United States High School Yearbooks by County
Robert Joseph "Bob" Walker
Robert Joseph "Bob" Walker, 75, died Sept. 2 at his home in Buena Vista
He was born in Texhoma, Oklahoma on July 2, 1925 to Joe and Lois Walker.
He had lived in the San Luis Valley, Leadville and Buena Vista. He worked at Climax Molybdenum Mine and operated Walker's Auto Service in Leadville for several years.
He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, fisherman, 4-wheeler, camper, motorcyclist, skier and snowmobiler.
He was an Odd Fellow, a Mason, was active in the First Baptist Church of Leadville, the Leadville Sheriff's Posse and the Sanitation Board in Buena Vista.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene Walker, his father Joe Walker and his granddaughter Heather Porter.
He is survived by his wife Ruth of Buena Vista, mother, Lois of Hooper, sister Jane (Dale) Percival of Salida, son John (Virginia) Walker of Pueblo, daughters: Laura (Dick) Briesmeister of Los Alamos, New Mexico and Annie (Del) Davis of Leadville; step-sons Jim (Carol) DePriest of Longmont and Mike (Kathy) DePriest of Broomfield; grandchildren Renee Davis of Lakewood, Aaron Porter, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Russell Walker and Rosann Holmes, both of Pueblo, Ashley Briesmeister, Los Alamos, New Mexico; Michael, Jacey and Patrick DePriest of Longmont, Heather, Kelli and Tyler DePriest of Broomfield.
Private memorial services to be held at a later date. Donations should be directed to Angel of Shavano Hospice Program in Salida.
Jack Gray Denney, Sr.
Jack Gray Denney, Sr., 58, died Sept. 7 at St. Vincent General Hospital after a lengthy illness of lymphoma.
He was born in Fowler, Colo., April 19, 1942, to Frank and Gladys (Gray) Denney. He attended Fowler schools.
After high school, he worked on oil rigs, at Rocky Ford Sugar Factory, Climax Mine, and eventually went back to Fowler to work as a mechanic with his father.
That experience led him to Fowler Schools, where he became transportation director. He and his family moved to Rangely, Colo., where he also was employed by Rangely Public schools, retiring in 1998 after 23 years of service. He was very proud of the fact that he had the opportunity to design and build his 'dream' bus garage in Rangely.
He married Elizabeth 'Betsy' Young on Nov. 21, 1981, in Fowler.
His greatest joy was watching his children participate in sports and participating in hunting and fishing with them. He also enjoyed collecting guns and re-loading shells.
He was preceded in death by his parents; half-brother Bill Goodale; half-sister Marie Pearce; and brother-in-law Barry Young.
He is survived by his wife, Betsy Denney, Leadville; sons Thomas and Deric of the family home; and Jack, Jr. (Barbara), Pelion, S.C.; daughters Annette (Dave) Whittaker, Carbondale; and Connie Stockton, Texas; grandchildren Shane and Nicole Denney, Carbondale; half sisters Jane Howell, Hemphill, Texas; Joan (Van) Williams, Pueblo West, Colo.; Shirley (Marlin) Turner, Manzanola, Colo.; father and mother-in-law Thomas and Bernadine Young and sister-in-law, Tomalee Young, all of Cotopaxi. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
There will be no services at this time. Cremation took place.
Those wishing may make memorial contributions in care of Thomas and Deric Denney at Commercial Bank of Leadville, 400 Harrison Ave., Leadville, CO 80461.
The Griffy Family Funeral Home of Fowler, Colo., is in charge of services and arrangements.
Charles Henry Schlaepfer
Grand Junction resident Charles Henry Schlaepfer, 83, died Sept. 8.
He was born March 18, 1917, in Leadville to Edward and Emma Louise (Koch) Schlaepfer, the youngest of five children. He graduated from Leadville High School in 1932 and was Valedictorian of his class. In 1936 he graduated from the University of Colorado.
He helped his family with the Jersey Dairy, milking cows and delivering milk and did some mining while he was growing up. He spent his summers on the ranch north of Leadville and the winters in town at the 12th Street Dairy.
