United States High School Yearbooks by County
Frank E. Zeleznikar
Former Leadville resident Frank E. Zeleznikar, 69, died on March 25, 2004.
Born to John and Eva (Kenick) Zeleznikar on May 8, 1934, in Leadville, Zeleznikar graduated from Leadville High School in 1952. He honorably served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves from November 1956 to November 1962 at Ft. Meade, Md.
After returning from the service, Zeleznikar married Peggy Ann Stanley. During this union, she bore four children: Frank, Shane, Roben and Lois. Zeleznikar remained in Leadville following the dissolution of this union until he met and married his wife, Rosemary, of Lakewood, Colo., on Dec. 29, 1972, settling in Golden a few years later.
He spent the majority of his working life with Safeway, taking a disability retirement in 1994.
Zeleznikar was an avid Bronco and Rockies fan, and enjoyed listening to KOA on his antique 9V transistor radio. He loved to cook and garden until his health limited his activities. He and his wife had close family and friends from Maine to California and enjoyed traveling during their later years. They visited many people on their travels, gathering colorful trinkets throughout their marriage, which they proudly displayed in their home. They also enjoyed gambling in Las Vegas and Central City/Blackhawk. They took great joy and pride in their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Zeleznikar was a member of the American Legion Robert Browning Post 17 and the American Slovenian Catholic Society Union (K.S.K.J.)
Zeleznikar was preceded in death by his parents; wife Rose; and four siblings.
Zeleznikar was able to remain in his home following his wife’s death until shortly before his own.
A memorial service will be held at Crown Hill Mortuary, 7777 West 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Colo., 80033 on April 3 at noon with graveside service following.
Lupe R. Griego
Former Center resident Lupe R. Griego, 72, died Nov. 11, 2004, in Leadville.
She was born Dec. 12, 1931, in La Garita, Colo., to Fidel and Dilia Archuleta Hurtado.
Griego worked many years at Copper Mountain and was an active member of the churches that she attended over the years.
Griego enjoyed sewing, making photo albums, crocheting and spending time with her loving family. Many nieces, nephews and friends loved her and she loved to pray for her family.
Griego was preceded in death by her parents Dilia and Fidel Hurtado; and sisters Faye Martinez and Alice Vigil.
Griego is survived by her husband Leopoldo Griego, Leadville; children Louise (Refugio) Cancino; Leo Jr. (Lorie) Griego; Dilia (Rick) Lara; and Richard (Anita) Griego; grandchildren Eli (Amanda) Cancino; Cheree (Linn) Autrey; Jessie Griego; Joshua (Alicia) Griego; Jason Griego; Jenifer Griego; Christopher Lara (Esmeralda Campos); Candice Sanchez (Eric Keel); Cynthia Sanchez (Brian McEvoy); Rico Archuleta-Griego; Damian Griego; and Dominic Griego; great grandchildren Taniza Cancino, Carson and Gabriela Griego, Sebastian Lara and Sunshine Campos; brothers and sisters Manuel (Gloria) Hurtado; Mary Archuleta; Susie (Steve) Archuleta; Jenny (Bobby) Tafoya; Arcino (Julie) Hurtado; Raymond (Delia) Hurtado; Martha (Dan) Dickey; Gloria (Phillip) Holt; George (Priscilla) Hurtado; and Penny (Larry) Arellano.
She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A prayer service was held on Nov. 14, 2004, at Templosion Church in Center. A funeral service was held on Nov. 15, 2004, at Assembly of God Church in Center. Interment followed at La Garita Cemetery in La Garita.
Arrangements are in care of Romero Funeral Home of Monte Vista.
Alex John Vargas
Alex John Vargas, 37, died Nov. 12, 2004, in Montrose, Colo.
He was born in Leadville on Jan. 17, 1967, to Alex and Dorothy Vargas.
He is survived by his parents in Leadville; daughter Melissa Vargas, Leadville; sister Flora Vargas; and brother Gerald Vargas, both in Edwards.
Family services were held at Bailey Funeral Home in Leadville.
Evelyn Oliver
Former longtime Leadville resident Evelyn Oliver, 84, died Dec. 6, 2004. She was born July 25, 1920.
She is survived by her two sons, Gary and Mickey, both of Rifle; four grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. There will be no services.
Kenneth W. Ehlenfeldt
Kenneth W. Ehlenfeldt, 86, died Sept. 22, 2004, in Clarkston, Wash., where he lived for the past several years.
Ehlenfeldt was born May 5, 1918, in Faulkton, S.D. When he was 16, he left Faulkton and drifted between Washington and Idaho.
