Paul Wesley Irvin

Paul Wesley Irvin, 86, of Hereford, Colo. passed away July 22, 2012 at Greeley Medical Center.

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He was born February 16, 1926 in Coin, Iowa, to Wesley Irvin and Olive (Ollie) Irvin-Kelly. Paul graduated from college in Spring, Iowa, in 1944.

In 1944, Paul married Betty Sproul. They had one daughter, Linda that was born to that marriage.

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He also joined the Navy in 1944. He was stationed at NRS Omaha, Neb., NTS Farragut, Idaho, RB Shoemaker, Calif., USS Sheridan in the South Pacific. The Pacific Fleet Flagship, USS Missouri and the USS Sheridan saw the signing of the Peace Proclamation on September 2, 1945. The USS Sheridan earned six battle stars and two stars for the Philippine Liberation.

Paul was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1946. He also received a Victory Medal. After Paul’s discharge, he worked heavy construction, building dikes along the Missouri River and also high line poles around Clarinda, Iowa.

Paul’s first marriage ended in 1946. In 1948, Paul met and married Miss Mary Jeanne Arthur of New Market, Iowa. Two sons were born to this marriage, Michael and Danny. Paul moved his family to Colorado in 1951. In Colorado, another child was born to this family, a daughter, Robin.

Paul worked on the Brackenbury and Ackerman Ranches. In 1959 Paul went to work for the Colorado State Highway Department. He started in Wellington, Colo., for the State and then moved to Livermore, Colo., and continued to work for the State while building a bar and restaurant called the Hide-A-Way.

Paul retired from the State Highway Department in 1980. He moved to California where his wife and son, Michael were managing a business called Heber Auto Dismantlers.

Paul returned to Colorado after he separated from his second wife in 1982. Once back in Colorado he started working for Colorado Lien and worked there for 10 years.

Paul remarried in 1985 to Clara Trimble and lived east of Wellington, Colo., for 10 years. Paul and Clara moved to Cody, Wyo., in 2000. They raised miniature horses and also went to shows with their miniature horses. Paul and Clara returned to Colorado in 2005. They have lived in Hereford, Colo., for the past seven years.

Paul loved to fish and drive his John Deer Tractors, plus he insisted on having a garden every year.

Paul was a member of the American Legion Post No. 4 in Laporte, Colo. He was a life time member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post No. 2673 in Cody, Wyo.

He is survived by his wife, Clara of Hereford, Colo.; two children, Michael Irvin in Ely, Nev., and Robin Daniels (Irvin) of Fort Collins, Colo.; three step-children, Steve Trimble in Burns, Wyo., Kathy Schrum (Trimble) of Laporte, Colo., and Marty Trimble of Fort Collins, Colo.; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and six great-step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; a brother-in-law; his daughter, Linda and son, Danny; and his second wife, Mary Jeanne.

A private service will be held.

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

Orville Peterson

Orville C. Peterson, 94, of Bennett, Colo., passed away August 2, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Orville’s parents, Cyrus and Ella May Newschwanger Peterson homesteaded near Cheyenne Wells, Colo., in 1916, where Orville was born in a sod house on June 28, 1917. Two years later, he and his family moved to Eckley, Colo., then to Boulder, Colo. In 1924, he and his family then moved to a dry land farm near Bennett, Colo., in 1929 where he lived until he moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2003.

During his youth, Orville enjoyed hunting for rabbit, coyote and badgers. Over the years his farm grew to 1,520 acres, and when in full operation, raised 60 to 80 pigs for market each year, fed an average of 20 to 40 cows, and used around six to 10 horses and two mules to work the soil. In the years following, he grew dry land crops including corn, milo, hay, wheat, and raised Herford cattle. In the early years, he broke horses to ride, including his own horse, Dynamite.

