Western Slope Obituaries 2-4-13
Kenneth R. Burns
Kenneth R. (Whitie) Burns, 83, of Hotchkiss, Colo., passed away January 20, 2013 at the Paonia Care Center after a five year battle with Alzheimer’s.
He was born April 6, 1929 in Ardmore, Okla., to John E. (Bud) and Biddie Burns and grew up in the Tishamingo, Okla., area. In high school he played football and participated in FFA. He fell in love with the first Hereford he saw and dreamed of owning his own herd one day. He finished high school and started working for ranches and showing cattle in Oklahoma, Oregon, California and Colorado. He traveled with these show cattle by railroad. In 1950 Whitie joined the Army and served in the Korean War until he was honorably discharged.
Whitie married Dolores Wright of Gillette, Wyo., and later divorced (she survives). They lived and worked on the O’Neill Ranch in Big Piney and the Haycreek Ranch, in Gillette, Wyo., before moving to Dillon, Colo. They brought into the world four children, Kenney, Susan, Karl and Sandra. Over time they all helped raise and exhibit Hereford bulls and heifers at many major livestock shows. Whitie was extremely proud of the King Rupert blood line with which he produced the first Register of Merit Sire in Colorado. From there they moved Burns Herefords to Hotchkiss, Colo., where Whitie lived the rest of his life and continued to be a dedicated Hereford man.
Whitie was an avid professional and high school football fan and in his later years enjoyed drinking iced tea and visiting with many friends at Roberts Short Stop.
Whitie is a Life Member of the American Hereford Assn, Honorary Delta County Fair Board Member, Honorary Hotchkiss FFA Chapter Member, belonged to the Colorado Cattlemen’s Assn, Colorado Hereford Assn, Delta County Livestock Assn, American Legion and the Elks.
He is survived by a brother AJ (Janice) Burns, Adams, Ore.; sister Pat Posey, Claremore, Okla.; sons Kenney (Teresa) Burns of Hotchkiss, Colo., Karl (Joetta) Burns of Paonia, Colo.; daughters Susan (Dave) Miller of Buena Vista, Colo., and Sandra (Nevil) Speer of Smiths Grove, Ky.; grandchildren Klayton (Sonya) Burns of Tifton, Ga., Kacie Burns of Paonia, Colo., Danny Shuss, Canon City, Colo., Brandi Miller of Colorado Springs, Colo., Codi Miller Buena Vista, Colo., and Lydia Speer of Smiths Grove, Ky.; and four great-grandchildren of Tifton, Ga., that he did not get a chance to know.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Hiram Burns, and sisters Mary Jane Burns, Arlene Haugan, Linda Burns, and Doris Selfridge.
A memorial service and barbeque will be held May 27, 2013 at one o’clock at Zack’s Barbeque Pavilion in Hotchkiss, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Whitie Burns Memorial Scholarship that has been set up through the Hotchkiss Elks BPOE #1807 and donations can be made through the Clem Audin Scholarship Fund, PO Box 96, Hotchkiss, Colo., 81419.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at TaylorFuneralService.com. ❖
Evelyn Olive Lund
Evelyn Olive (Bates) Lund, 95, passed away January 24, 2013.
She was born June 5, 1917 to Edward and Eva (Hinton) Bates near Crawford, Colo., where she grew up and graduated from Crawford High School in 1936, one of seven graduates that year.
Evelyn met Merle F. Lund, a flour miller in Crawford, Colo., with his brother, Walter.
They were married November 26, 1936. The couple moved to Paonia, Colo., in 1949 where they were fruit farmers for many years. Evelyn was the Secretary of Lund Brothers Fruit Company. They also enjoyed many years exploring the area for rocks as they were avid rock hunters, exhibiting at numerous rock and mineral shows. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1986.
Evelyn was a member of the First Christian Church in Paonia, Colo., where she taught Sunday School and served as president, secretary and treasurer of the Christian Women’s Fellowship.
She was also a member of the Paonia Garden Club and enjoyed many years working in her rose garden. She was very proud of the large magnolia tree that grew in the front yard.
She also served as secretary of the Paonia Senior Citizens organization for three years. She was a resident of Paonia Care and Rehabilitation Center for several years prior to her death.
She is survived by her son, George (Patricia) Lund of Paonia, Colo., and daughter Sharon (Dave) Howard of Nashville, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Michaele (Casey) Scofield, Eric (Cassie) Lund, Ted Lund, Cassandra Howard (Kyle) Osborne, Erica Howard (Elijah) Biehl, and Bryan (Beth) Howard; and seven great-grandchildren, Madeleine and Lillian Scofield, Isaiah and Chloe Lund, Sean Osborne, Madelyn Howard, and Gunner Christian Lund.
Memorial services will be scheduled at a later time.
Her inurnment will be next to her husband in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Paonia, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity.
Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at TaylorFuneralService.com. ❖
Leslie Dotson, Jr.
Leslie Dotson, Jr., 86, passed away January 19, 2013 at home.
He has irrigated his last field and hung up the shovel. He went to be with his Lord and family in heaven.
Leslie was the fourth of five siblings, all deceased, born to CL Dotson and Lena May (Brink) Dotson in Pueblo, Colo., in 1926. As a young man he worked on several ranches in the Collbran, Colo., and Ridgway, Colo., areas; moving on to work for the Railroad, Mesa and Garfield Counties. He then ranched for many years in the Porcupine Creek area south of Rifle, Colo.
Les enjoyed working (it was his hobby), never had a job he didn’t like, and was happiest with a full ditch of water. He was a man more comfortable thinking than talking. He was a kind and giving man.
Rest in peace our husband, father, and grandfather; your legacy will be remembered.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen (Boor) Dotson; son, Kirk (Patricia) Dotson of Rifle, Colo.; daughter, Kathy (Rusty) Leech of Grand Junction, Colo.; grandchildren, Megan (Jeff) Anastacio of Denver, Colo., and Kari (Joel) Sholtes of Ft. Collins, Colo.; great-grandson, Sawyer Anastacio, and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Dotson.
Memorial services will be held in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be to the First Christian Church in Rifle, Colo., or work on your garden or home with family. He would have wanted that.
Online condolences at RifleFuneralHome.com. ❖
