United States High School Yearbooks by County
Sister Mary Elaine Murphy
Sister Mary Elaine Murphy, 90, a Sister of Charity of
Leavenworth, formerly a teacher and principal, died on July 25,
2003, at Ross Hall, Mother House, Leavenworth, Kan.
Nora Murphy was born on June 8, 1913, in Leadville, one of eight
children of Dennis and Julia Sullivan Murphy. She graduated
from St. Mary’s Grade School and Leadville High School.
She entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of
Leavenworth on July 8, 1940, and as Sister Mary Elaine, made
her profession of vows on Jan. 9, 1942.
She received a B.S. in education from the University of Saint
Mary Leavenworth, Kan.
After profession, she was a teacher, principal, and caregiver for
children at various places in Colorado, Kansas and Montana. In
1988, she began her service as receptionist at St. Joseph Hospital
in Denver.
She retired to Ross Hall in 1999.
She was preceded in death by her aunt, Sister Laurentia Sullivan,
SCL.
She is survived by a sister, Margaret Murphy, Denver.
A vigil was held on July 27 in Ross Chapel of the Sisters of
Charity Mother House in Leavenworth. Mass of Resurrection was
celebrated in Ross Chapel on July 28.
Interment followed in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the Mother
House grounds.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of
Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS
66048-5054.
William Gartman
William Gartman, 58, a recent resident of Leadville, died last
month in Cheyenne, Wyo., of complications from diabetes. He
had been an employee of St. Vincent Hospital.
Gartman died surrounded by friends. He is especially missed by
his friends and family at St. George Episcopal Church in Leadville.
Per his request, his ashes will be scattered from a local mountain.
For more information, feel free to contact George or Ali Lufkin at 486-9408.
Frank Goris
Frank Goris, 88, died Aug. 7, 2003, in Papillion, Neb.
Goris was born June 3, 1915, in Leadville to Bob and Hazel
Goris. He lived in Leadville and at the Fish Hatchery at Malta. He
went to the Soda Springs school and the Leadville schools,
graduating from Leadville High School (now the National Mining
Hall of Fame and Museum) in 1933.
He married Rachel Pease, a deaconess at the Methodist Church, in
1939. They moved to Denver where he and his brother Leonard
worked in the construction business for several years. She died in
1977.
Goris and Ruth were married in 1979. They lived in Denver and
Westminster until they moved to Papillion, Neb. for health
reasons. He and Ruth loved to square dance and entertain old and
young people by their clown acts. Ruth died in 2001.
Goris had many hobbies and was quite dedicated to Leadville
history. He made the replica of the Leadville Ice Palace that is
now in the Heritage Museum. One of his many accomplishments,
he made it to the exact ‘scale’ as the real Ice Palace.
Goris will be remembered by his cheery smile and his friendliness
to all.
Goris was preceded in death by his parents; sister Thelma; brother
Leonard; first wife Rachel; and second wife Ruth.
He is survived by his step-daughter Rae Leah Sidwell and her
husband; many nieces, nephews and other relations.
Memorial services were held Monday at the Senior Center
Retirement Home in Papillion, Neb. He was cremated and a
memorial service will be held next spring in Leadville.
Robert “Bob” Edward Shimmin
Robert Shimmin, 75, known as Bob to his friends, died at his home
in Carbondale, Colo., on Aug. 6.
He was born on March 23, 1928, in Leadville to Robert and
Marie (Duplice) Shimmin.
He attended St. Mary's school in Leadville and remained a devout
Catholic throughout his life. He moved to Glenwood Springs in 1983
and to Carbondale in 1999.
Shimmin was preceded in death by his father, Bob Shimmin; mother,
Marie Center; stepfather, Francis Center; and brother, Laurence
Shimmin.
He is survived by his brother, Charles Shimmin; and sister-in-law,
Linda "Bear" Shimmin of Surprise, Ariz.
Shimmin loved Leadville, Indians, Spanish music, fishing and fire
stations. He spent a great deal of time at the fire station in
Leadville and was happiest when he made his annual sojourn
back to Leadville each year for the Boom Days Parade. Shimmin
became somewhat of a celebrity in Leadville as he led the parade,
riding proudly in the front seat of the 1928 Model A Ford fire
truck that rolled off the assembly line in the year of his birth. He
waved to the crowds, grinning with pleasure as he wound through
the streets, remembering the days of his youth.
Shimmin will be missed by his many friends, his family and by
the residents and staff of Mountain Valley Developmental
Services who have enjoyed the pleasure of his company for the
past 20 years. He will be fondly remembered as a kind-hearted
man with a delightful sense of humor and a sweetness all too rare
in today's world.
Interment was beside his mother in St. Joseph's Cemetery in
Leadville. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial
donations be made in his name to Leadville/Lake County Fire
Rescue. Donations can be sent to Leadville/Lake County Fire
Rescue, 816 Harrison Ave., Leadville, CO 80461.
Bailey Funeral Home in Leadville is handling arrangements.
Elsie Meese
Elsie Meese, 96, of Rifle died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at Grand
River Hospital in Rifle.
Meese was born April 10, 1907, in Leadville to Alma Thorne and
Edward James Walsh. She spent her childhood in Leadville.
She married William Meese on Aug. 20, 1934, in Salida.
Meese was a homemaker who loved cooking, and collected
hundreds of cook books. She enjoyed traveling, photography,
fishing and rock hunting with her friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, who died Oct. 12,
1962, in Rifle; brothers Jim, Henry and Edgar Walsh; sister
Minnie Orr; daughter, Marrianne Booth; and grandchildren Randy
and Janice Booth.
She is survived by her sons William Meese and Henry Meese,
both of Rifle; daughter Jeanne Lytle of Junction City, Kan.; and
by two grandchildren, including Tom Lytle; and two great
grandchildren.
Visitation was held Aug. 14 at the Rifle Funeral Home.
A memorial service was held on Aug. 15 at the Rifle Funeral
Home Chapel with the Rev. Scott Vice officiating.
Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Leadville.
Arrangements were handled by Rifle Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.
