Dick Wolfe

Dick V. Wolfe, 86, of Greeley, Colo., passed away January 13, 2013.

He was born October 22, 1926 in Weldona, Colo., to George and Emma Wolfe. He grew up in the Fort Morgan, Colo., area. He joined the Navy in 1944 and served as a gunner’s mate on a destroyer in the Pacific during World War II, and was honorably discharged after the end of the war in 1946.

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He married Shirley Moore on September 25, 1953. They spent the first years of their marriage living in the Denver, Colo., area. In 1969 they purchased a farm southwest of Platteville, Colo., and he was able to pursue his passion of being a farmer and rancher.

He worked as an over the road truck driver for Scott Truck Lines, in Denver, Colo., for 25 years. He later worked as a truck driver and Construction Supervisor for Golden Construction out of Longmont, Colo., for 15 years. He retired in 1989, at which time they purchased a motor home and spent their spare time traveling around the United States. They enjoyed fishing with Dick’s brother Lee and his wife Esther.

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In March 1996, they sold the farm and moved to Greeley, Colo. On April 18, 1996, Shirley passed away. Dick continued to live in Greeley, Colo., and channeled his farming passion into his yard and gardening. He still raised the best tomatoes around.

In 2000, he re-acquainted with a former family friend, Shirlee Davis. They have been loving companions since that time.

Dick served on the board of the Coal Ridge Ditch Company for several years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Platteville, Colo. He was an avid gardener, and enjoyed wood working, leaving behind many beautiful creations. He loved old westerns, especially John Wayne.

Above all things Dick was a proud and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who passes on the greatest legacy of all—his uncompromising integrity, character and passion for life. He had many lifelong friends. There were no strangers in Dick’s world. He was everyone’s friend and once he was your friend, he was a friend forever.

Words cannot express our gratitude to his special care giver Moie Brown. We would also like to thank all of the wonderful people at Hospice of Northern Colorado.

He is survived by his children, Dawn and Gary Homyak of Platteville, Colo., Cindy and Rob Ververs of Greeley, Colo., Dick and Susan Wolfe of Broomfield, Colo., and Dan and Cathy Wolfe of Aurora, Ill.; his grandchildren, Travis (Amy) and Paige Homyak, Anthea (Mike) Carrasco, Tony Mustari, Keane (Sandra), Lexi and Lane Ververs, Bryson (Stacie), Wesley and Jordan (Jessica) Wolfe, Alyssa, Josh, Abby, Jacie and Jacob Wolfe; his great-grandchildren, Savannah and Alyvia Wolfe, Kenadie Ververs, Ciera Ververs, and Creighton Carrasco, Ace Wolfe; his companion, Shirlee Davis of Platteville, Colo.; his brother, Lee Wolfe of Westminster, Colo.; and sister, Eva (Fred) Brown of Westminster, Colo.

Memorial services were held January 18, 2013 at Adamson Chapel in Greeley, Colo.

Internment followed at Sunset Memorial Garden in Greeley, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to “First United Methodist Church of Platteville” or “Hospice of Northern Colorado” in care of Adamson’s Funeral and Cremation, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, Colo., 80634.

Condolences can be sent to the family at http://www.AdamsonChapels.com. ❖

Leona Nelson Ranson

Leona Nelson Ranson, 84, of Greeley, Colo., passed away January 13, 2013 at North Colorado Medical Center.

She was born October 13, 1928, to Walter and Grace (Elrod) Nelson in Cañon City, Colo.

Leona lived on a ranch outside Cañon City, Colo., with her parents; grandmother; siblings, Willis, Martha (Stringer) and Jane (Kirkwood/Peterson), until the death of her grandmother.

The family moved to Leadville, Colo., where her father took a job at the Carleton tunnel. She returned to the Cañon City area for schooling, where she met the love of her life, Kenneth John Ranson.

After graduating from Cañon City High, she married Ken on November 28, 1946. The couple moved to Price, Utah, where daughter, Karol and son, Jon, were born. They then moved to Pueblo, Colo., where daughter, Janice was born. In 1970, Ken and Leona relocated to Denver, Colo., where they lived until his death in 1998. Leona moved to Greeley, Colo., to be close to Janice, her husband, Richard Halbert, and their daughter, Annie. For the last five years, Leona resided at Greeley Garden Square. Leona was loved by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Marian Karol (Wayne) Hale of Yoder, Colo., Kenneth Jon (Joanne) Ranson of Edgewater, Md., and Janice Ranson of Greeley, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and husband.