In July 1942, he was inducted into the service in Ft. Lewis, Wash.; he was stationed at Camp Carson, Colo., as a cook for the duration of his service.
While there, he met and married Rowena (Sally) Kendrick, a dietician and also stationed at Camp Carson. She was then shipped overseas with the 31st General Hospital for 26 months and discharged in November 1945. Ehlenfeldt was discharged Jan. 6, 1946.
They spent a couple years in Oregon, where he worked mostly for sawmills. Then they moved to California where he was employed at Dill Lumber Co.
In 1957 they moved to Leadville, where Rowena Ehlenfeldt was born and raised. Together they built two businesses, Ken’s Paint Pot and Lumber Co. in 1957 and Lure-A-Lad dress shop in 1965. They also built a home next to the businesses.
Rowena Ehlenfeldt died in 1980 after a long illness. They had five children: Patty born in 1948, Rita in 1950, Connie in 1952, Carroll in 1956 and K.C. in 1960.
Ehlenfeldt married Gloria Moseley on April 25, 1981. Her five children (Wayne, Linda, Terry, Ronnie and Kim) were very close to Ehlenfeldt, especially Kim, since she was still in school when they married. Even though their marriage ended in divorce, they all remained close to Ken, and a very special part of the family.
When Ehlenfeldt finally decided to retire at 74 years of age, he closed the lumber yard and sold the property to his son K.C. He spent his winters in Arizona and his summers in Leadville with his family and his buddies at the Eagles and Elks. He then moved to Cascade, Idaho, to be closer to his daughter Rita. After his stroke there, several years ago, he moved to Clarkston, Wash., living with Rita for awhile and then moving in to Harmony House, where he died.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; wife Rowena in 1980; sons Carroll in 1956 and K.C. in 1999; daughter Patty in 1983; and grandson Nathan in 1985.
Ehlenfeldt is survived by daughters Rita (Mahlon) Hiestand, Clarkston, Wash.; and Connie (George) Sebestyen, Leadville; grandchildren Denny (Kirstina) Ivans, Tucson, Ariz.; Sandi (John) Palmer, Boyero, Colo.; Jeanette McDaugale, Leadville; Atika (Jason) Mascarenas, Leadville; Kristen (Mark) Roubidoux, Pullman, Wash.; Lee (Amy) Hiestand, Spokane, Wash.; Chantelle (Rick) Nash, Helena, Mont.; Cody Ehlenfeldt, Leadville; Tyler, Nick, Brandi and Sydnee Ehlenfeldt, Libby, Mont.; great grandchildren Erik, Adrian, Andrew, A.J., Shayla, Justin, Ricki, Ashlee, Conor, Bryson, Brady, Sam and Dom, with the 14th due in December.
The memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, at 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Leadville.
Billy Ray Steckler
Graveside services will be held at St. Joseph’s cemetery in Leadville on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, at 3 p.m. for Billy Ray Steckler, who died June 26, 2004, in Dublin, Ireland. Reverend Bill Blend will be presiding over the services.
Charles Florian “Charlie” Salazar
Charles Florian “Charlie” Salazar, 15, died July 20 near Gilman, Colo.
Salazar was born on Aug. 2, 1988, in Glenwood Springs to Theresa A. Casaus and Richard D. Salazar.
At the time of his death, Salazar was spending the summer with his grandfather, Fred, in Minturn. He was a student at Fruita Monument High School.
Salazar liked dirt biking, snow and skate boarding, drawing, fishing and hunting and anything outdoors. He enjoyed listening to rap and partying with his friends. He was especially fond of girls, and no one will ever forget how much he loved to smile.
Salazar is survived by his mother Theresa A. Casaus, Grand Junction; father Richard D. Salazar, Glenwood Springs; brothers Richard and Gabriel Salazar and sister Selena Salazar, all in Grand Junction; maternal grandparents Fred and Nella Casaus, Minturn and Grand Junction; paternal grandparents Florian (Rocky) and Cora Salazar, Minturn; uncles and aunts Fred and Connie Casaus, Jr.; Jerome and Susie Gallegos; Anthony and Cathy Valdez, Jr.; and Lorraine Trujillo and Joe Salazar.
He is also survived by his cousins Melissa, Eric, Fabian, Amanda, Alicia, Jerome, Clarissa, Tammy, Annette, Rocky, Kathleen, Jolyn, Joey, Billie Joe and Lorrie.
Visitation was held on July 25 followed by the Rosary, and Mass of Christian Burial was held July 26, both at St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Minturn. Father Frank Maroney officiated and interment was in River View Cemetery in Minturn.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home in Leadville.
