also a favorite.

In 1957, Allen married Glenda Garrison and from that union Kathy was born. Allen married Karen Krueger in 1958 and from that union came Carlena, Teresa, Doug, Dan and Damon. In 1992, Allen married Judi Schmidt Glassburn.

Allen is survived by his loving wife, Judi; children Kathy Anderson, Carlena (Paul) Grimmett, Teresa Monat and her children Tiffany and Kurtis (Hannah) and their child Kaius; Dan (Bonnie); Damon (Jacque); stepson Brian (Rebecca) Glassburn; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Allen is also survived by brothers Ervin and Milton; sisters Lila Maxwell, Vera Cohea and Betty Vandagriff.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Devlin, brother Dale and son-in-law Greg Anderson.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital c/o Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.

Funeral services were held on Dec. 16 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church with Rev. Sean Cole officiating.

Fred Marion Winkinhofer, 80

June 20, 1936 – Dec. 14, 2016

Residence: Erie, Colo.

Fred Marion Winkinhofer, 80, of Erie, passed away Dec. 14, 2016 at Applewood Living Center.

He was born June 20, 1936 in Parsons, Kan., to Henry William and Ida Mabel (O’Neal) Winkinhofer.

Fred enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on April 19, 1954. He reenlisted twice and served a total of 12 years. Fred was honorably discharged on June 24, 1966.

On Sept. 17, 1974, he married Betty Froid Lemons. They moved to a five-acre parcel of land near Erie, Colo., and built a home.

Fred worked as a machinist for Sundstrand Aviation for 27 years.

Fred was passionate about horses. He was a long-time horse shoer, a part-time job which became his full-time endeavor when he left Sundstrand. He was well known for his knowledge of horses and their care. Fred has shoed for many well-know people, including the cowboy poet Baxter Black. He was also active in training and showing Quarter horses at many national shows where he won many awards including world championships in Illinois and Omaha, Neb.

Fred was also involved with his children in many 4-H projects.

He was a member of the Buffalo Soldiers of the American West.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother George and a nephew Kenny Winkinhofer.

Fred is survived by his wife Betty, four children; Joy (Charles) Cervantes, Cindy Winkinhofer, William (Pamela) Winkinhofer and Christie (Bryan) Olson, 10 grandchildren; Tara, Charles, Jake, Shawn, Danielle, Ronnie, Chad, Kayla, Nickie and Jessica along with several great grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Dec. 20, 2016 at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colo. Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force. Visit http://www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.

Dennis Eugene Drake, 82

March 17, 1934-Dec. 1, 2016

Residence: Ault, Colo.

Dennis Eugene Drake, 82, of Ault, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 at his home due to COPD. He was born on March 17, 1934 in Norton, Kan. to Walter and Ruth (Crider) Drake.

Dennis lived in Kansas until he was 9, at which time his family moved to Ault. He graduated from Pierce High school in 1953. Dennis worked on the family farm with his Dad until 1957, when he was called to serve in the Army. He was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas and served for two years before being honorably discharged in 1959.

Dennis owned and operated an auto repair shop named Drake Repair in Greeley, Colo., in the early 1960s. He did most of the repair work at night so he could farm by day. He continued to farm until retiring in 2013.

Dennis married Dorothy Hein on Aug. 19, 1955. They had three children during their 42-year marriage. Dorothy passed on Dec. 1, 1997.

He then married Ardith Ella (Sexton) Cook on Dec. 18, 1998. They were married for 10 years until Ardith’s passing on April 1, 2008. He married Mary Ann (Dinkel) Thornton on Oct. 22, 2011. They were happily married for five years before Dennis’ passing.

Dennis loved farming and restoring old tractors. He repaired and maintained all of his own equipment. He even designed and built several pieces of machinery himself. He enjoyed going to farm equipment auctions and farm shows, especially the old iron and old thresher’s events. Dennis was a great steward of the land and planted 10,000 to 20,000 trees in windbreaks on all of his properties from 1974 to 2014.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Drake of Ault; daughters, Linda (Chuck) Blehm of Ault and Patty (Greg) Michaud of LaPorte; sons, David (Kerri) Drake of Ault, Ronnie (Elaine) Cook of Colorado Springs, Donnie (Paula) Cook of Driggs, Idaho, and Gary (Brigette) Cook of Durango; sister, Cindy Sidwell of Ault; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, his son, Harold Drake, and grandson, Justin Drake.

Services were held Dec. 7, 2016 at Stoddard Funeral Home. Interment to be at the Ault cemetery.

Please consider memorial contributions to Ault Area Historical Museum, National Honor Flight or Northern Plains Library, all in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 West 28th St, Greeley, Colo.

Please visit http://www.stoddardsunset.com to sign an online guestbook.❖


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