Katherine Ross
March 11, 1927-Oct. 30, 2007
Age: 80
Residence: Greeley, formerly of Broomfield
Tribute: Katherine Pauline "Kay" Ross was born in Pittsburg, Kan., to Paul and Della Zellmer. She loved growing up and working with her dad on the farm, riding her horse to school and singing in the church choir. After high school, she worked as a secretary. Her organization skills were impeccable.
On Dec. 20, 1958, she married Louis C. Ross Sr. in Pittsburg. They moved to Fort Worth, Texas. Their first son, Paul Ross, was born July 8, 1959. Their second son, Louis C. Ross Jr., was born Dec. 28, 1961. The family then moved to Broomfield. Mrs. Miller was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Denver.
Mrs. Miller was an expert seamstress, enjoyed gardening and loved recordkeeping. She loved all animals, especially German shepherds. She was always proud of her sons' accomplishments.
Mrs. Miller died Tuesday in Greeley. Her family will miss her greatly.
Survivors: A son, Louis C. Ross Jr., and daughter-in-law, Shaunia Ross, of Eaton; a sister, Dorothy Jamison of Littleton; and two nieces, Donna Patterson and Carol Jamison, both of Littleton.
Preceded in death by: Her husband on Oct. 3, 1984, and her son Paul Ross, M.D., on June, 6, 2002.
Graveside services: 1 p.m. Saturday at Green Mountain Cemetery, 290 20th St., Boulder.
Visitation: 11:20-12:30 p.m. Saturday at Green Mountain Cemetery Mausoleum, Boulder.
Notes: Memorial gifts may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 1180 Main St., Suite 9, Windsor, CO 80550. Darryl Howe Mortuary in Lafayette in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Ray
March 3, 1931 - Oct. 24, 2007
Age: 76
Residence: Johnstown
Tribute: Dorothy Ray was born in Erie to John L. and Lela (Wilhelm) Wagner. She married Gene W. Ray on March 16, 1952, in Raton, N.M. She moved to Denver in 1957, to Dacono in 1962, and to Johnstown in 1993 until her death.
She worked for Frontier Airlines for 20 years before becoming owner/operator of H & R Repair and Towing in Johnstown for 26 years. She retired in 1998.
She was of Protestant faith. She was a member of Johnstown Chamber of Commerce, a Broncos fan and was always concerned about things happening around her.
Mrs. Ray died Wednesday at Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado.
Survivors: Two sons, Johnny Ray and his wife Sandy of Longmont, Larry Ray and his girlfriend Sandy Visnyei of Loveland; a daughter, Glenda Hughes of Johnstown; two brothers, Richard Wagner and his wife Delores of Fort Collins, and James Wagner and his wife Joann of Longmont; four grandchildren, Brian Ray and his wife Sarah, Shelly Ray, Janel Ray, and Shawn Hughes and his wife Tara; nine great-grandchildren, Brandy, Alex, Brennen, Bailey, Dylan, Randy, Tyler, Christian and Victoria.
Preceded in death by: Her parents; her husband, Gene W. Ray on Sept. 12, 1998; and a brother, David Wagner.
Visitation: 2- 5 p.m. Sunday at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services: 10:30 a.m., Monday at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel.
Interment: At Foothills Gardens of Memory; a reception will be held at the Johnstown Firehouse 1000 Telep Ave. following Interment.
Notes: Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Northern Colorado Care and Palliative Care, and can be sent to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel.
Charlene McKnight
March 29, 1934-Oct. 23, 2007
Age: 73
Residence: Greeley
Tribute: Charlene J. McKnight was born in La Salle to Reuben and Erma Julianna (Vogel) Borgens. She grew up on a farm in Kersey and graduated from Kersey High in 1951. After high school, Mrs. McKnight started working at the Weld County Bank in Greeley. Upon leaving the Weld County Bank, she began working for the University of Northern Colorado as the payroll supervisor for 30 years, retiring in 1990.
On Jan. 1, 1952, she married Dice McKnight. Mrs. McKnight enjoyed all the Colorado sport teams and was able to attend a couple of the Broncos' Super Bowl games. Mrs. McKnight also loved going to all of her grandchildren's sport activities. She was best known to her family by her great sense of humor. She will be remembered for all the hilarious practical jokes and tricks she played on them. One of Mrs. McKnight's big loves was spending time with her husband and family at their cabin within the Glen Haven Retreat. She enjoyed playing cards with her family and her friends. Mrs. McKnight will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her. Mrs. McKnight was also a member of the First Baptist Church of La Salle.
Mrs. McKnight died Tuesday at Hospice and Palliative Care Inpatient Unit, Greeley.
Survivors: Two daughters, Marilyn McKnight and companion John Ferbrache, and Marlene McKnight; four grandchildren, Sean Betz and wife Rachel of Omaha, Neb., Brandon Betz and wife Kym of Greeley, Crystal McKnight of Windsor, and Holly McKnight of Windsor; five great-grandchildren, Baylee and Aidan Betz, and Dakota, Audrey and Braylen McKnight; her sister, Shirley Robb and her husband Eugene of Greeley.
