United States High School Yearbooks by County
Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Speaks
Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Speaks, 56, died June 7 at her home in Leadville.
She was born on August 9, 1943 in Taos County, N.M. to Filadelphio and Josie (Vigil) Gurule.
She was a longtime resident of Leadville, where she was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church. She loved music, dancing and most of all, she loved her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Speaks, Leadville; son James Speaks, Canon City; three brothers Eddie (Pauline) Gurule, Gypsum; Albert (Juanita) Gurule, Leadville; and Danny (Geraldine) Gurule, Leadville; two sisters Mary (Fred) Mondragon, Pueblo; and Clieo (Marcello) Arguello, Leadville; grandchildren Mallory and Joshua Speaks and Jasmine Arguello.
She is also survived by her very best friend Rosie Gouchnor; one godchild Annette Arguello; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The Rosary was recited on June 12 and the Mass of Christian Burial on June 13, both at Annunciation Catholic Church. Father Tom Killeen officiated both services.
Music was provided at the Rosary by Bobby Mascarenas and at the Mass by Joan Dawson and Jean Elliott.
Pallbearers were Danny Gurule, Jr., Albert Gurule, Jr., Joshua Speaks, Eddie Gurule, Jr., Teo Tarango and Marshall DeVargas. Honorary pallbearers were Jasmine Arguello and Mallory Speaks.
Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Receptions were held at the Eagles Lodge and La Cantina Restaurant.
Arrangements were handled by the Bailey Funeral Home.
Janet C. Johnson
Janet C. Johnson, 68, died Sept. 20 in Wheat Ridge.
She was born March 27, 1932 in Leadville. She attended St. Joseph's School of Nursing for three years.
She married Kenneth Johnson Jan. 13, 1952.
She was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Arvada. She enjoyed the Bronco's, the Rockies, the saxophone, musicals and bowling.
She was a funeral counselor for Horan and McConaty Funeral Services.
The Rosary was recited Sept. 24 and Mass of Christian Burial Sept. 25, both at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Arvada. She was cremated.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Johnson, Arvada; son Robert K. (Lynn) Johnson, Lakewood; daughters Janna L., Lakewood; and L. Suzie (John), Littleton; sisters Marilyn Montgomery; and Johnette Sullivan; and five grandchildren.
John R. Pitts
John R. Pitts, 88, died Dec. 3 at the Extended Care Unit at St. Vincent General Hospital.
Visitation was Dec. 5. Services were Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. at the Annunciation Catholic Church. Committal was at 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at Elks Rest Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Gary Baker Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 225, Leadville, CO 80461 or to the Extended Care Unit at St. Vincent General Hospital, 822 W. 4th St., Leadville, CO 80461.
Arrangements are by Bailey Funeral Home.
Shirley A. 'Ronnie' East
Leadville resident Shirley A. 'Ronnie' East, 70, died Nov. 24 at St. Anthony's Central Hospital in Denver. She was born on April 23, 1930 in Moline, Ill. to Herman and Annie Ronquist. She grew up on a farm in Cable, Ill. until the age of 14, when her father died, then moved back to Moline with her mother.
She graduated from Moline High School in 1948 and the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1952, where she received her degree in English. She then taught school, mostly to grade school aged children, first in Austria on a military base and then in Colorado. Her last teaching was as a substitute for the schools in Leadville.
She married Jack H. East of Denver in 1952. In 1960, they purchased the radio station KBRR in Leadville, which she ran until the late 1970's. She had her own radio shows and also did numerous radio commercials. Ronnie and Jack adopted their son JJ in March of 1970 when he was only 3 months old. After Jack died in 1975 and she was left alone with JJ, she dedicated her life to being the best mother she possibly could be, and that she was. She raised JJ, loving and supporting him unconditionally, and they always had a very close and loving relationship. As a side note, she was a terrific mother-in-law to JJ's wife Shasta. The two were close friends and always enjoyed each other's company tremendously.
She was an animal lover, and would always donate time and money to various animal related charities. For this reason it is requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Ronnie's name to:
Planned Pethood Assistance, Inc.
316 Mt. Yale Drive
Leadville, Colorado 80461.
She touched the lives of everyone she met. She was very well liked, very well loved, and will be missed by all.
Juanita L. Moore
Juanita L. Moore, 90, died Nov. 22 in the Extended Care Unit of St. Vincent General Hospital.
She was born Oct. 7, 1910, to Clyde and Mary Hague in Buckner, Missouri.
She moved to Leadville in 1937, where she met and made many friends and became active in the community. She left Leadville in1944, returning in 1946 to be near her friends.
She married George F. Moore, a railroader, on April 8, 1948.
She enjoyed crocheting, painting and making quilts, which she gave to family and friends.
She was a member of the Cloud City Rebekah Lodge #38 and contributed much of her craft work to their Bazaar each year and maintained the records of the Odd Fellows Cemetery for many years. She was an Elder of the First United Presbyterian Church of Leadville and counted the collection every Monday morning for many years. Her service to the church included being a delegate to Presbytery, singing in the choir, leading the women's group and teaching Sunday school. She was an active leader in the community, organized the first PTA for the Lake County School District and worked as an election judge for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband George in 1978; daughter Carol Richardson; and grandson Donald Goetsch in 1999.
She is survived by her daughter Jacquie (Ervin) Goetsch, Leadville; six grandchildren Kenneth (Connie) Goetsch and Richard Goetsch, Leadville; Linda Joy (Dwight) Kochevar, Silt, Colo.; Tom (Peggy) Goetsch, Virginia Beach, Va.; Phyllis Duran, Temple, Texas; and Cheryl Heinz, Grand Junction.
She is also survived by her daughter-in-laws Deanne Goetsch, Colorado Springs; and Linda Powell, Leadville; and 18 great grandchildren.
She was buried next to her husband in the Odd Fellows Cemetery on Nov. 25 with graveside services conducted by the Rebekah Lodge. Memorial services were conducted by Pastor Tom Abbott at the First Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cloud City Rebekah Lodge #38, P.O. Box 564, Leadville, CO 80461 or the First United Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 498, Leadville, CO 80461.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