It was Orville’s honesty and old fashion work ethic and respect for nature that defined the man we all remember. He was the neighbor that people could always count on­ — always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a caring and giving attitude and a generous and gentle heart, and the value of a true friendship that permeated everything he did. His legacy will always be remembered as an honest, hardworking farmer, rancher, neighbor, son, brother, and uncle at the end of Peterson Road. He never forgot a face or business dealing. He loved helping people and was sought out by many for his advice and experience as a farmer and cattleman.

Orville remained on the farm where he was raised to care for his aging parents until they passed away. Each year, after the farming was done and crops put up and following his retirement in 1985, Orville continued to go hunting and fishing with his friends and regularly visited the surrounding flea markets and farm sales.

In June of 2003, he sold his farm, where he had lived and worked for over 73 years, and moved to Colorado Springs, Colo.

He is survived by a sister, Ella Mae Butts of Colorado Springs, Colo., and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyrus and Ella May, brothers Loyal, James, Elvin, and Cleo, and sisters Geneva Hoover, and Ester Krout.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on September 1, 2012 at the Mountain View Mortuary, 2350 Montebello Square Dr. in Colorado Springs, Colo., 80919.

A private family interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery in Bennett, Colo. ❖

Gordon Potter

Gordon Potter, 82, of Greeley, Colo., passed away at Hospice of Northern Colorado on August 3, 2012.

He was born September 28, 1929 in North Platte, Neb., to Edwin Homer and Magdaleana Dorothia Emily (Huebner) Potter.

He married Elizabeth Ann Baker on June 26, 1949 at the First Presbyterian Church in North Platte, Neb.

He graduated from North Platte High School and lived in North Platte, Neb., for 24 years before moving to Greeley, Colo., in 1953.

Gordon was a salesman for International Harvester/Ellis & Capp Equipment Co. for 48-1/2 years, retiring in 2002.

He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. He was involved in Jaycees, was a Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts Troop No. 13 and Explorer Scouts, Greeley Trail Dusters, Elks BPOE 809, and Red Feather Lakes Home Owners Association. He loved working in his woodshop and riding motorcycles.

Gordon’s family was very important to him. He never met a stranger and never forgot a name.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Potter; sons, Bill Potter of Gillette, Wyo., Dick (Fran) Potter of Story, Wyo., Jack (Gayle) Potter of Loveland, Colo., and Tom (LeighAnn) Potter of LaSalle, Colo.; a special cousin, Loren Potter of Scottsbluff, Neb.; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harold and an infant sister.

Memorial services were held August 7, 2012 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Interment was at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northern Colorado in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, Colo., 80631.

Family and friends may view the online obituary and sign the guestbook at http://www.Allnutt.com. ❖

Esther Wiedeman

Esther Wiedeman, 86, of Gilcrest, Colo., passed away August 4, 2012, at North Colorado Medical Center.

She was born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Fritzler) Schafer in Greeley, Colo., where she grew up on the family farm west of Greeley, Colo.

On November 24, 1946, she married Robert Wiedeman. They moved to the Gilcrest, Colo., area in 1959 after farming for several years west of Greeley, Colo.

Esther worked from 1968-84 as a surgical nurse assistant at Memorial Hospital in Greeley, Colo. She was active in the Order of Eastern Star and held several offices within the organization. She was also involved in many ladies clubs. She and her husband had a passion to join friends at the local Dutch Hops.

Esther was known for her wonderful hospitality in welcoming family and friends into her home with the most wonderful meals and baked goods. She was a lifetime member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her son, Terry (Jan) Wiedeman of Platteville, Colo.; daughter, Bobbie Weber of Cedar Hills, Utah; grandchildren, Jason Wiedeman of Cibolo, Texas, Kris Mascarenas of Denver, Colo., Melissa Mascarenas of Colorado Springs, Colo., Craig (Michelle) Wiedeman, Carla (Ryan) Harding all of Platteville, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Kade Harding, Addison Harding, Joshua Wiedeman and Adrianna Wiedeman; a sister, Lydia Loeffler; and sister-in-law, Venice Schafer, both of LaSalle, Colo.; brother-in-law, Albert (Dorothy) Wiedeman; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Wiedeman all of Greeley, Colo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Ruth Schafer, Paul and Margaret Schafer; brother, Carl Schafer; sister and brother-in-law, Maria and Gordon Joslyn; brothers-in-law and wives, Art and Leoda Wiedeman , John and Bertha Wiedeman; brothers-in-law, Raymond Wiedeman and Jerome Loeffler; and sister-in-law and husband, Dorrine and Walter Buxmann.

