Dee Johnson
Dee Johnson, formerly of Louisville, died Friday, June 11, 2004, in San Diego.
She was 63 years old.
Ms. Johnson was born Dec. 1, 1940, in San Diego.
She married “Navy” in 1959 and moved 20 times in seven years. The couple divorced in 1968.
She graduated from San Diego State University.
Ms. Johnson worked for the American Automobile Association (AAA) from 1986-1994 in both San Diego and Boulder.
She made her home in Boulder and Louisville from 1986 to 1994.
She later worked for Head Start in northern California.
Ms. Johnson enjoyed raising her children, spending time with her grandchildren and volunteering.
She is survived by her two daughters, one daughter resides in Louisville; a son; and four grandchildren, two grandchildren reside in Louisville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Isabel, also known as “Tiger.”
Memorial contributions may be made to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Featheringill Mortuary of San Diego is handling the arrangements.
Barbara Jean Lindburg
Barbara Jean Lindburg of Oshkosh, Neb., formerly of Lafayette, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004, at her home.
She was 73 years old.
Ms. Lindburg was born April 24, 1931, to Calvin Brooks and Opal Irene (Ogle) Moore in Augusta, Ill.
On Sept. 27, 1952, she married Andrew Lindburg in Augusta, Ill.
She grew up and received her education in Viola, Ill., graduating in 1950.
Ms. Lindburg moved to Boulder in 1953 and later to Lafayette.
She worked for a non-profit company, Eagle Claw, sorting and packaging fishing hooks for 10 years.
She also worked at museums in Oshkosh, Neb.
Ms. Lindburg enjoyed baking, collecting dolls, horses and angels.
She also enjoyed attending the Goodwill Club and United Methodist Church in Oshkosh, Neb.
She is survived by her husband, Andrew Lindburg of Oshkosh, Neb.; her daughters, Ruth (David) Rubsam of Oshkosh, Neb., and Andrea (Del) Barge of Cheyenne, Wyo.; four grandchildren, Jason Lechniak of Broomfield, Travis (Karen) Claussen of Thornton, Honey Lindburg of Boulder and Desiree (Joey) Saldi of Lafayette; two great-grandchildren, Xavier Daunte Lindburg of Boulder and Joey Saldi of Lafayette; and her stepmother, Edith Vest of Macomb, Ill.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Opal Mae Lindburg; and a granddaughter, Allyssa Renee Saldie.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 18, at United Methodist Church in Oshkosh, Neb.
Pastor Ray Weinerman officiated.
Interment followed at Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder.
A memorial has been established for the family.
Holechek Funeral Home of Oshkosh, Neb., is handling the arrangements.
Evaristo 'Lally' H. Najera
Evaristo “Lally” H. Najera of Lafayette died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004, in Boulder.
He was 72 years old.
Mr. Najera was born July 3, 1932, to Evaristo Najera Sr. and Juanita Olivares Najera in Longmont.
On Aug. 6, 1954, he married Josephine Jaramillo in Longmont.
Mr. Najera served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954.
He was a staff sergeant in the Korean War.
He also was in the Army Infantry Reserve for six years.
Mr. Najera worked as a licensed plumber since 1972, retiring in 1988 from the Plumbers Local No. 3.
He was a former commander of Lafayette’s VFW Post No. 1771 Mile High.
He also was a Knights of Columbus member.
He enjoyed the mountains, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.
Mr. Najera is survived by his wife of Lafayette; two sons, Mike Najera of Brighton and Mark Najera of Lafayette; two brothers, Tony Najera of Longmont and Casey Najera of Niwot; four sisters, Martha Martinez and Virginia Alvarez, both of Longmont, Lorenza McInvale of North Platte, Neb., and Juanita Vanleer of Raleigh, N.C.; and eight grandchildren.
A recitation of the Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial were held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lafayette.
The Rev. Bob Amundsen officiated.
Interment followed at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.
Avalon Funeral Home of Lafayette is handling the arrangements.
Richard A. Gonacha
Richard A. Gonacha of Lafayette, formerly of Louisville, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, in Boulder County.
He was 50 years old.
Mr. Gonacha was born July 15, 1954, to John R. Gonacha and Nancy L. Modlish in Lamar.
On Nov. 18, 1979, he married Pamela L. Digby in Boulder. The couple later divorced.
Mr. Gonacha graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1979 with degrees in geography and anthropology.
He was employed as a carpenter.
He was a member of the baptist church.
He enjoyed basketball, rock climbing and golf.
Mr. Gonacha is survived by his son, Marc Gonacha of Boulder; his four daughters, Jessica, Jillian, Brittani and Elisabeth Gonacha, all of Boulder; his parents, John and Nancy of Boulder; his three sisters, Susan Hubler of Denver, Lori Gonacha of Erie and Cindi Brunt of Prince George, British Columbia, Canada; and his former wife, Pamela of Boulder.
Private family services will be held at the Valmont Community Presbyterian Church in Boulder.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gonacha Children’s Education Fund, in care of 335 Manhattan Drive, Boulder, Colo., 80303 or the charity of the donor’s choice.
M.P. Murphy & Associates Funeral Directors of Boulder is handling the arrangements.
Rita P. Alkonis
Rita P. Alkonis of Louisville died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, in Louisville.
She was 82 years old.
Ms. Alkonis was born Oct. 2, 1922, to Leo Kinderknecht and Victoria Heinz in Hays, Kan.