On March 23, 1939, he married Marjorie Fudie in Glenwood Springs, and they made their home in Leadville.
In October 1939 he came down with polio and was bedridden for almost a year. Only through sheer determination did he walk again.
He served as County Judge in Leadville from 1940 to 1948 and then became a public accountant until his retirement in 1982.
He was a life member of Leadville Elks Lodge #236 and participated in the plays and minstrel shows put on by the Lodge at the historic Tabor Opera House in Leadville.
He enjoyed golf, fishing, jeeping, duplicate bridge and dancing in his younger days. In later years, he spent his time reading, watching soap operas and with his family.
He moved to Grand Junction in December of 1994 to be close to his daughter. His wish of living in part of two centuries came true this year.
He is survived by his daughter, Janis (Benny) Fairchild, Grand Junction; granddaughters and families, Pamela and Randy Nygren; Timmy, Devon and Alysa; Susan and Jerry Kissell; Chelsea and Jesse; Shontay and Wes Thomas; Dylan; one sister, Adeline Neff; and several nieces and nephews.
At his request, no service was held and cremation has taken place.
Emma A. Lusin
Former Leadville resident Emma A. Lusin, 81, of Salida, died Sept. 6 at Columbine Manor Nursing Home.
She was born Nov. 29, 1918, in Leadville to Louis and Frances (Henigman) Pahule. She was a resident of Leadville for most of her life.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, American Slovenian Catholic Union (K.S.K.J.) #56 and the Eagles Auxiliary in Leadville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Lusin, brothers Louis and John Pahule, sister Hedvika Pahule, grandchildren Jeffry Lusin and Karen Parkin.
She is survived by her son, John (Sharon) Lusin, Leadville; daughter Rosalyn (Don) Parkin, Minneapolis, Minn.; brother Rudy (Vera) Pahule, Colorado Springs; sister Frances (Bob) Henderson, Colorado Springs; grandchildren Chris (Erin) Lusin, Heather Lusin, Don (Mary) Parkin and Dan Parkin; great grandchildren Dylon Lusin, Michelle Parkin and Sara Parkin. She is also survived by several nieces.
Graveside services were held Sept. 11 at Fairview Cemetery. There was no visitation.
Memorial contributions in her memory can be made to Columbine Manor Nursing Home through Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.
Daniela Rosalie Kostelic
Daniela 'Nellie' Rosalie Kostelic, 85, died Sept. 12 at St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver.
She was born in Leadville on Nov. 25, 1914 to Anton and Mary (Zeleznikar) Tekansik and went to school in Leadville, graduating from Leadville High School.
On Nov. 24, 1935, she married Louis Kostelic at St. Joseph Church in Leadville.
She was a life-long member of St. Joseph Church and was a past member K.S.K.J.
She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, reading and keeping house but especially loved spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and an infant son, Louis.
She is survived by her husband Louis, Leadville; daughter Lillie (Fred) Avi, Leadville; sister Lillie Ponikvar, El Paso, Texas; three grandchildren, Sally (Larry) Zadra Gilmore, Atlanta, Ga.; Daniel Mark (Michelle) Zadra, Gunnison; and Dennis Michael (Alicia) Zadra, Alaska; one great granddaughter, Meghan Denise Zadra; and two step great grandsons, Davis and Jacob.
She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
The Rosary was recited Sept. 15 and Mass of Christian Burial Sept. 16, both at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Father Tom Killeen officiated, and Patti Smith sang accompanied by Cindy Marshall and Beverly Pologar.
Pallbearers were Daniel M. Zadra, Dennis M. Zadra, Larry Gilmore, George Hawley, Joe Jakopic and Rudy Malesich, Sr. Honorary pallbearers were Mike Nance and Anton Ponikvar.
Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery and a reception followed at the Parish Hall.
Those wishing may make memorial contributions to either St. Vincent General Hospital, 822 W. 4th St., or St. Joseph Church, 809 Poplar St., Leadville, CO 80461
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
