BOB KELLER
Nov. 20, 1931-Dec. 18, 2007
Age: 76
Residence: Mount Ayr, Iowa, formerly of Greeley
Tribute: Bob Curtis Keller was born in Eaton to George and Genevieve (Hockley) Keller.
On April 13, 1956, he married Marlene Murphy at Gilcrest Baptist Church.
Mr. Keller accepted the Lord and Savior at the age of 17. He was a member of the American Legion Post 172 and served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1950-54. He also was a member of the Borderline Motorcycle Club.
Mr. Keller lived in Greeley, where he worked for the telephone company and the Greeley Police Department. He also was employed by the State Highway Department. He moved to Arvada, where he lived for 20 years. After his retirement, he moved to Mount Ayr. He loved bowling, was on the American Legion team and won the state championship in Iowa. He and his wife spent winters in Mission, Texas, until his health failed. He loved to camp and fish and enjoyed life.
Mr. Keller died Tuesday in Mount Ayr.
Survivors: His wife, Marlene Keller of Mount Ayr; a sister, Beverly Ann Rossman and husband Bob of Las Vegas; two sisters-in-law, Helen Keller of Greeley and Dorothy Murphy-Barber of Redding, Iowa; three brothers-in-law, Doyle Murphy of Mount Ayr, Harold Murphy of Kellerton, Iowa, and Darrell Murphy of Des Moines, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: His parents, a brother Bill Keller and a sister, Betty Lou Sarchet.
Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Stoddard Funeral Home.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Greeley.
Visitation: Noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Note: Memorial gifts may be made to Gilcrest Baptist Church in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 28th St., Greeley, CO 80634.
RUTH ANN ROBINSON
April 15, 1943-Dec. 17, 2007
Age: 64
Residence: Ault
Tribute: Ruth Ann Robinson was born in Dover, Del., to Russell Frederick and Evearita (Hagan) Hobbs. She attended Dover High School in Delaware. She met Donald R. Black in 1962, and they married Dec. 26, 1962, in Denton, Md. They started their life together as farmers on a farm they owned west of Harrington, Del. They later moved to Denver, where her husband worked as an electrician. She didn't like the big city, so in 1969, they moved to Wellington and began farming again for Earl Kerbel. They dissolved their marriage in 1983.
Ms. Robinson had many occupations during her life. She graduated from Bernel's Beauty College in 1981 and became a licensed cosmetologist. The profession she was most proud of, however, was being an in-home day care provider. She provided day care services for many families and loved the children as if they were her own.
Ms. Robinson was the loving mother of six children. She had four children with her husband Donald and adopted two children while on her own. She was very active. She loved garage sales, thrift stores and talking to people in general. She loved the ocean, country music, country living and laughing, and she loved her kids.
Ms. Robinson was a Christian who accepted the Lord as her Savior.
She died Monday at the Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado inpatient unit, Greeley
Survivors: Three sons, D.A. Black and wife Joyce of Carr, Russell Black and wife Candice of Lusk, Wyo., and Michael Robinson of Pueblo; three daughters, Rhonda Jones and husband Brian of Windsor, Cindy Nichols and husband Lee of Craig, and Sylvia Robinson of Akron; and 13 grandchildren.
Also surviving are two brothers, Curtis Hobbs of Ellendale, Del., and David Hobbs and wife Yvonne of Dover; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: Her father, Russell Hobbs; her mother, Evearita (Hagan) Syrek; and her brother, Robert Hobbs.
Memorial services to celebrate her life: 2 p.m. Saturday at Northern Colorado Crematory, 700 8th St., Greeley.
JOSEPHINE STIPANOVICH
June 2, 1929-Dec. 16, 2007
Age: 78
Residence: Erie
Tribute: Josephine Stipanovich was born in Fort Lupton to Oscar and Erma (Stumpf) Magnuson and married John Stiponovich. She later changed the spelling of her name.
Mrs. Stipanovich worked for Parke-Davis in Denver for many years as a secretary. She helped operate the family business, Big John's, a house-moving company. She was a member of the Rose of Sharon Rebekah Lodge No. 29 and a former treasurer of the Rebekah Assembly of Colorado.
Mrs. Stipanovich also was active in the National Secretaries Association. She enjoyed her privacy and lived her life with her Schnauzer, Jack.
Mrs. Stipanovich died Sunday in Louisville.
Survivors: Her niece, Judy Stiponovich of Lakewood; and three nephews, Mike Stiponovich and wife Nyla of Arvada, Ed Magnuson of Northglenn and Randy Stiponovich of Lakewood.
