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Rocky Mountain Obituaries 12-24-12

JoAnne B. Beebe

Kenneth Ray Waldner

Kenneth Ray Waldner, 47, passed away December 16, 2012. Ken was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on December 7, 2011. At no point did he give up the fight, but our Lord decided he had fought long and hard enough and it was time for him to come home and finally feel no more pain.

He was born in Rawlins, Wyo., on December 23, 1964 to Verne and Emma. He was the third of four children. He was a fun-loving and caring child. He lived in Rawlins, Wyo., until he was five, when in 1970, the family moved to Wamsutter, Wyo.



In 1973, a spark was ignited in Ken, when his Dad founded Wamsutter Conoco Service, Inc. Ken worked almost every day at the station after school. One day, the Bairoil Basketball coach stopped in the Conoco before a Wamsutter vs. Bairoil Basketball game and saw Ken changing the oil on a school bus. The Coach asked Ken, “Are you not playing tonight?” Wishful thinking on the coach’s part, Ken’s response was, “No, I’ll be there” and he lead his team to victory.

At a young age, he worked hard, played hard and lived life to the absolute fullest. In 1994, Ken and Gregg took over the reins of the Conoco and grew it from a mom-and-pop gas station to large a scale convenience store, mechanic shop, and towing and recovery service station.



Ken attended Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyo., from 1983 to 1986, and then he graduated with a Degree in Welding Engineering from Arizona State University in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1989.

Ken’s only son, Thomas Van Smith, was born on April 4, 1992. Ken was very proud of Thomas who is attending the University of Wyoming in pursuit of a Petroleum Engineering degree.

Ken served the community of Wamsutter, Wyo., by serving on Town Council and as Mayor for more than 10 years. He was instrumental in getting the Grocery Store, Medical Center and Day Care up and running.

On September 14, 2000 he married his soul mate, Hope Jeanneret. Hope and Ken have traveled and enjoyed photographing wildlife, arrowhead hunting, camping, fishing and hunting. In 2010, Ken won a prize from the National Park Service for photographing a wild horse mother and colt with the backdrop of the Red Dessert. The prize was a trip to any National Park in the United States. He and Hope visited Arcadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine.

In 2008 Ken was award the NAPA ASE Master Automotive Technician of the Year for the Rocky Mountain Region.

Ken was always generous to those in need, at our recent Staff Christmas party, he gave everyone a $100 bill and instructed, “Give this to someone less fortunate then you.”

When asked recently “What is left on your bucket list?” his reply was simply, “I don’t have anything else left to do.”

Ken was a great brother to all, as we are all brothers in Christ. Ken was a spectacular business man. He was caring and loving. A husband, father, friend, and mentor to everyone he met. He was loved by many and he will be missed and mourned greatly.

Ken is survived by his wife Hope, and his son, Thomas Smith, and many family and friends.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Russell E. DeLambert, Irene DeLambert, Jake Waldner, Anna Waldner; uncle Marvin Waldner; and cousins Jamie and Barbara Valdez.

Memorial services were held December 22, 2012 at Desert School in Wamsutter, Wyo.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or Poudre Valley Hospital Foundation c/o Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, Colo., 80524.

Friends may send condolences to the family at BohlenderFuneralChapel.com. ❖

Alice May Faust O’Connell

Alice May Faust O’Connell, 80, of Bismarck, N.D., passed away December 14, 2012.

She was born May 10, 1932 to Henry A. and Selma (Steiner) Faust of Moffit, N.D.

Alice was raised in and around Moffit, N.D. She attended grade school and completed the High school program offered through the North Dakota Agricultural College, now known as NDSU, in Moffit, N.D.

Alice attended Dickinson Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate. She then taught schools near Steele, N.D., and at “The home school” near the Braddock McCay farm. Later, she also substitute taught in the Bismarck School district.

Alice and Ben McCay were married on June 14, 1951, at the Amelia Bailey United Methodist church in Moffit, N.D. They farmed around the Braddock, N.D., and Moffit, N.D., area before moving to Bismarck, N.D., in 1956.

