United States High School Yearbooks by County
Leo Joseph Rothermel
Leo Joseph Rothermel, 80, died Aug. 12 at Porter Hospice in
Littleton.
Rothermel was born on July 19, 1923, in Detroit, Mich., to Leo
Anthony and Helen J. (Gull) Rothermel.
After graduating from St. Alphonsus High School in Dearborn,
he began his studies at the University of Detroit. During this
time he worked as an elevator operator, where he met his future
wife Marcy Whyte.
Rothermel enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the
European and Pacific theaters. After an honorable discharge, he
returned to Detroit where he married Marcy on June 21, 1947, in
Grosse Pointe, Mich.
After their marriage, he continued his studies, eventually
receiving his MBA. They moved to Atlanta and then to Colorado
in 1963 where he worked for Martin-Marietta as an aerospace
engineer until retiring in 1989.
In 1976, the Rothermels moved to Leadville and made the
mountains their home. He enjoyed playing bridge, skiing and
hiking, and his family will always remember how he loved to
share a good joke.
Rothermel was a devoted member of the Catholic Community of
Leadville and more recently St. Mary's Catholic Church in
Littleton. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus
and the Leadville Elks Lodge #236.
Rothermel is survived by his wife Marcy; daughters Kathleen
Mary (Robert) Pike, Grand Junction; Mary Patricia (Herbert)
Davis, Dove Creek; Peggy Ann (David) Ertmer, Lafayette, Ind.;
Maureen Helen (Larry) Farmer, Littleton; Sharon Rose (Jerome)
Ducombs, Englewood; Sheila Marie (Joseph) Monzon, Littleton;
Elizabeth Grace (Walter) Seabert, Steamboat Springs; and Eileen
Brigid (Andrew) Morrison, Leadville; sister Marlene (Doyle)
Walker; 29 grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
The Rosary and Vigil service was held Aug. 13, and Mass of
Christian Burial was Aug. 14, both at St. Joseph's Catholic
Church in Leadville. Father Jay Jung officiated, and Joan Dawson
sang, accompanied by Jean Elliott.
Pallbearers were Tom Cherrier, Jack Saunders, Jim Martin, Eddie
Kerrigan, Walter Mosgovoy, and John Clapper.
Following the Mass, Rothermel’s family received friends at a
reception hosted by the Leadville Elks Lodge.
On Aug. 15, Rothermel was laid to rest in Fort Logan National
Cemetery in Denver. Father Frank Lomica gave the committal
and the family gathered at St. Mary's Marian Hall afterward.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home in
Leadville. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to
the Catholic Community of Leadville, 609 Poplar Street,
Leadville, CO 80461.
William Dale Amsberry
William Dale Amsberry, 78, died Aug. 26 at Presbyterian/St.
Luke’s Hospital in Denver.
Amsberry was born on Aug. 15, l925, in Benkelman, Neb., to
William B. and Opal Gerdis Amsberry.
“Dale,” as he was known, went to school in Benkelman and then
enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the Pacific Theater
in the Philippines. He was proud of his service to his country. He
was awarded numerous medals and commendations, including the
Purple Heart, Good Conduct Ribbon, three Bronze Campaign
Stars, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon and the Philippine Liberation
Ribbon with one Bronze Star.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to
Benkelman and the sweetheart he left there, the former Jane
Reiman. They were married on March 31, 1948, at St. Joseph
Catholic Church in Benkelman. Together they had four sons.
Amsberry worked in construction with his father and then moved
to the State Dept., Port of Entry, where he worked for the next 11
years.
In 1968, the family moved to Leadville where Jane’s sister was
already living. Amsberry became the produce manager at Super
Foods where he worked for 16 years until his retirement.
He was a member of the American Legion in Benkelman and also
the Disabled American Veterans.
He loved 4-wheeling and collecting coins and stamps and was an
accomplished harmonica player. His family will always
remember listening to his wonderful music.
Amsberry was preceded in death by his parents; and son Thomas
Dale Amsberry, who died in 2001.
He is survived by his wife Jane of 55 years, Leadville; sons
Michael (Annie) Amsberry, Eagle; Terry (Sandy) Amsberry,
Grand Junction; and Steve (Lara) Amsberry, Guffey, Colo.;
brother Merril (Marge) Amsberry; sisters Betty Ann and Maxine;
grandchildren Shanon, Shena, Shandra, Troy, Brandon, Taren,
Jessie, Ashley, Chris, Marissa and William; and seven great
grandchildren.
According to his wishes, Amsberry was cremated.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Sept. 8 at the St
Joseph Catholic Church in Benkelman, Neb. Father Bernard
Lorenz will officiate and Sue Ladenbuger will sing accompanied
by Margie Redfield.
Interment will be in the family plot in the Benkelman, Neb.,
cemetery.
Local arrangements are being handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Wallace M. McCall
Wallace M. McCall, 80, died Aug. 24 in Denver.