Preceded in death by: Her parents and her husband.
Services: Noon Friday at the Tabor-Rice Funeral Home in Brighton. Graveside services: 2:30 p.m. at the Loveland Burial Park.
Note: Memorial gifts may be made to the MaxFund at 1025 Galapago St., Denver, CO 80204-3942.
JANICE WILSON
Jan. 10, 1943-Dec. 17, 2007
Age: 64
Residence: Fort Collins
Tribute: Janice Marie Wilson was born in Sterling to Orville and Phoebe (Phillips) Johnson. She graduated from high school in La Salle.
On June 2, 1961, she married Dean James Wilson in Eaton.
Mrs. Wilson was a caregiver and teacher for many years. She enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing, skiing, camping and hiking. She also liked to read, but she especially loved spending time with her family, grandkids and friends.
Mrs. Wilson died Monday in Fort Collins.
Survivors: Her husband, Dean Wilson; a son, Timothy Wilson and wife B.J.; three daughters, Tamara Thompson and husband Royce, Tina Leihsing and husband Tyler and Tonia Wilson and husband Greg; a brother and four sisters; seven grandchildren, D.J. and wife Kathy, Sarah, Brandi, Craig, Aubrey, Conner and Christian; and three great-grandchildren, Alex, Ashton and Anden.
Preceded in death by: Her parents.
Memorial services: 10 a.m. Saturday at the South Gate Church, Fort Collins.
Notes: Memorial gifts may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Fund in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526.
Elmer Albert Cook
Feb. 6, 1915-Dec. 18, 2007
Age: 92
Residence: Brighton
Tribute: Elmer A. Cook was born in Denver to Alexander and Anna Margaret (Rosenoff) Cook. He married Mollie Staley on Feb. 19, 1935, and Eva Jean Cook on April 9, 1977.
In the early 1930s, Mr. Cook and his brother Harry worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps building roads through the Colorado Mountains. Mr. Cook farmed in Weld County for more than 35 years in the Prospect Valley and Hudson areas.
He died in Denver.
Survivors: A daughter, Donna Van Velzer of Brighton; three grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; two step-daughters, Carol and husband Mike Forte of Brighton and Darla and husband Jack Cook-Horn of Thornton; two step-sons, Kenneth Cook of Aurora and Leslie Cook of Brighton; eight step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Amos Cook of Hudson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: His parents; two wives; three brothers, Alex, Harry and Sam; two sisters, Rose Heneger and Lydia Coulter; and step-son Sam Cook.
Services: A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Tabor-Rice Funeral Home, 75 S. 13th Ave., Brighton.
Sigrid P. Heinze
May 1, 1907-Dec. 19, 2007
Age: 100
Residence: Kersey
Tribute: Sigrid P. Heinze was born in Cripple Creek to Magnus and Anna (Eichner) Peterson. In July 1931, she married Hugo Heinze in Brighton. Mr. Heinze died in 1962.
Mrs. Heinze spent most of her life in the Greeley-Kersey area. She was a cook at the University of Northern Colorado for 10 years and helped in the kitchen at the Chuckwagon Dinner Playhouse. She also was a homemaker. She was a past member of the Kuner Circle. She loved her poodles, her family and Christmas time.
Survivors: Her sister, Ruth Bernhardt of Red Cloud, Neb.; a brother, Herman Peterson of Kersey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: Four brothers, Rudy, Ray, Pat and Buster Peterson; and two sisters, Marie Redman and Aderine Fredrick.
Services: 1:30 p.m. Friday at Allnutt Funeral Service's Macy Chapel. Burial will be at Linn Grove Cemetery, Greeley.
Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Macy Chapel.
Note: Memorials can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80632.
Elizabeth Jane "Betty" Smith
June 10, 1924-Dec. 20, 2007
Age: 83
Residence: Ault
Tribute: Elizabeth Jane "Betty" Smith was born in Alton, Kansas to Harry and Mildred (Niles) Kurtz.
She graduated from Ault High School in 1941 and married Glenn Smith on July 25, 1943 in Ault. He preceded her in death on May 8, 1996. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Eaton/Ault and the Ault Senior Citizens.
She died Thursday at her home.
Survivors: Her daughter, Catherine (Cathy) Smith of Ault; her son and his wife, Richard and Dyanna Smith of Rochester, New Hampshire; her daughter-in-law, Linda Smith of New Middletown, Ohio; two brothers, Charles Kurtz of Greeley and Kenneth Kurtz of Pine Grove, Calif.; five grandchildren, Heather Strickland of Youngstown, Ohio, Ryan Smith of Lima, N.Y., Erin Sun of Newcastle, Pa., Jeremy Smith of Evans and Ashley Smith of Orono, Maine; and five great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: Her husband, Glenn Smith, a son, David Smith, and a sister, Maxine Davidson.
