United States High School Yearbooks by County
Anna Marie Koucherik
Anna Marie Koucherik passed away Friday, Feb. 10. She was born in Leadville on April 8, 1937, the oldest child of Ernest and Anna (Pezdirc) Cerise. She graduated from Leadville High School with the class of 1955 and worked at the Lake County Courthouse prior to her marriage to Andrew Koucherik on Feb. 1, 1959. Koucherik was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. She enjoyed crocheting and embroidery, and she shared her work with many friends and family members. Her favorite summer activity was watching her sons and grandchildren playing baseball. She was also an avid Broncos and Avalanche fan. Her happiest moments were spent with her children and grandchildren.She is survived by her sons Andy, Donnie (Cindy) and Mickey Koucherik, all of Leadville, and her grandchildren, Kayla, Stephanie, Christopher, Trevor and Tyler Koucherik. She is also survived by her brother Jerry (Cathy) Cerise of Leadville and Bob (Darlene) Cerise of Albuquerque, N.M., as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also close to her sisters-in-law Mary Koucherik, Leadville; Anna Blamey, Canon City; Mary Dawson, San Manuel, Ariz.; Margie Taylor, Rifle; and Rose Videtich, Denver. She was preceded in death by her husband Andy in 1996, and her parents.The Rosary was recited by Lilly Vigil on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m., also at St. Joseph Church. Father Jay Jung, C.M., officiated. Joan Dawson sang, accompanied by Jean Elliott. Honorary pallbearers were Rupert Casias, Jim Andrews, Ron Young, Bill Scherer, Brian Cerise and Christopher Koucherik. A reception followed at the Elks Lodge. According to her wishes, Koucherik was cremated, and her ashes will be buried later in the spring next to her husband in St. Joseph Cemetery.Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Roger Velasquez
Roger Velasquez died Sunday, Feb. 19, at his home in Leadville. He was 55 years old. Velasquez was born in Embudo, N.M., on Nov. 29, 1950. His parents are Androlica (Montoya) Velasquez and the late Jose S. Velasquez. Velasquez went to grade school in New Mexico before moving to Colorado with his family. He graduated from Battle Mountain High School and went on to become a machinist for the Coors Brewing Co. in Golden. Velasquez was proud of his 36 years with Coors and just retired recently, moving back to his beloved mountains near Leadville.He enjoyed fishing, hunting and hiking and any activity that allowed him to be outdoors.Velasquez was preceded in death by his father Jose S. Velasquez and a sister Diane Velasquez. He is survived by his mother in Leadville; his son Carlos (Jennifer) Velasquez, in Parker; his daughter Lisa (Bryan) Yalowitz in Elizabeth; sisters Joan (Mike) Lovato in Longmont and Cathy (Scott) Griego in Leadville; two brothers, Gilbert (Joann) Velasquez in Leadville and Charlie (Becky) Velasquez in New Mexico. Velasquez is also survived by his grandchildren, Madelynn Yalowitz and Maseo Velasquez, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.Services were Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the First United Presbyterian Church in Leadville. The Reverend Allison Bucklin officiated, and Joan Dawson sang accompanied by Lynette Booth.Velasquez was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery in Leadville with a reception following at the Eagles Lodge. Pallbearers were Daniel Gonzales, Manuel Velasquez, Joseph, David and Scott Griego, and Fabian and Mike Lovato.Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.The family suggests those wishing may make memorial contributions to the Vail Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 40000, Vail, CO 81658.
Bernice Ann Oubre
Bernice Ann Oubre, 78, died peacefully in her sleep Saturday, March 4, in the home that she and her husband built.She was a faithful, loving wife of 58 years and a mother of six who enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved her summer home in Leadville.She is survived by husband John of Sulphur, La.; her sons Mike (Jody) of Carlyss, La., John Jr. and Chuck (Kathy) both of Sulphur, La.; her daughters Susan (Dwight) Areno of Anacoco, La., Donna (Bill) Baily of Moss Bluff, La., and Lisa (Randy) Dean of Sulphur, La.; her brothers Henry (Barbara) Navarre of Ventress, La. and Harry Navarre of Denham Springs, La.; her sister Alice (James) Swearingen of Conroe, Texas. 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive. Pallbearers were Daniel Bailey, Caleb Areno, Isaac Dean, Jason Green, Scott Richards and Ernest Langley.Her funeral was Tuesday, March 7 at Hixon-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Stark officiating, guest ministers Brother Jared Areno, the Revs. Sidney Fontenot, Larry Lafleur and Joel Peavy. Visitation was held at the funeral home. Burial was at Roselawn Cemetery.