He was born Nov. 6, 1922, in Norwood, Colo. He was a high
school graduate and went to St. Mary’s College.
McCall was married on Dec. 16, 1944,, to Shirley, who preceded
him in death.
He served in the United States Navy.
McCall worked at Mountain Bell and enjoyed his family, fishing,
hunting and golf.
He is survived by his sons Jack W. (Angel) McCall, Sedalia,
Colo.; and Jim (Debbie) McCall, Leadville; grandchildren Todd,
Debbie, Kelli, Gary, Billy and Katelyn; and six great
grandchildren.
Services were held Aug. 28 at Horan and McConaty Family
Chapel in Lakewood. Interment was Aug. 30 at the Norwood
Cemetery.
Memorial remembrances may be made to Norwood Cemetery
Association, Inc., P.O. Box 434, Norwood, CO 81423.
Christine Louise “Tena” Popovich
Christine Louise “Tena” Popovich, 63, died Aug. 28 at the Heart
of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida.
She was born on Aug. 19, 1940, in Gordon, Colo. to Garfield and
Rose (Costello) Landis.
At the age of 13, Popovich moved to Leadville where she lived
with her aunt and uncle, Frances and Henry Novak. She went to
school in Leadville.
On June 6, 1956, at 15, Popovich married George Robert
“Corky’’ Popovich. They continued to make Leadville their home
where George worked for Climax.
Together they had two children, and being a wife and mother was
her full-time job. She loved to sew and took in sewing for much
of Leadville. But her true forte was making potica. Anyone who
ever tasted her potica proclaimed it the best in town.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and K.S.K.J.
Lodge.
Popovich was preceded in death by her parents; and husband
Corky, who died in 1982.
She is survived by her children Roderick (Sherrie) Popovich; and
Ann Marie (Frank) Seme, both in Leadville; granddaughter
Tatianna Popovich, Leadville; sisters Rose Marie Gochnour,
Leadville; Kay Potts, Ariz.; and Gladys (Alvin) Schroll, Neb.;
sisters-in-law Louise (George) Clune and Martha Hren, both in
Leadville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Rosary/Vigil service was held on Sept. 1 and Mass of
Christian Burial on Sept. 2, both at St. Joseph Church in
Leadville. Father Jay Jung and Deacon Chuck Moss officiated.
Joan Dawson sang accompanied by Neil V. Reynolds.
Interment was next to her husband at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Sean, Bart and Tanner Schroll, Fred Slifka,
Orlando Martinez and Frank Hren. Honorary pallbearers were
George Clune and Harry Schaefer.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the St.
Vincent Hospital Extended Care Unit or to the charity of your
choice.
Eileen C. Ray
Eileen C. Ray, 83, died Aug. 22 at the Northeastern Nevada
Regional Medical Center in Elko, Nev.
Ray was born Oct. 31, 1919, in New York City to Johanna and
Charles Maranta. Her father was employed as a chef at the
Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. As a child, she had
fond memories and enjoyed many fine meals prepared by him and
sent home for the family.
She graduated from Mount Sinai Nursing School in New York
City and entered the United States Army Nursing Corp. As a
lieutenant, she served in North Africa during World War II where
she married her husband, Garland (Jack) Ray.
After the war, she and her husband and their two children
homesteaded in Salcha, Alaska, near Fairbanks. While living
there, they had three more children.
Leaving Alaska in 1959, Ray became employed as a nurse at the
Climax Molybdenum Company hospital at Climax. She retired
from there in 1982, traveled extensively throughout the United
States and Canada, and revisited Alaska.
Ray was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, in 1975; and by
long-time companion, John C. Smith, of Leadville, who shared
many of her wonderful traveling experiences, in 2001.
She is survived by her children Jacque Newsom and Terri
Peterson, Spring Creek, Nev.; Jeffrey Ray, Gardnerville, Nev.;
Pattie Ray, Brookings, Ore.; and Michael Ray, Sagle, Idaho; 11
grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held in Elko, Nev., on Aug. 25 at St.
Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Ray will be laid to rest at a later date in the veterans section of
Greenwood Cemetery next to her husband Jack in Kellogg, Idaho.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Burns Funeral Home, Inc.,
in Elko, Nev. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to your
favorite charity.
Thomas Mark Faust
Thomas Mark Faust, 47, died Aug. 28, in Leadville.
Faust was born in Ruislip, England, and graduated from
Roosevelt High School in San Antonio.
His many talents included musical, mechanical and as a chef.
He served in the Navy for nine years.
Faust’s last years were lived and worked in Leadville, which
became the home he loved, and he considered his many friends as
Colorado family.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Steven, at age 13.
Faust is survived by his parents Col. Ret. E. F. “Sandy” and Betty
Faust; son Steven Faust; sister Candy Rattray, San Antonio; and
brother Jerry Faust, Austin.
Private services are pending.