Services: A memorial service to celebrate Mrs. Smith's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Congregational Church of Eaton/Ault, 352 2nd St. in Eaton. Private family inurnment will be held at the Eaton Cemetery.
Note: Memorial gifts may be made to the Ault Senior Center in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Ave., Evans, CO 80620.
Eleanor Diane Roberts
Nov. 13, 1937-Dec. 22, 2007
Age: 70
Residence: Gilcrest
Tribute: Mrs. Eleanor Diane Roberts was born in Elgin, Ill., to Leslie Whipple and Lucille Yakes Whipple. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1955. She married James N. Geske, and he preceded her in death. She later married George "Duke" Roberts. They were later divorced.
Mrs. Roberts worked for the Red Dale Camper in manufacturing. She later worked in the same plant for the Craft Stoves Co. For a number of years, she cooked for Meals on Wheels of Boulder, providing food for seniors and those in need in that community, retiring because of her health earlier this year. She received more joy from this job and assisting the people who used these services. She most recently worked for Wal-Mart Corp., in Greeley, also retiring this year.
Mrs. Roberts enjoyed fishing, cooking, Bingo and gambling trips to Blackhawk. She was spotted frequently at garage sales and will be fondly remembered as the consummate bargain hunter. Her most cherished role however, was spending time with her adoring children and grandchildren.
As the family noted, she "went home for Christmas."
Survivors: Her sons, James Geske of Kissimmee, Fla., Bruce Geske and his wife Tracy of Gilcrest, Greg Roberts and companion Judy Otsuki of Denver, and Tom Roberts of Sterling; two daughters, Cindy Hedger of Baghdad, Iraq, and Cassi Roberts of Longmont; two sisters, Judy Hinchey and her husband Bobby of Sacramento, Calif. and Barbara Reinert and her husband Lloyd of Vieira Beach, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, Temmesshia, Katacia, Amber and her husband Mike, Kelcie, Danielle and her husband Kirk, Christian, Joshua, Nathan, Cierra, Montanna, Michael, Crystal; and two great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: Her parents, first husband, James and a daughter, Desiree.
Services: 10 a.m. Friday at the Howe Mortuary Chapel, 439 Coffman St., Longmont.
Visitation: 2-7 p.m. Thursday at the Howe Mortuary.
Interment: Erie Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Note: Contributions may be made to the Meals on Wheels of Boulder, 909 Arapahoe Ave. #121, Boulder, CO 80302 or American Lung Association, 1600 Race St., Denver, CO 80206.
Lola Strong
April 7, 1913-Dec. 21, 2007
Age: 94
Residence: Fort Collins
Tribute: Lola Strong was born in Church Hill, Tenn., the daughter of Jacob Enos and Nancy (Nannie) Arnold. At the age of 4, she moved with her family to Nehema, Neb. While living on this island in the Missouri River, she attended school in Hamburg, Iowa. She married Thomas Lowell Strong on Nov. 4, 1933, in Wilbur, Neb. She worked hard to raise her family in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She worked as a nurse's aide in a nursing home and as a shirt-presser at various dry cleaning stores. She and Lowell moved to Fort Collins in 1972. During her retirement, she baby-sat for many area families and spent countless hours joyfully canning and making quilts for her family. She was a member of the Nazarene church for many years and recently was of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints faith. Her departing words were, "Let me go. I see Jesus. He's waiting for me." Her face was aglow with the Spirit of our Lord, and she passed into God's arms with a smile on her face. We will miss our loving mother and grandmother and look forward to seeing her again.
Survivors: Three sons, Roger Strong and wife Kaye of Lincoln, Neb.; Thomas Strong and wife Sherrie of Mason City, Iowa; Jimmy Strong and wife Laura of Greeley; three daughters, Vivian Gregory and husband Robert, and Lois McIntire and husband Merle, of Omaha, and Donna France and husband Claude, of Fort Collins; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren plus one expected.
Preceded in death by: Her husband in 1990; a stillborn son; her five brothers, two in childbirth, Thomas, Charles, and George William; her three sisters, Mary, Nora, and Alice.
Services: The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Allnutt Drake Chapel, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery.
Note: Memorial gifts may be made to either the Disabled American Veterans or the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526.