Alice was blessed with five children. She studied accounting at Bismarck Junior College and was employed at C.H. Carpenter Lumber Company in Bismarck, N.D., until her retirement in May 1994. In March 1994, Alice married Eugene O’Connell in Cooperstown, N.D., and after her retirement moved to Cooperstown, N.D. Alice enjoyed her life with Gene in Cooperstown, N.D.

Alice enjoyed visiting friends in both Cooperstown, N.D., and Bismarck, N.D., and was active in the circle at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, N.D. Her interests were reading, doing crossword puzzles, gardening, feeding and watching birds, listening to music, singing and playing piano. A great moment in her life was publishing a poetry book, “The Legacy,” written by herself and her sisters.

She is survived by her children, Margaret (Ken) Smidt of Hartford, S.D., Robert (Bev) McCay, Maxine (John) Busse, and Selma (Bob) Kerzman, all of Bismarck, N.D., and Medora (Ben) Nelson of Cooperstown, N.D.; step-son Monte (Jackie) Mickel and family; grandchildren, Sharisse Kroh, Chris Knudson, Kyle Burdine, Elsabeth Burns and Ethan Burns, Benjamin (Laurie) Nelson, Alicen Ding, and Andy (Cassie) Ding; great-grandchildren Hunter and Sierra Kroh, Brock, Ryder and Cole Burdine, Hawken, Corbin and Purdee Nelson, Ashlin and Chance Martin; sister Ina Oppegard; step-children, MeLinda (Steve) Ziggenfuss, James (Lori) O’Connell, Cindy (Bob) Haats, and Barbara O’Connell and their families; and many dear nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband, Eugene O’Connell; her parents, Selma and H. A. Faust; brothers Lloyd, Glenn and Melvin Faust; sisters Ruth (Harold) Wengel, Fern (Ralph) Nieland, Doris (Herman) Rash; grandchildren Elizabeth Nelson, Jeff Knudson; and great-grandchild Kalis Alyea.

Planting a tree in honor of Alice would be greatly appreciated. ❖

Donald Nelson

Donald Ovid Nelson, 84, passed away December 13, 2012 at the Yuma Life Care Center.

He was born February 3, 1928 to Oscar and Grace Nelson on the family farm south of Yuma, Colo., in the Heartstrong area.

Don grew up on the family farm learning a work ethic he held his entire life. He attended the Sunny Slope School through the eighth grade. Don helped his dad on the farm until 1950 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.

Don completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., and shipped out to Germany where he served his overseas tour. While in the army Don finished his education and received his GED.

After returning to the states Don continued to help on the family farm until he met and married Shirley Alice Mumm on April 18, 1954. To this union, Donette Sue was born on July 22, 1955 and Ronald Eugene on December 22, 1958.

Don farmed and worked as a carpenter until 1970 when he was hired on at Yuma County Grain. He became a part owner of the business and spent the rest of his working career there.

Don enjoyed horseshoes, golf, fishing, bowling and was rarely known to turn down a cold beer. He was a member of the Yuma Lions, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

After retirement Don continued to help with corn and wheat harvests for several years. He enjoyed wood working projects in his shop and getting ready for the year’s biggest job, the Christmas light display. Don would hang lights, then hang some more lights, run extension cords and timers everywhere. You would never hear him grumble until he thought he was done, then Shirley would say “I have another string or two in the basement.” Many people would make the drive to the country to see the display.

The yearly trip to Del Norte to help their son, Ron, with the spring branding on the Wilson Ranch became an enjoyed tradition for Don and Shirley. Don enjoyed immensely spending time with his grandkids attending their plays, programs and sporting events.