Preceded in death by: Her husband, Dice McKnight; her parents; and a son, Darrell McKnight.
Services: 11 a.m. today at Adamson West Chapel.
Visitation: 10-11 a.m. today at Adamson West Chapel.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens
Notes: Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of La Salle care of Adamson Funeral and Cremation Services, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.
Bryan D. Shaha
Oct. 27, 1941-Oct. 24, 2007
Age: 65
Residence: Centennial, formerly of Greeley
Tribute: Bryan D. Shaha was born in Oklahoma City. He graduated from U.S. Grant High School. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from University of Central Oklahoma in 1964.
Mr. Shaha served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964 to 1969. During his service, he flew 130 combat missions in the A6, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, 10 Air Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged as a captain.
Mr. Shaha graduated in 1972 from the University of Colorado School of Law. While in law school, he represented indigent persons for the Legal Aid Clinic. This early experience formed a lasting impression on Mr. Shaha, who spent his legal career making sacrifices without regard for personal gain in the defense of the accused and indigent persons in both civil and criminal courts.
Mr. Shaha worked for Colorado Rural Legal Services from 1973 to 1974. The attorneys and staff working for CRLS at that time were passionate people willing to risk much to promote change for the poorest people in our society, including migrant workers and meatpackers.
In 1974, he went to work for the Colorado State Public Defender system in the Greeley office serving as deputy state public defender and office head of the Greeley Regional Office for more than 14 years. Mr. Shaha was a leader in criminal defense in Colorado and nationwide, representing indigent persons throughout the state of Colorado. Although he left the public defender system in 1979 for five years, he continued his representation of the criminally accused during his time in private practice, including his defense of persons facing the death penalty. In his career, Mr. Shaha tried six death penalty cases. None of his clients were ever executed.
Mr. Shaha left the Colorado State Public Defender system in 1996 to become the Alternate Defense Counsel for the State of Colorado, a state agency to assign counsel in criminal matters for indigent persons who could not be represented by a state public defender. He created a state agency that became a national model for assigned counsel programs. He retired in March 2006.
During his career, Mr. Shaha received numerous awards including Public Defender of the Year (1993), the Jonathan Olom Award (1996), the Charles Dorsey Award from the ABA (2005), Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Colorado School of Law (2006) and Abolitionist of the Year Award (2006). His work training attorneys in Colorado and nationally allowed him to share his passion and expertise with numerous attorneys and investigators.
He married Claudia "Corky" Wells in 1966. They have one son, Colin. Corky and Bryan remained friends despite their divorce in 1989.
He married Carol Haller in 1991. They have one daughter, Meaghan.
Mr. Shaha volunteered as a coach for soccer teams for both of his children, taught Great Books, was a Sunday school teacher, and coach for Destination Imagination. He was athletic his entire life, riding bikes on trips with favorite people, hiking and climbing, running races including marathons, playing handball, racquetball and squash. He was a member of the Lawyer team for Partners Superstar Competition in Greeley for years. He was a baseball player and fan, attending many Bears, Zephyrs and Rockies games. Mr. Shaha was an avid reader who kept a lifetime list of books he read and he believed Pete Rose should be in the hall of fame.
Survivors: Hiis wife, Carol, and both children; a daughter-in-law, Cindy, and grandson Beck Shaha of Greeley; his mother, Margaret Shaha of Oklahoma City; a sister, Terry Silvey of Edmond, Okla.; his brother, Ken Shaha, of Fort Worth, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Survivors also include a multitude of friends and colleagues who treasure Mr. Shaha's life of selfless giving to others.
Preceded in death by: His father, Lewis Shaha.
Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Monday, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village. A memorial service will be held in early January 2008 in Greeley to celebrate Mr. Shaha's life.
Notes: Instead of flowers, gifts in Mr. Shaha's name may be made to the University of Colorado School of Law to provide financial help to law students who follow in his footsteps toward a career in public service or to Escuela de Guadalupe school in Denver, to continue their mission to provide quality Catholic, dual-language education to children of all incomes.
Werner Schwingdorf
April 4, 1936 - Oct. 23, 2007
Age: 71
Residence: Grand Junction
Tribute: Werner Dean Schwingdorf was born to Werner H. and Nellie (King) Schwingdorf. Mr. Schwingdorf was a camping and outdoor enthusiast. He graduated from Ault High School in 1954 and lived in Rocky Ford, Craig, and the last three years in Grand Junction. He operated Gamble Hardware Stores throughout Colorado. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Mr. Schwingdorf died Tuesday at Community Hospital in Grand Junction.
Survivors: A son, Shannon and wife, Gina, Schwingdorf of Craig, and a granddaughter, Sarah Schwingdorf of Craig.
Services: 10:30 a.m. at the Church on the Rock, 2170 Broadway, Grand Junction.
Interment: cremated. Will take place at a later date.
Notes: Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to Church on the Rock. Callahan Edfast Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Joe B. Martinez
March 5, 1916 - Oct. 25, 2007
Age: 91
Residence: Greeley
Tribute: Joe Martinez was born to Marcelina (Griego) Martinez and Basilio Martinez in Bingham. When he was 5 years old, the family moved to the Greeley and La Salle area, where they worked as farmers.
