Roger Whitman
Dec. 6, 1939-Nov. 28, 2007
Age: 67
Residence: Keenesburg
Roger W. Whitman was born in Peoria, Ill., to George and Mabel (Elmore) Whitman. He graduated from East Peoria High School in 1957 and was married to Cheryl Groom on Sept. 2, 1978, in Peoria.
Mr. Whitman worked for U.S. Security Associates for the last year and had retired as an auto body painter which he had done his entire life.
He loved the mountains and enjoyed working in his garage. His love for the mountains is what made him the happiest. He also loved to collect penguins.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, Mr. Whitman was thoughtful, caring, kind, helpful to others and loved God and had faith in Christ.
Mr. Whitman died Wednesday in Brighton.
Survivors: His wife Cheryl Whitman of Keenesburg; two sons, Roger Whitman II of Chillicothe, Ill., and Brad Whitman of Mesa, Ariz.; a daughter, Laura Whitman of Phoenix; a stepson, Daniel Hieronymus of Westminster; a stepdaughter, Tina McCool of Evans; a half brother, Bob Root of Peoria; and seven grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: His father, George Whitman; his mother, Mabel Elmore, in 1999; a daughter, Debbie Dixon, in 2003; brother, George Whitman, in 2003; a half sister, Betty Whitman; and a half brother, Jess Whitman.
Services: 11 a.m. Monday at the Tabor-Rice Funeral Home in Brighton.
Notes: Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6857 Paiute Ave., Niwot, CO 80503.
Cora Davenport
Nov. 23, 1919-Nov. 28, 2007
Age: 88
Residence: Greeley
Tribute: Cora Olive "Toby" Davenport was born in Sapulpa, Okla., to Fredrick and Maude (Moore) Hardgrove.
On March 13, 1945, she married James F. Davenport in Oklahoma City. They moved from Shawnee, Okla., to Greeley in June 1952.
Mrs. Davenport loved to read, play the piano and go camping in the Poudre Canyon. She enjoyed rock collecting, photography and especially nature.
Mrs. Davenport died Wednesday at Centennial Health Care Center in Greeley.
Survivors: Close personal friends, Robert L. and Diane Duvall.
Preceded in death by: Her husband; a son, Monte Davenport; a daughter-in-law Sandra Diane Davenport; and her parents.
Notes: Cremation. Adamson Funeral and Cremation Services was in charge.
Bertha Flessner
March 14, 1918-Nov. 28, 2007
Age: 89
Residence: Greeley, formerly of Cheyenne County, Neb., and longtime resident of Pine Bluffs, Wyo.,
Tribute: Born Bertha Emma Borgmann on the Borgmann family farm near Emerald, Neb., to Henry and Matilda (Mumme) Borgmann. She attended the nearby school and graduated from the eighth grade. In 1934, the family moved to a farm near Lodgepole, Neb. While living there, she met John J. Schneider, and they were married in 1936. Two children, Larry and Barbara, were born to the couple. They divorced in 1946.
In 1947, she married Martin L. Flessner in Greeley, and they later moved to a farm north of Pine Bluffs. Two children, Karen and Marcie, were born to the couple. They moved into the town of Pine Bluffs in 1953, and continued to farm. Mr. Flessner died in 1955, and Mrs. Flessner continued to live in their Pine Bluffs home until the final years of her life.
Mrs. Flessner was a founding and active member of Grace Lutheran Church at Pine Bluffs, especially of the Ladies Aid Society and the choir. While raising her family, she also acquired her high school equivalency diploma. She worked as a librarian in the city library and in Pine Bluffs High School.
After her children were grown, Mrs. Flessner attended the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and graduated in May 1974 with a degree in library science. She returned to Pine Bluffs and worked in the elementary school as a media specialist. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, reading and taking art classes.
Mrs. Flessner died Wednesday at Fairacres Manor in Greeley where she was a resident at the time.
Survivors: Her children, Larry Schneider of Apache Junction, Ariz., Barbara Patterson of Cheyenne, Karen Dahlgren and husband Rob of Bartlesville, Okla., and Marcie Tanner and husband Allen of Laramie, Wyo.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by a sister, Nelda Schneider, and a brother, Roland Borgmann and wife Pat, all of Longmont and Greeley.
Preceded in death by: Her husband, Martin; her parents; her brother Harvey Borgmann; her sister Rosalyn Hergenreder; and her granddaughter, Rebecca Harned.
Services: 10 a.m. Monday at the Allnutt Funeral Service Macy Chapel, 702 13th St., Greeley, followed by a luncheon.
Visitation: One hour before the service.
Memorial services: 2 p.m. Thursday at the Holechek Funeral Home, 1212 10th Ave., Sidney, Neb., followed by a reception.
Notes: Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.