He is survived by daughter, Donnette Harmon (Mike) of Wray, Colo., and her children, Jay Wakefield of Columbia, Mo., KC Wakefield of Wichita, Kan., Kelli Wakefield (Gary) of Wray, Colo., Kory Wakefield (Brett) of Yuma, Colo., Josh Wakefield (Mirth) of Wray, Colo.; son, Ronald Nelson (Penny) of Yuma, Colo., and his children Trent Nelson and Caleb Nelson (Breann), all of Yuma, Colo., Kacy Schoenfeld (Zach) of Limon, Colo.; honorary granddaughter, Dani Crossland (Matt), daughter of special friends, Wayne and Nedra Mekelburg; seven great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Orville and Virginia Nelson of Yuma, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Nadine Knudsen of Yuma, Colo., and Pat Mumm of Powell, Wyo.; brothers-in-law, Ron Higgins (Deb) of Yuma, Colo.; Shorty Higgins of Denver, Colo., along with many other family members and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Ronald at birth; his parents, Oscar and Grace; parents-in-law, Alonzo and Lotus Higgins; his wife of 47 years, Shirley; brother, Leonard; sister-in-law, Elberta Nelson; sister, Merna Nelson; brothers-in-law, Leonard Knudsen, Darrel Mumm and Virgil Lorance and sister-in-law, Kay Lorance.

Memorial services were held December 19, 2012 at the Church of the Nazarene in Yuma, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Yuma Lions Club. Baucke Funeral Home directed the service. ❖

Deborah (Debbi) D. Sims

Deborah (Debbi) D. Sims, 52, of Berthoud, Colo., passed away December 12, 2012 in her Berthoud, Colo., home.

She was born December 10, 1960 in Boulder Colo., to Dale and Ruth Sims. She graduated from Manhattan High school in 1979 in Montana. Deb worked various jobs in her life from waitressing to paramedic, bartending, riding pens and sorting cattle in feedlots. She was a spotter for Richard Childress racing on the team of NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Debbi’s heart was always in the west and she was proud to be a true horsewoman of the western heritage.

She relocated to Cheyenne, Wyo., and began a career in the medical field as a phlebotomist. In 2006 she moved to Berthoud, Colo. Debbi had a lifelong love for horses, pigs and cats and always had a cast of characters in her animals. Friends will remember her quick wit and ready smile.

She was always a true friend and willing to try new adventures. She was always comfortable whether it was playing dress up for Halloween or going to the Dominican Republic because she had never been there. Debbi had an interest in archeology and paleontology and participated in digs in Wyoming during the summer months. Debbi loved music and loved to listen to the old vinyl records she inherited from her mother, Ruth. She collected antiques, stuffed Bears, Moose and Elk. She was discovering the world of motorcycling with her fiancé Chris Jackson of Aurora, Colo., at the time of her death.

She is survived by her father Dale Sims of Berthoud, Colo.; sister Becki (Sims) Tschirpke, brother-in-law Gerry Tschirpke both of Longmont, Colo., and Fiancé’ Chris Jackson of Aurora, Colo.; several aunts, uncles and cousins located throughout the country; friends Jock Dalton of Berthoud, Colo., and Jerene Roundtree of Manhattan, Mo. Her smile and sense of humor will be missed by others too numerous to mention.

Memorial services will be held January 12, 2013 from 1-4 p.m. at the Berthoud Community Center located at 248 Welch Street. Please come and join us with a story and fellowship in remembrance of Debbi.

Memorial contributions may be made to Colorado Horse Rescue.

Visit http://www.AhlbergFunalChapel.com to share condolences. ❖

Rodney Kenneth Sadar

Rodney Kenneth Sadar, 79, passed away December 12, 2012.

He was born in Longmont, Colo., to Louis J. (Ike) Sadar and Dorothy (Bashor) Sadar. Ike’s family settled in the stockyard area of Denver, Colo., in the late 1800s, after Matt (Ike’s father) emigrating from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Dorothy was a descendant of Sam Bashor, an early pioneer to the Hygiene, Colo., area.