As a young man, he returned to New Mexico. There he met and married Elizaida (Liz) Archuleta on May 13, 1939, in Koehler, N.M., and moved to Colorado, where he lived the rest of his life.
Joe had many careers in his lifetime: forester, railroad worker, maintenance specialist, but most of his life was spent as a farmer. He loved the land and had a green thumb, everything he planted flourished. He loved music and was a guitarist and a singer. He had a wonderful sense of humor and he loved to tell jokes and make people laugh.
He was a founding member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, and helped raise the funds to build the church and helped with the actual construction.
Joe leaves a loving legacy because of his generosity, his love of life and his commitment to his family. He was generous to a fault. Everyone who knew him knew they could count on him when they were in need. He would give you the shirt off his back with no question and no expectation of repayment.
His loving family is a testament to a life well-lived.
Survivors: His wife, Liz Martinez; daughters Trudy Martinez and her husband Glen of Peyton; Kathy Martinez and her husband Jere; sons Bob Martinez and his wife Dolores of Denver; Gene Martinez and his wife Janet of Loveland; John Martinez of Greeley; Phil Martinez and his wife Chris of Greeley; 26 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by: His son Dave; his parents; four sisters; and four brothers
Visitation: Recitation of the rosary 7:30 p.m. Sundayat Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church
Funeral services: Mass of the Christian Burial, 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church
Interment: Linn Grove Cemetery
Notes: Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in care of Stoddard Funeral Home. 3205 28th St., Greeley, CO 80634.
George Kaberline
May 9, 1934 - Oct. 22, 2007
Age: 73
Residence: Sun City, Ariz.
Tribute: George Kaberline was born in Sterling to George and Mary Kaberline.
He was a Korean War veteran and was involved in the early days of the Greeley Independence Stampede. He retired from the banking business and had been living in Sun City for more than 20 years. He was an avid golfer.
Survivors: His brother, Chris Kaberline of Cheyenne; a sister, Lousie Brunstrum of Oregon; daughters Kelly Stewart of Newport Beach, Calif., Dana and Jake Enholm of Chandler, Ariz., and Lisa and Rick Watmore of Desert Hills, Ariz.; and six grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: His parents; his sisters Mary Weingardt and Marge Albrandt; and his brother Carl Kaberline.
Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Nov. 2 at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Notes: Letters of condolences can be sent to 38029 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85086.
Carmen Mary (Maria) Padilla
March 13, 1930 - Oct. 15, 2007
Age: 77
Tribute: Carmen Padilla was born in Chupadero, N.M., the daughter of Andres and Tomasita Giron Perea.
She grew up in the Blue Springs mountains southwest of Albuquerque. In 1947, her family moved from New Mexico to the Brush and Fort Morgan area to work for Bill Jacoby and William Cender.
On Jan. 19, 1948, Carmen married Gavino Padilla at Cooperiders Hotel and Saloon also known as the Cattleman's in Brush.
After having seven children, Carmen went back to school to receive her GED. She was in the first adult education class at Fort Morgan High School to receive their diplomas.
She worked as a nursing assistant and was known for her part in the Kitayama strike, fighting for better working conditions for the women there. It was the first agricultural strike in Colorado. Carmen also worked at many of the restaurants in the Fort Morgan and Brush area. She loved to cook for her family and friends. If you came to her house, she would feed you.
She and her husband loved to travel and made many trips to New Mexico, Nebraska and California.
Survivors: Three sons, Robert Padilla of Brush; Eloy H. Padilla of Fort Morgan; Michael Padilla of Pueblo; her daughter Beatrice Padilla of Aurora; 18 grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: Her husband; two daughters, Josephine and Teresa; a son, Saturnine (John) Padilla.
Visitation: 9 a.m. Friday with rosary at 10 a.m. at St. Helena Catholic Church.
Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Friday
Notes: Heer Mortuary in Brush is in charge of the arrangements.
Jack Cromwell
November 15, 1936 - October 25, 2007
Age: 70
Residence: Kansas City, Kan.
Tribute: Jack W. Cromwell was born in Greeley and had lived most of his life in the Kansas City area.
Mr. Cromwell was employed at Allnutt Funeral Home. He had been with the Hardee's Food Systems for more than 25 years before retiring in 1992.
After retiring, he loved clowning around. He went to Clown School and became "Pesty the Clown". He entertained at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, charity events, schools, and at birthday parties. He was a member of several Clown Alley's in the Kansas City area.
Mr. Cromwell died Thursday at Providence Medical Center.
Survivors: His wife of 26 years, Ruth Cromwell; his son, Bill Cromwell; two sisters, Patricia Walters and Rosemary Touslee; three brothers, George Cromwell, Jr., Charles Cromwell and Ronnie Hart of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two step-daughters, Sherri Hileman and Pati Fraker; 11 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: His parents; an infant son, Matt; a sister, Gladys, and two infant sisters.
Note: Burial will be in the National Cemetery. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Sunday at the Porter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Porter Funeral Home and Crematory, 1835 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, KS (913) 621-6400.