Melvin Ray Benham
Melvin Ray Benham, 46, of Perry, Okla., was the son of Raymond Donald and Pauline Faye (McCance) Benham. He was born on January 14, 1960, in Greensburg, Ind., and died Thursday, Feb. 16, at Perry Memorial Hospital. Benham married Connie Wilson on Feb. 24, 1979, in Leadville, Colo. Benham is survived by his wife; two daughters Tami Lea and Becky Benham, both of Perry, Okla.; his father of Perry, Okla.; his mother and step-father, Pauline and Jim Knutson of Fairfield, Neb.; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lucien and Mary Wilson of Perry, Okla.; one brother Donald Benham of Lexington, Neb.; one sister Cindy Lopez of Lincoln, Neb.; one brother-in-law Ron Wilson of Perry, Okla.; one sister-in-law Lue Ellen Brownlee of Leadville; maternal grandmother Mabel McCance of Hastings, Neb.; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Lawerence McCance and paternal grandparents, Bud and Ruth Benham.
Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital or American Cancer Society in care of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home, 1010 N. 7th St., Perry, Okla, 73077.Funeral services were Monday, Feb. 20, at the First United Methodist Church. Rev. Ed Cook officiated. Interment was in Grace Hill Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home.
Joseph A. Bost
Joseph A. Bost, 67, of Bloomfield, Conn., passed away suddenly on Monday, Feb. 27. Bost was born March 9, 1938 to Mary (Frankovich) Bost Cassidy and Joseph Bost in Leadville.
After graduating from Leadville High School in 1956 as class president, Bost graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with degrees in business administration and chemical engineering.Prior to his retirement in March of 2001, Bost spent 39 years with United Technology Corporation Fuel Cells in South Windsor, Conn., the last 26 years as program manager of the Orbiter Space Shuttle program. Bost received many awards from NASA and Rockwell International for his outstanding leadership. Bost’s infectious smile, kindness and generosity touched all who knew him.Bost leaves two sons, Matthew and Christopher, both of New York City. His wife, the former Jeanne Takiden of Long Island, N.Y., and his son, Joseph, predeceased him.Bost was the loving companion, friend, kindred spirit and soul mate of Judith A. Galaise of Bloomfield and had close ties with Galaise’s family. He is survived by a sister, Barbara Bost, and an aunt, Albina Weaver, both of Leadville. Several cousins also still reside in Leadville. Other relatives reside in Denver, Grand Junction and California.Private services were held for family and close friends at the couple’s home in Bloomfield. Arrangements were handled by Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, South Windsor, Conn.Emma F. JenkinMemorial services for Emma F. Jenkin will be Friday, March 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Leadville. Services conclude at church and a reception will follow at the parish hall. Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Community of Leadville, 609 Poplar St., Leadville, CO 80461.
Mary Ann LeMoine
Mary Ann (Lake) LeMoine of Kent, Wash., died Feb. 25, at home. She was 67.She was born May 9, 1938, in Leadville to Norman and Mary (Smalich) Lake. She graduated from Leadville High School in 1956 and married Edward LeMoine in Denver in 1964. They resided in Denver until 1974, when they moved to Kent.LeMoine graduated with a degree in nursing from Loretta Heights College in 1960. She retired in 1965 after four years as a registered nurse. She was a member of Children’s Orthopedic Guild. She enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, traveling and time with her grandchildren.She is survived by her loving husband Ed; daughters, Karen (Bryan) Gormley of Black Diamond, Wash. and Sharon (Doug) Pirie of Lynnwood, Wash.; sister, June Hinzman of Bakersfield, Calif.; and four granddaughters. LeMoine was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Norman Lake Jr.
Rosary was recited on Thursday, March 2, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Covington, Wash. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, March 3, at the church. Burial was at Tahoma National Cemetery in Maple Valley.Arrangements were handled by Marlatt Funeral Home in Kent. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book at http://www.marlattfuneralhome.com. Lawrence (Larry) Scott Walker Lawrence (Larry) Scott Walker, 83, former resident of Aztec, N.M., passed away Feb. 27 at 8:10 p.m. in San Juan Regional Medical Center. He was born in Denver on April 28, 1922, to Thelma and Harley Walker, who both preceded him in death.Walker served in the 191th tank battalion during World War II. He was wounded in battle at the end of 1944 and was discharged from the Army in 1945. After he was discharged, he started high school as a freshman when he was 22 and graduated two years later.Walker worked as a mine electrician and inspector throughout much of his life. He was an avid skier for 55 years, served as an official in the Rocky Mountain Ski Association for 10 years and worked with youth throughout most of his married life. His children remember him as a wonderful father. He was an active member of the Aztec Presbyterian Church.Walker is survived by his wife of 55 years, Hazel; his sons, Walt and Scott; four grandchildren, Nathaniel, Bonnie, Peter and Annette; and one great-grandchild, Elijah; a brother, Lee Walker; and three sisters, Louella, Marie and Edna May. He was preceded in death by his brothers Bill and Roy.Services were held Saturday, March 4, at the Aztec Presbyterian Church.Arrangements were handled by Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home and Crematory, 103 E. Ute St., Farmington, N.M., (505) 325-8688.