Memorial services are pending.

Memorial contributions may be made to North Colorado Medical Center Foundation at 1801 16th St, Greeley, Colo., 80631 or to a charity of choice in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th Street, Greeley, Colo., 80631. ❖

Delmar L. McGrew

Delmar L. McGrew, 76, of Johnstown, Colo., passed away January 16, 2013 after a brave battle with cancer with his family by his side.

He will be dearly missed.

No services are scheduled.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.AdamsonChapels.com. ❖

Joseph Leroy Overturf

Joseph Leroy Overturf, 76, passed away January 7, 2013.

He was born January 7, 1937 in Fort Morgan, Colo., to Roy E. and Edna B. (Southard) Overturf. Joe attended school in Fort Morgan, Colo., and met and married the love of his life Thelma Janette (Akin) Overturf in 1957. They had two children Deborah Dawn (Doug) Massey and Joel Clayton Overturf. Joe and Jan moved to Brighton, Colo., in 1966 where he lived the remainder of his life.

Joe obtained his Master Plumbers license and was well know in the area as “Joe the Plumber” and for his remodeling talents. Joe loved the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his twin grandchildren Shelby Jo and Austin James Massey.

He is survived by his wife Jan; his children and grandchildren; family member David Thomas; brother Jack (Lin) Overturf of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brother Gene (Jeanne) Overturf of Greeley, Colo.; sister Carole (Les) Hoff of Fort Morgan, Colo.; many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, niece Mary Elizabeth Overturf and nephew John Overturf.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Joe Overturf Memorial Fund, c/o Valley Bank and Trust, 4100 E. Bromley Lane, Brighton, Colo., 80601.

Erlinger Funeral Home of Fort Lupton, Colo., handled the cremation. ❖

Marian Pachner

Marian Pachner, 89, of Akron, Colo., passed away January 12, 2013 at the Yuma District Hospital.

She was the oldest of three children, born May 8, 1923 in Sheridan, Wyo., to Martin and Bessie (Hunt) Van Meter. When Marian was six years old, her mother passed away. She was separated from her siblings. Her father, Uncle Ed and Aunt Julia Hunt, and Aunt Maggie Burkholder shared in Marion’s upbringing. Marian attended Oberlin High School but quit during her senior year. She did not graduate high school, but continued her education throughout her life.

Marian was united in marriage on January 12, 1941 to James “Jim” Pachner in a double wedding ceremony with Jim’s sister Ann Pachner and James Kaspar. Jim and Marian had two children, Barbara and Darrell.

Jim and Marian farmed southwest of Elba, Colo., as well as south of Otis, Colo. After Jim stopped farming, they moved to Otis, Colo., where she did accounting and tax preparation, as well as serving as a police magistrate for the town of Otis, Colo. She was firm but fair, and often gave advice on how to best straighten out their lives.

After 35 years in Washington County, they moved to Oberlin, Kan., to farm on the Pachner family homestead. Marian became the business manager for the Oberlin Herald newspaper, as well as an EMT for Decatur County.

Jim and Marian moved to Loveland, Colo., to enjoy retirement. After Jim’s death, Marian returned to Washington County residing in Akron, Colo., until her death. Wherever Marian lived, she always found a church home and became active in her community. She was an author, storyteller, exceptional cook, and seamstress. She liked to knit, quilt, and do other crafts. She enjoyed children and was known as “Aunt Marian” to family and friends alike.

She is survived by daughter Barbara McCall; sisters-in-law Ann Kaspar, Beulah Pachner, and Kathy Van Meter; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, son Darrell, brother Dale Van Meter, and sister Velma James.

Memorial services were held January 18, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron, Colo.

Inurnment at the Akron Cemetery will be privately held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Akron Senior and Community Center. ❖

Vena Lee Britton

Vena Lee (Atteberry) Britton, 91, of Castle Rock, Colo., passed away December 25, 2012 at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colo.

She was born February 9, 1921 in a sod house on a farm near Kirk, Colo., to Buyrel E. and Grace Anna (Bottorf) Atteberry. Vena was the third of seven children. The day Vena was born near Kirk, Colo., her father had his left hand amputated in Denver, Colo., the result of a horse drawn corn picker accident.