Robert Montgomery
Sept. 21, 1926-Nov. 27, 2007
Age: 81
Residence: Greeley
Tribute: Dr. Robert A. "Bob" Montgomery was born to Robert E. and Annabelle Montgomery in Steubenville, Ohio, where after a specially arranged early high school graduation, he enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served in the Pacific Fleet aboard the USS President Jackson. After his military service, he earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Pepperdine College.
On June 18, 1948, he married Donna Nelson, originally of Nelson, Neb.
In 1957, Dr. Montgomery was awarded his master's degree from the University of Southern California, while coaching basketball at Pepperdine.
In 1959, Dr. Montgomery moved his family to Greeley, where in 1961 he earned his doctorate in health, physical education and recreation from Colorado State College, now the University of Northern Colorado. The same year, he accepted a position at CSC in the HPER department. In 1969 he was named assistant dean and in 1974 was named dean of the School of HPER, where he served until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure, he served as head golf coach at UNC and was instrumental in negotiating the deal to bring the Denver Broncos to Greeley for their annual summer training camp.
Dr. Montgomery was a life member of Greeley Elks Lodge No. 809. During his retirement, he also managed the Elks Golf Course. In recent years, he and his wife, Donna, split their time between Greeley in the summer and Lake Havasu City in the winter, where they made many new friends at the Lake Shore Condos.
In particular, the family would like to acknowledge "the extraordinary efforts of Jill Montgomery during Bob's difficult final days. Her selfless attention to his every need and round the clock diligence ensured he was never left alone and made as comfortable as possible to the very end. For her love and compassion, his family will be forever grateful. They also wish to send a special thanks to the wonderful staff of Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado. These dedicated and compassionate caregivers worked tirelessly over the past five months to help Bob navigate a difficult period of declining health."
Survivors: His wife of 59 years, Donna Nelson Montgomery; his four children, Craig Montgomery of Los Angeles, Kirk Montgomery of Alpine, Calif., Kim Montgomery of Greeley and Christi Donaldson of Lake Havasu City; two brothers, Donald "Barry" Montgomery of Greeley and Dick Montgomery of Uniontown, Ohio.
Also surviving are two daughters-in-law, Andy Smith of Alpine and Jill Montgomery of Greeley; a son-in-law, Dan Donaldson of Lake Havasu; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, nine nieces and nephews and five cousins.
Preceded in death by: His parents, his brother Floyd and his sister Judy.
Services: Private
Interment: Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Neb.
Notes: Donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado.
Betty Jo Barney
July 6, 1920-Nov. 27, 2007
Age: 87
Residence: Greeley
Tribute: Betty Jo Barney was born in Jackson, Mo., to Henry Albert and Zaida (Gladish) Behrens. She lived in Osceola, Ark., where she attended grade school. She moved with her family to Jackson, where she graduated from high school. She attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College in Cape Girardeau, Mo., where she met her future husband, Jim.
Mrs. Barney and her family were living in St. Louis, Mo., when she and Jim were married on June 30, 1945. Before moving to Greeley in the 1960s, they lived in Ames, Iowa, Alton, Ill., Oklahoma City and Denver.
A homemaker and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Mrs. Barney was a member the church Altar Guild, was a Choir Mother, and was a member of the Women's Guild. She was a volunteer with the American Red Cross at North Colorado Medical Center, Greeley, for 23 years. She also was a member of the Assistance League of Greeley and the Excelsis Club.
Mrs. Barney died Tuesday at the Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado inpatient unit, Greeley
Survivors: Her husband, James "Jim" Barney of Greeley; three daughters, Susan J. Anderson of Boulder, Rebecca A. Trupp and husband Harlin of Berthoud and Nancy J. Carlson and husband Jeff of Glenwood Springs; seven grandchildren; a grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: Her parents and a brother, Henry Albert Behrens Jr.
Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church, Greeley. Cremation.
Inurnment: Trinity Episcopal Columbarium, Greeley.
Notes: Instead of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Alzheimer's Association or Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado in care of Allnutt, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631.
Michael Ravithis
June 6, 1960-Oct. 27, 2007
Age: 47
Residence: Palmer, Alaska, formerly of Greeley
Tribute: Michael Thomas Ravithis was born in Greeley. He moved to Alaska in 1963 and fell in love with the outdoor experience offered by the state. He loved to fish and hike with his beloved dogs, Ryker and Diamond.
In 1978, Mr. Ravithis graduated from East High School, where he lettered in football and hockey. In 1979, he joined the Navy and experienced the world on the USS Coral Sea. He loved the Navy and proudly served his country until 1984.
In November 1998, he married Annette Potter. They started their life together in Anchorage, Alaska, and realized their dream of owning a house when they moved to Palmer two years ago.
"Mike was never happier," his family wrote.
Mr. Ravithis owned and operated River Dogs, a hot-dog cart at Wasilla Lake. He made many friends with his natural "gift of gab."
His family also wrote: "Mike loved all sports, but his heart was playing hockey and the Denver Broncos. He started one of the first fantasy football leagues in Anchorage, where he gained many friends all over the country, most of whom he never met. He loved to go four-wheeling with his family; he was our 'fearless leader,' breaking trail everywhere we went.