At age 16, Rod left school to pursue his lifelong passion of milking cows and farming on the dairy that had been in the family since Matt Sadar purchased it in 1908. Sadar Dairy was the last operating cow dairy farm in Boulder County, Colo., and it won numerous awards of distinction for milk production and butterfat content while in operation. Rod was born on the farm and lived there until the spring of 2012, when he and his wife moved to their dream home in Hygiene, Colo. His world revolved around his wife, children, grandchildren, his dog “Aussie,” and many friends.

From February 1954 to February 1956, Rod served on active duty in the U.S. Army. He then served an additional six years in the U.S. Army Reserves. During his service, Rod won metals in sharpshooting and for good conduct. He was one of 11 volunteers from Boulder County who signed up together as friends; according to the Longmont Times-Call, it was the largest group of buddies to volunteer at one time in Boulder County.

Rod met his future bride, Roberta (Bert) Lane while roller-skating at the Roll-a-Arena in Longmont, Colo. They were married July 14, 1956 in Raton, N.M.

As teenagers, Rod and his brother Orve showed Black Angus at the Denver National Western Stock Show. They purchased their calves from the pioneer family, the Zwecks, and they have remained family friends and neighbors with them to this day.

Rod was one of the founders of the Hygiene Volunteer Fire Department, and two generations of his family followed in his footsteps. He served as a member for more than 31 years and served on the department’s board of directors. Rod loved to hunt and fish from the time he was a young child, and he was a member of the NRA.

After he was diagnosed with cancer in 1990, Rod and Bert spent a significant amount of time each year in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, where Rod received an alternative cancer treatment which helped him to survive 22 years with stage-four prostate cancer. While in the Bahamas, Rod enjoyed saltwater fishing with his children, grandchildren, and friends—many of whom he and Bert met while living there. He caught yellowfin and blackfin tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, bull and tiger sharks (not by choice), and many other species. He loved to deep drop fish for red snapper.

He is survived by his wife; three children, Deborah (Randy) Lebsack of Johnstown, Colo., Kenneth (Sue) Sadar of Hygiene, Colo., and Penny (Mike-deceased, and friend Scott Sorensen) Trevithick of Hygiene, Colo.; six grandchildren, Travis Johnson, Dr. Miranda Sadar, Miriah (Nick) Wachholtz, Cody (Monique) Trevithick, Tyler Sadar, and Keri (Tom Casanova) Sadar; and two great-grandchildren, Robbie Wachholtz and Wyatt Trevithick (expected April 2013); brother Orville (Donna) Sadar of Hygiene, Colo., and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ike and Dorothy.

Memorial services were held December 18, 2012 at Life Bridge Church.

Burial was at Hygiene Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hygiene Cemetery Association in care of the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. ❖

JoAnne B. Beebe

JoAnne B. Beebe, 81, of Loveland, Colo., passed away December 11, 2012.

She was born October 5, 1931 in Bennett, Colo., to Guy and Amy Summers. JoAnne married Victor Beebe on May 23, 1964 in Lakewood, Colo. She attended school in Byers, Colo. She lived in the Strasburg, Colo., and Byers, Colo., areas until moving to Denver, Colo., in 1955 then moving to Loveland, Colo., in 1964. JoAnne worked for Honeywell in Denver, Colo., from 1958 to 1964 in the Accounting Department. She was a member of the LifePointe Church in Fort Collins, Colo. She was a secretary for the Loveland Disabilities Advisory Commission for seven years.

She is survived by her husband, Victor Beebe of Loveland, Colo.; son, Jeffrey Beebe of Colorado; brothers, George Summers of Denver, Colo., David Summers of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sisters, Margaret Shuler of Denver, Colo., Maxine Gamble of Sulphur, La., Betty Hamilton of Denver, Colo., Annalee Cogar of Columbus, Ga., Paula Baer of Aurora, Colo.; and many, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Donald and Greald Summers.

Memorial services were held December 17, 2012 at LifePointe Church in Fort Collins, Colo.

Interment was at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Fort Collins, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to LifePointe Church Building Fund or Disabled Resource Services, Loveland, Colo., in care of Allnutt Funeral Service. ❖


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