The family, being share croppers, moved from Eastern Colorado to farms in Douglas County, near Elbert, Colo., Elizabeth, Colo., Franktown, Colo., and Parker, Colo. After Vena graduated from the eighth grade in Parker, Colo., the family moved again, this time to Aurora, Colo. They moved to the Chuck Bresnahan place where they farmed and milked cows in a round barn. The barn is a National Historic Sight and the farm is know today as the Delaney Farm, also a Historic Sight.

Vena attended the William Smith school in Aurora, Colo., (now know as Aurora Central High School) where she graduated in June of 1940.

However, she and a hired hand, Bob Britton, went to Cheyenne, Wyo., in a blizzard in a 1929 Model A Ford to “stand up” for Vena’s older sister, LoRee and W.A. Malone while they got married. When they came back, both couples were married. But, there was a problem—Vena was a senior in high school and would not graduate until June. In those days, one couldn’t be married while attending high school, so Vena lived at home in secret to school and family. After graduation, Bob and Vena Britton announced their secret and started living as a family.

Their daughter, Wilma Jean (a.k.a. Bill or Billy) was born January 1941 and son Robert L. (Bobby) was born in July 1942.

Vena was a homemaker that lived for her family. After the kids got big enough to fend for themselves, she joined the work force. She was a rose cutter and grader for various greenhouses along Cherry Creek to Parker, Colo. She later worked in carnations as a cutter, grader and dye tech. As she got older, it was harder to “walk the benches,” so she quit the greenhouses and went to work for Cherry Creek Schools as a cook.

When Vena’s husband, Bob, retired from Farmers Marketing Association, she retired too. They traveled all over the U.S., most of the time with Bob’s sister and husband, A.B. and Jesse Radebaugh.

Vena and Bob loved to dance, especially the waltz and two-step. They followed their son, Bobby, and his band to dance the night away. They even followed their favorite band to Nashville when Bobby was on the Grand Ole’ Opry.

Vena was a cook and a baker. She was famous for her breads, cookies, homemade noodles, and cranberry Jell-o salad. Her grandkids and great-grandkids always expected her excellent Banana-Nut Bread.

She was excellent with crochet, knitting and cross-stitch—making afghans for friends and family. She made bed spreads, doilies, sweaters and many pictures. She will be remembered for crocheting her granddaughter Dawn’s wedding dress. This piece of art took five months and miles of thread to complete.

She is survived by her daughter, Wilma Szymanski of Salida, Colo., and her son, Bob (Charlotte) Britton of Calhan, Colo.; five grandchildern, Cole (first grandchild born on Vena’s birthday) (Kim) Britton, Joyce Holman, Dawn (Chris) Williams, Todd (Phyllis) Szymanski and Misty Poole; 11 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, LoRee (known as Toots) Burns and Dorothy (known as Dode) Cook; four brothers, Elton Atteberry, Harold Atteberry, Lehman and Charl Atteberry (lost at birth) and her loving husband and best friend of 59 years, Bob Britton.

Final rest was December 31, 2012 at Elizabeth Colorado Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Vena’s name to the Castle Rock Senior Center Shuttle, 2323 Woodland Blvd., Castle Rock, Colo., 80104. ❖

Jim Lee Thompson

Jim Lee Thompson, 54, of Merino, Colo., passed away January 4, 2013, in Sterling, Colo.

He was born February 25, 1958, in Sterling, Colo., to Leon R. and Lorraine Lea (Harn) Thompson. He graduated from Merino High School in 1976 and continued his education at NJC.

Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church of Willard, Colo., and later attended Cowboy Bible Church of Brush, Colo. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and was a Colorado State High School Rodeo Association steer wrestling champion. He was very active in rodeos and hunting. He enjoyed all sporting events and watching his niece and nephew.

He is survived by his parents, L.R. Pat and Lorraine L. Thompson of Willard, Colo.; brother, Tim Thompson and wife Susan of Willard, Colo.; nephew, Taylor Thompson and wife Cassie of Sterling, Colo.; niece, Sadie Thompson of Willard, Colo.; aunt, Marcine Tridle of Phoenix, Ariz.; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Arthur and Esther Harn and John M. and Anna L. Thompson.

Memorial services were held January 9, 2013 at the Berean Church.

Services concluded at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. ❖