"Mike loved the Lord and is at rest with his savior, Jesus Christ. He was a member of the Pioneer Peak Baptist Church in Palmer and felt he had finally found the church God led him to."
Mr. Ravithis died Oct. 27 of a sudden heart attack in Wasilla, Alaska.
Survivors: His wife, Annette; a son, Jaramiah Hundley; a sister, Jolene Ravithis and husband Bryon Brown; his father, Thomas Ravithis of Washington; two sisters, Lisa Heath of Virginia and Crystal Crowther and family of Nevada; his mother-in-law, Judy Hannaman; his aunt, Katherine Ravithis of Greeley; a niece, Alisha Felder; three nephews, Isaac Felder and Bryron and Bryson Brown; and two great-nieces, Alicia Smith and Natila Kile, all of Anchorage.
Preceded in death by: His mother, JoAnn Sawyer, and his grandparents, John and Clara Ravithis and Duane and Pauline Siglinger.
Services: Services were Oct. 31 at Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary in Anchorage.
Interment: Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.
Notes: Donations for funeral expenses may be sent to Annette at 1005 N. Old Glenn Highway, Palmer, AK 99645.
Auriel Sandstead
June 6, 1923-Nov. 25, 2007
Age: 84
Residence: Sterling
Tribute: Auriel Josephine Sandstead, a wife, mother, friend, activist and quiltmaker is gone. She was the daughter of E. Fae Stanley and Charles Ford Oram. Self described as a fourth-generation scrapbag quilter, she originated the Mary Stanley Quilt exhibits first shown in 1977 in Fort Collins to benefit battered women's shelters. A founding member of the Colorado Quilting Council, she served as its first president and in 1988 was inducted into the Colorado Quilting Council Hall of Fame. She was a founding member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.
Mrs. Sandstead was published in "Leaning into the Wind" and "Outstanding Poets of 1988." She published six volumes of "A Cartouche Collection," "Prairie Patched Medallions" and "20th Century Pictographs from the Short Grass Prairies of Northeast Colorado."
Mrs. Sandstead attended the University of Denver on a full scholarship. She graduated with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, for a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She was a lifetime teacher in the classroom and in life.
On March 16, 1946, she married Willard Woodrow Sandstead, a farmer and rancher, in Greeley. They had three daughters.
Mrs. Sandstead and her husband were active in the Willard and Sterling communities. They were members of the Willard Methodist Church. Each had an antique car as members of The Flatlanders Antique Car Club.
Mrs. Sandstead died Sunday at Bonell Good Samaritan Community, Greeley.
Survivors: Her daughters, Vicki Jo Sandstead of Boston; Margo Dale Mesch, husband Larry and their sons, Robert and Kerry, of unknown location; and Shauna Gae Sandstead Corona, husband Gustavo and their children, Cristobal Clyde and Emily Jo, all of Mexico City; and a grandson, Erick Gustavo Corona and wife Liseth of Seattle.
Preceded in death by: Her husband, Willard, on March 14, 2007.
Services: Celebration of Life, 11 a.m. Saturday in the Borgman Chapel at Bonell, 708 22nd St., Greeley, with a reception afterward in the Walz Community Hall at Bonell.
Note: Memorial contributions may be made to the National Museum of Women in the Arts and/or A Woman's Place shelter in care of Adamson Funeral and Cremation Services, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.
Mary Scholl
Jan. 4, 1913-Nov. 23, 2007
Age: 94
Residence: Greeley
Tribute: Mary Elizabeth Scholl was born in St. Edwards, Neb., to John and Maglene (Kelen) Scholl.
Miss Scholl lived in St. Edwards and moved with her family to Sheldon, Kan., when she was 9 years old. She attended schools in Nebraska and Kansas through the 11th grade. Her parents, brothers and sister moved to Colorado in 1934.
Until she was 20 years old, Miss Scholl took care of her Uncle Frank and her grandmother. She worked in the beet and cucumber fields and did other farm jobs for many years. She often drove trucks at harvest.
Miss Scholl lived on the farm for several years after the deaths of her uncle and grandmother. She moved to Bonell Good Samaritan Community in Greeley about 2001 and lived there until her death.
Miss Scholl liked living on the farm. Her hobbies were cooking, sewing, crocheting, reading and word search puzzles. She died Nov. 23 at Bonell.
Survivors: Her sisters, Marcella Polo of Douglas, Wyo., and Magelena Matthews of Albuquerque; a sister-in-law, May Scholl of Greeley; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Preceded in death by: Her parents; two sisters, Margaret Ritter and Cecilia Scholl; and four brothers, John Jr., Leonard, Mick and Pete.
Services: Recitation of the rosary, 9:30 a.m. today, and Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. today, both at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 915 12th St., Greeley.
Interment: Linn Grove Cemetery, Greeley
Notes: Stoddard Funeral Home, Greeley, is in charge of arrangements.
