United States High School Yearbooks by County
Walt Mehle
Walt Mehle, 79, died April 25 at his home in Leadville.
Mehle was born in Leadville on May 21, 1924, to Anton and
Apolonia (Grebenec) Mehle.
After graduating from Leadville High School, Mehle decided
to enlist in the service. However, he was too young so his
mother had to sign, giving permission for her son to enter
the United States Coast Guard Merchant Marines.
Following an honorable discharge, Mehle returned to
Leadville, where he married the former Jeanette Parlin on
Jan. 13, 1952.
He worked for Smith Lumber Co., first as a truck driver and
then as a clerk. After more than 45 years of service, he
retired.
Mehle served three terms on the Leadville City Council. He
belonged to the Leadville Elk's Lodge #236.
He enjoyed fishing, duck hunting, playing pool and travel of
all kinds. But what he especially liked was gambling. He was
also an avid fan of crossword puzzles.
Mehle’s family will always remember hearing his favorite
exclamation “Oh sugar.” However, they thought it was a
“cleaned-up” version of another favorite phrase.
Mehle was preceded in death by his parents; daughter
Sandra Sue, who died in infancy; brothers Anthony, who was
killed in WWII, and John; and sisters Paula Alber and
Ludmilla Magura.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jeanette Mehle,
Leadville; daughters Janet (Dennis) Oltmann, Westminster;
and Judy Mehle, Ft. Collins; sisters Ernestine Cosseboom, of
both Leadville and Denver; and Sylvia Soderberg, Spokane,
Wash.; nieces Darlyne Fuller and Cynthia DeBoer; numerous
other nieces and nephews as well as many friends.
According to his wishes, Mehle was cremated.
A memorial service was held on April 28 at the Leadville Elk's
Lodge. Pastor Russell Baker officiated along with the officers
of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #236.
Honorary pallbearers were Dennis Oltmann, Les Parlin, Don
Gotfrey, David Hembry, Paul Ambrose, Jim Morrison III and
Vince Marcella.
Following the services the Lodge hosted a reception for the
family and friends.
Mehle’s ashes will be privately interred in Elk's Rest
Cemetery in Leadville.
The family suggests, those wishing, may make memorial
contributions in Mehle’s name to either the Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer Foundation, 1835 Franklin St., Denver, CO
80218, or to the American Diabetes Association, 2480 W. 26
Ave., #120B, Denver, CO 80211.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Fred C. Lesmeister
Former Leadville resident Fred C. Lesmeister, 66, died May
6 in Cañon City.
Lesmeister was born May 9, 1937, in Halliday, N.D., to
Stephen and Eva Maria (Gearhart) Lesmeister.
He married Virgene Anderson.
Lesmeister was a former member of the Eagles Lodge of
Leadville and past president of OCAW-224410 of Climax. He
was Catholic by faith. He loved to work on vehicles and
woodworking.
Lesmeister was preceded in death by his parents; and
brothers Anthony and Harry.
Lesmeister is survived by his wife Virgene Lesmeister,
Cañon City; children Anthony Duane (Susana) Lesmeister;
William Joseph Lesmeister; Gina Lana Dare; and Mary Ann
Lesmeister; grandchildren Jonathan Cline; Christopher
Lesmeister Sharpe; and Erica Lesmeister Sharpe; brothers
Leo (Gerry) Lesmeister; and William Lesmeister; sisters
Katherine Odermann; Irene (Joe) Hartman; Marcel (Ralph)
Hartman; and Bernice Lesmeister; sister-in-law Sharon
(Edward) Smith; brother-in-law Ronald (Barbara) Anderson;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, May 13, at 11
a.m. at the Catholic Cemetery in Leadville.
Arrangements are being handled through Holt Family
Funeral Home, 806 Macon Ave., Cañon City, 81212; 719-
275-4113.
Mary Louise Morrison
Mary Louise Morrison, 62, died May 2 in Las Vegas.
Memorial Service Mass will be held on Saturday, May 15, at 10 a.m. at the Annunciation Church.
Father Mike Kerrigan will officiate.
Wilmer “Bill” Olson
Wilmer “Bill” Olson, devoted and much-loved husband of the late Yvonne G. Olson, died on June 16.Olson was born in Leadville to Ellen and Gus Malmgren on Dec. 11, 1921.He was raised by John and Tillie Lief Olson.He was proud to serve his country during both World War II and the Korean Conflict, and was a Veteran of Foreign Wars.Olson was a long-standing brother in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; he served as Exalted Ruler from 1982 to 1983 in Lodge #789, Pomona, Calif.Known as “The Swede” to his classmates in Cripple Creek, Colo., Olson went on to become the general manager of quality control during an accomplished 40-year career with the General Dynamics Corporation, a pioneer in the aerospace industry. He also served as a community patrolman for the Claremont Police Department’s VIP Program, and was a member of the International Society of Thespians.He is survived by his daughter Jacqui Olson; grandchildren Aaron and Karin; great grandchildren Acacia and Milan; and sisters Edith Long, Lakewood; and Ellen Jackson, Leadville. A memorial service was held on Monday, June 21, at the Todd Memorial Chapel in Pomona, Calif. Todd Memorial Chapel was in charge of all arrangements.
Lorna May Lane
Former Leadville resident Lorna May Lane, 68, died in her Denver home on May 17, 2004, after a series of complications from two strokes and a fractured femur. Prior to her illness, Lane and her husband Glen of 30 years had plans to sell their Denver home and retire in their Leadville home where Glen had lived and grew up. Lane loved Leadville, the people and all the beautiful trees and mountains. Her passion was music; she could sing songs from musicals and all the big band tunes.Lane is survived by her husband Glen; children Joyce Rothenberger; Catherine Bauer; Nancy Holliday; Jerry Smollen; stepson Dirk Lane; and grandchildren Josh, Laura, Lisa and Scarlett.A graveside service was held in the Lane family plot on June 26 at Evergreen (Masonic) Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the American Stroke Association (any local chapter).
Billy Ray Steckler
Billy Ray Steckler, 71, of Henderson, Nev., and Leadville, died June 26, 2004, in Dublin, Ireland, while on a cruise with his wife of 50 years, Della Marge Steckler. Steckler was born on March 30, 1933, in Durango, Colo. He grew up in Leadville, attending both elementary and high school.In 1953, Steckler moved to Grand Junction to train as a machinist and met his wife Della while working for Bolen Machine Works. They were married on Nov. 13, 1954. In 1955, they moved to Los Angeles, Calif., and in 1960 they moved to Garden Grove, Calif. Steckler started his career as a machinist in the California aerospace industry. For the last 22 years, he ran the machine shop for the School of Engineering at California State University, Fullerton, from which he retired from in
1993. In 1997, they moved to Henderson, Nev. In his retirement, Steckler enjoyed international travel, spending time in his home town of Leadville and visiting with his children and grandchildren.Steckler is survived by his children Lavonne Kramer, Cary, N.C.; Vincent Steckler, Great Falls, Va.; Rozeanne Steckler, Encinitas, Calif.; Janis Rogers, Arvada, Colo.; and Brian Steckler, Cottage Grove, Ore.; and 13 grandchildren: Allison, Melissa, Jasmine, Alex, Andrew, Amanda, Lauren, Krystalynn, Ryan, Catrina, Max, Jullie and Sarah.The family requests donations to the Make a Wish Foundation in lieu of flowers.
