Bertha Lee Block

Bertha Lee Block, 89, of La Junta, passed away on December 1, 2015 at her sister’s home
in Pueblo. Bertha was born in Wray,
Colorado on September 14, 1926 to Ernest & Mryle (Wilson) Smith.
She married Harold A. Block on May 28, 1960; he preceded her in death on July 25, 2010.
 
 She graduated from Wray
High School in 1944. She worked at
banks in both Pueblo and Wray,
CO until 1960. She farmed with her husband
near Amherst, CO
until 1972 when they purchased their first motel in Montrose,
Colorado. In 1978 they moved and purchased
the Stage Coach Motel in La Junta and owned and operated it until their
retirement in 2007. She belonged to the Holy
Cross Lutheran Church.
She was a devoted Christian and a caring sister and loving mother and
neighborhood icon.
 
She is survived by her son, Kelly (Dawn) Block of La Junta;
granddaughter, Brandie (Jonathan McMillian) Quick of La Junta; sister, Betty
Kasel of Pueblo; and numerous
nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers,
Edward, Emil, and William Smith; sisters, Margaret Kirschmer, Mildred Simmons,
Tillie Peters, and Susan Meis.
 
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Holy
Cross Lutheran Church,
621 Raton, La Junta, CO,
81050 direct or through funeral home.
 
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas
Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

A celebration of life service will be December 4, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy
Cross Lutheran Church
in La Junta, with Reverend Mary Hendricks officiating.