United States High School Yearbooks by County
Albert Louis Arnold
Albert Louis Arnold, 86, died Nov. 28 at Rose Medical Center in Denver.
He was born in Crookston, Minn., on Jan. 18, 1917, to George and Frieda (Kuckuk) Arnold.
He graduated in 1934 from Tolley High School in North Dakota, and in 1935, he and his family moved to Colorado.
On May 24, 1941, Arnold married Dorothy Hockett of Salida.
Arnold served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was stationed in Ft. Knox, Kentucky and in the copper mines at Bisbee, Ariz.
He worked as an electrician and electrical foreman for the Climax Molybdenum Mine for nearly 34 years.
Arnold belonged to the Carbonate Lodge #16, I.O.O.F. of Leadville.
He was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed hunting and fly tying.
After retirement he stayed busy working around his home and yard and helping many others in the community.
Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers Fred, Eugene and Bill.
Arnold is survived by his wife Dorothy Arnold of 62 years, Leadville; daughters Ruth (Ignatius) Dugie, Bisbee, Ariz.; and Peggy (Kelly) Burnett, Monte Vista, Colo.; sister Elizabeth (Lenny) Krashefski, Conn.; grandchildren Duane Albert Dugie, Christopher Dugie, Sean (Tonia) Burnett, Kevin Burnett, Erin Burnett, Nathan Burnett and Kyle Burnett; and great grandchildren Christian and Joslyn Burnett.
Memorial services were held Dec. 3 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Leadville. The Reverend Austin Van Pelt officiated and Glenda Dunn sang accompanied by Lynette Booth. Following services the family received friends at a reception in the church basement.
Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the National Arthritis Foundation, c/o Rebekah Assembly, Jackie Schneiderwent, Secretary, 4230 E. 125th Ave., Thornton, CO 80241.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Albert “Bill” William Bezzic, Jr.
Albert “Bill” William Bezzic, Jr., 67, of Leadville, died in St. Vincent Hospital Nov. 25, 2003.
He was born Feb. 24, 1936, in Kimberly, White Pine County, Nev., to Albert W. and Mary F. Podpechan Bezzic.
Bezzic was raised in Leadville and served in the United States Air Force.
He worked and retired from the Climax Mine after 30 years.
Bezzic loved working on cars and trucks and anything mechanical, and liked to hunt, fish and ski. He loved his cats.
He was a member of K.S.K.J. in Leadville.
He was preceded in death by his father Albert Bezzic.
He is survived by his mother Mary Bezzic, Leadville; brother John “Jack” Bezzic, Leadville; nephew Jack L. Bezzic, Denver; niece Dr. Aleta L. Bezzic, Grove, Okla.; grandnieces Mary Lynn Bezzic and P. J. Bezzic, Grove, Okla.
Recitation of Rosary was held Nov. 28 at St. Joseph Catholic Church led by Aleta Bezzic and Mass of Christian Burial was held Nov. 29, also at St. Joseph Catholic Church officiated by Father Jay Jung.
Music was provided by Joan Dawson and Neil Reynolds.
Pallbearers were Keith Dawson, Joe Hren, Frank Hren, Andy Borrego, Bob Savoren and Frank Bradach. Honorary pallbearers were Tony Podpechan and Joe Jakopic.
Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery. Arrangements were by Runyan Mortuary, Buena Vista.
Kenneth E. Diedrich
Kenneth E. Diedrich, 80, died Dec. 1 at his home in Leadville.
He is survived by his wife Beth Diedrich, Leadville; and children Paul Diedrich, Kurt Diedrich and Jean Bretz.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Leadville.
Those wishing may make memorial contributions to either the Elks Lodge, P.O. Box 856, Leadville, CO 80461, or to the American Lung Association of Colorado, 1600 Race St., Denver, CO 80206.
Arrangements are being handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Kenneth Eugene Diedrich
Kenneth Eugene Diedrich died Mon. Dec. 1, at his home in
Leadville. Diedrich was 80 years old. He was born in Byers,
Colo., on Jan. 13, 1923. His parents were the late Paul and
Isabelle (McDonald) Diedrich.
Diedrich grew up in Byers and graduated from high school
there before enlisting in the United States Navy.
After serving two enlistments, which included the Normandy
lnvasion and the Korean War, Diedrich received an
Honorable Discharge and returned to Colorado.
He went to work for the Climax Molybdenum Mine.
Diedrich met his future bride in Leadville, and on June 13,
1953, married the former Elizabeth “Beth” McEacherin in
Raton, N.M. Together they had three children.
After 17 years at Climax, Diedrich went into business with
his brother, Orin, in construction. Diedrich and his brother
operated their business for the next 13 years. Diedrich
returned to Climax, retiring in 1980, and eventually became
a consultant and hoist operator for the Diamond Shaft.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was always working on
something. Whether it was some sort of house repair or
mechanical job, Diedrich stayed busy.
Diedrich was a lifetime member of the Leadville Elk's Lodge
and also belonged to the Masons and V.F.W.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers,
William Orin and Harold Diedrich, and one sister, Irma Gage.
He is survived by his wife Beth in Leadville, daughter Jean
(Richard) Bretz, in Wallace. Kan.; two sons, Paul (Gigi)
Diedrich in Leadville and Kurt (Teresa) Diedrich, in Azle,
Texas; one sister, Betty Goreham, in Denver and five
grandsons, Blake, Warren and Kaler Bretz and Kelby and
Kury Cox. He is also survived by numerous nieces and
nephews.
Memorial services were held on Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. at the First
Presbyterian Church in Leadville.
The Rev. Frances McWilliams officiated, and Joan Dawson
sang accompanied by Lynette Booth.
Honorary Pallbearers were Kenny Vosberg, Don Green, Bob
Olson, and Warren, Blake and Kaler Bretz.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Those wishing may make memorial contributions to either
the Leadville Elk's Lodge, P. O. Box 856, Leadville, CO 80461
or to the American Lung Association of Colo, 1600 Race St.,
Denver, CO 80206.
Howard Grindstaff
Howard Grindstaff, 72, a longtime resident of Leadville, died from emphysema Nov. 4, 2003, in his boyhood home of Spruce Pine, N. C.
He was born March 18, 1931, to Charles Jefferson and Nettie Miller Grindstaff.
Grindstaff was a veteran of the Navy and the Air Force, a graduate of Colorado Mountain College, and was self-employed most of his life.
He was preceded in death by five brothers and five sisters.
Grindstaff is survived by his wife Nell Grindstaff, a former middle school teacher with the Lake County School District for more than 25 years; and daughters Beverly Grindstaff; and Myra Chisholm.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mitchell County, P.O. Box 38, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 or Spruce Pine United Methodist Church, 11090 NC 226S, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