Esther had many special friends including, Darlene and Larry Ford, Bernie and Julie Nettersheim, Rufina Kaltenberger, Alberta Hergenreder, Irma Cogburn, Kathleen Davis and Kathy Taylor.

Memorial services were held August 9, 2012, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1800 21st Ave., Greeley, Colo.

Interment was at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Order of Easter Star or any organization of your choice in care of Adamson Funeral & Cremation Services, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, Colo., 80634.

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

Kenneth Dale Esarey

Kenneth Dale Esarey, 63, of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away July 29, 2012, from Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo.

He was born July 1, 1949, in Goodland, Kan., to Donald P. and Alvina A. Esarey. Ken said being born in Kansas was the only blemish to his Colorado record.

Ken graduated from the University of Northern Colorado and received a BS Degree in Elementary Education and Arts and Sciences, with a minor in Math. He received a Master’s Degree in Christian School Administration from Grace Theological Seminary.

He married Gayle M. Northup on August 4, 1972, in Greeley, Colo., and to this union three children were born. They resided in Fort Collins, Colo., for 39 years. Ken was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His heart was that we are all blessed to be a blessing.

He was an active member of Timberline Church and was involved in the outreach to internationals. He was a math instructor and tutor at Front Range Community College and established Esarey Bookkeeping Service. His other interests included sports, history, washer toss, and music. His favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 40:31.

He is survived by his wife, Gayle; son, Steven Esarey; daughters, Kathryn Esarey, and Kristyn (Esarey) and husband John Reierson; grandchildren, David, Matthew, and Elizabeth Reierson; brother, Duane Esarey; sister, Katherine (Esarey) Drotar.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Alvina Esarey and sisters, Phyllis and Dora Kay Esarey.

Memorial services were held August 8, 2012 at the Timberline Church in Fort Collins, Colo.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kenneth Esarey Missions Fund, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colo., 80526. ❖

Wanda P. Kramer

Wanda P. Kramer, 81, of Keenesburg, Colo., passed away August 6, 2012.

She was born March 30, 1931 in Briton, Okla., to Earl and Lorene (Tomlin) Rosson.

She attended schools in Ft. Smith, Ark., and later married William Kramer in January 1954 in Vanburen, Ark.

Wanda has lived in Keenesburg, Colo., since 1969. She worked as a cook for Brighton 27J and Weld RE3J school districts for 20 years.

In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, growing her flowers, cooking and baking for all those that entered her house. She enjoyed canning and preparing foods and handcrafting her Christmas gifts. Wanda loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Ed (Pat) Thomas of Westminster, Colo., Kenneth (Kathy) Kramer of Hudson, Colo., ,Steve (Danette) Kramer of Prospect Valley, Colo., Annette (Fritz) Farner of Commerce City, Colo., and Michael Kramer of Hudson, Colo.; sisters, Betty Molohon of California and Jeanette Jackson of Washington; 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Kramer in 2005; son, Ronald in 1969; brother, Harvey in 1991; daughter-in-law, Sheryl Kramer in 2010 and one grandson, Daryl Kramer in 1984.

Memorial services were held August 9, 2012 at Tabor-Rice Funeral Home in Brighton, Colo.

Interment was at Hoyt Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Namaste Hospice, 1633 Fillmore Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colo., 80206. ❖