On March 9, 1946, she married retired Air Force Col. Stanley J. Alkonis in Greensboro, N.C.
Ms. Alkonis attended Girls’ Catholic High School in Hays, Kan., and Brown Mackey Business School in Salina, Kan.
She was a homemaker.
She was a member of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) and was a Life Master of Boulder Bridge Unit No. 359.
She enjoyed sports and was a Denver Broncos season ticket holder for many years.
She also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe, including England, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. She also traveled to Hawaii, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.
She is survived by her daughters, Linnea S. (Mike) Sidi of Loveland and Judith A. (Jay) Waligorski of Broomfield; her grandsons, Louis R. (Aubree) Guida III of Highlands Ranch, Mark J. Guida of Fayetteville, N.C., and Jeremy J. Guida of Omaha, Neb.; and a great-grandson, Jack M. Guida of Highlands Ranch.
Funeral services are pending.
Ms. Alkonis’ remains were cremated and interment was held at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium in Washington, D.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Association of Notre Dame, Ind., or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Lafayette.
Darrell Howe Mortuary of Lafayette is handling the arrangements.
Virginia ‘Ginni’ Speaker
Virginia “Ginni” Speaker of Lafayette died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, in Lafayette.
She was 67 years old.
Ms. Speaker was born Oct. 30, 1937, to Charles Isaac Larreau and Ruby Alice Parkhurst Larreau in Oberlin, Kan.
On Aug. 27, 1955, she married Richard L. Speaker in Georgetown.
Ms. Speaker graduated from Lafayette High School in 1955.
She co-owned the Tre-Marie Beauty Salon for 25 years.
She enjoyed cooking, music, dancing and collecting Christmas villages.
She was a member of VFW Post No. 1771.
She is survived by her husband, Richard L. Speaker of Lafayette; her daughters, Cindy (Gene) Eichelberger of Lafayette, Michelle (John) Chiolino of Tempe, Ariz., and Kristine Speaker of Longmont; her son, Frank Speaker of Lafayette; her brother, Gerald Larreau of Wauneta, Neb.; her sister, Gloria Messinger of McCook, Neb.; her dog, Daisy; and, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Kenneth, Donald and Richard.
Memorial services will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Darrell Howe Mortuary Chapel, 1701 W. South Boulder Road, Lafayette.
The Rev. Bob Amundsen officiated.
Interment will follow at Lafayette Municipal Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or Children’s Hospital.
Darrell Howe Mortuary of Lafayette is handling the arrangements.
Russel Davies
Russel Davies of Longmont died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at Longmont United Hospital. He was 85 years old.
Mr. Davies was born to William and Ella Buckley Davies on April 21, 1920, in Longmont.
He was raised and lived in the Hygiene and Longmont area.
He graduated from Longmont High School in 1938.
On Jan. 24, 1959, he married Phyllis June Scarpella in Boulder.
Mr. Davies was a carpenter foreman for Fitzsimmons Army Hospital. He retired in the 1980s.
He attended Hygiene United Methodist Church.
Mr. Davies was a 30-year member and a past fire chief for the Hygiene Volunteer Fire Department.
He also was a member of the BPOE Elks No. 1055, where he served as exalted ruler from 1968-1969; the IOOF Odd Fellows; and, the Longs Peak Grange.
He enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Elks and Odd Fellows bowling teams. He participated in horseshoe-pitching tournaments and played baseball in his early years.
He enjoyed playing poker and meeting friends for coffee at the Hygiene café.
Mr. Davies is survived by his son, Tom Davies of Longmont; his brother, Ernest (Virginia) Davies of Longmont; his brother-in-law, Carmen (Barbara) Scarpella of Longmont; his sisters-in-law, Dorothy Greve of Longmont and Ellon “Woody” Scarpella of Wray; and, numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were hosted on Nov. 16, 2005, at the LifeBridge Christian Church.
The Rev. Burry Bessee of the Hygiene United Methodist church served as the officiant.
Interment was at the Hygiene Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hygiene Volunteer Fire Department or the BPOE Elks No. 1055, in care of the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry St., Longmont, Colo. 80501.
Marion A. Allen
Marion A. Allen of Fort Collins died on Monday, Nov. 28, 2005. She was 83 years old.
Ms. Allen was born to Louis and Ida Egland on March 13, 1922, in Haynes, N.D.
She grew up on a homestead farm in southwest North Dakota during the depression.
Her family survived by trading cream and eggs in return for staple foods.
She lived in the Dakotas and Montana. She moved to Colorado in 1965.
Ms. Allen worked as an office manager and accountant for J.C. Penney, Gates Rubber and the Denver Athletic Club.
In 1976, she became the owner and operator of the Big Bend Motel in Estes Park.
During her retirement, she lived in Longmont and Louisville.
A devout Catholic, Ms. Allen was a seamstress who, among other projects, made her daughter’s wedding gowns and son’s shirts.
Ms. Allen is survived by her son, the Rev. Donald Willette of Fort Collins; her daughter, Marla (Jim) Attwood of Pinewood Springs; her grandchildren, Sarah Douglas of Denver, Kelly Lewis of Plymouth Mich., David John Baumhover of Dacono and Rodney Baumhover of San Diego; and, three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions in Marion Allen’s name may be made to John 23rd’s Brick Memorial Fund.
