Obituaries

Nov 19, 2021

Irene J. Barela, 73, passed away on November 19, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. She was born on November 19, 1948, to Benjamin & Lelia (Trujillo) Barela in Denver, Colorado. She was a sister to Gerald Garcia, Everett Montano, Debbie Mathis, Ronald Montano and Diane Montano. Irene is survived by her son, Roger (Lauri) Barela of La...

Nov 19, 2021

Cora Mae Vandetti, 90, passed peacefully into the arms of her savior November 19, 2021 at her La Junta home with family and friends around her. Cora Mae was born in Springfield, CO on November 23, 1930 to Walter Thomas & Lula Mae (Parrish) Johnson. She lived and was raised in Kim, CO until 1944 when her family moved to...

Nov 19, 2021

Raymond Anthony Sanchez, 56, passed away on November 19, 2021 at Parkview Hospital in Pueblo. He was born on December 18, 1964 and is survived by parents Rose Manzanares of Pueblo and Gilbert Sanchez Sr. of La Junta. Ray is survived by siblings, Ronnie Sanchez of Denver, Donna (Daniel) Starck of Johnstown, Dorothy (Kelly) Sikes of Pueblo, and Tobias Manzanares...

Nov 15, 2021

Susanna Cecilia Vigil, 75, of Colorado Springs passed away on November 15, 2021 at the Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. She was born on October 6, 1946 in La Junta to Gil & Sally (Barela) Vigil. As per Susanna's request cremation has taken place and no services at this time.

Nov 15, 2021

Helen “Faye” Johannes was born in Alabama City, Alabama on March 9, 1929. She moved to La Junta, Colorado in 1946 and graduated from La Junta High School in 1947. She attended Otero Junior College and also the University of Southern Colorado. She was married to Julius Johannes for almost 65 years From November 20, 1955 until he passed on...

Nov 12, 2021

Ronald Steven Wren was born March 21, 1946 in Kim, Colorado, and departed this life November 12, 2021 at Southeast Colorado Hospital in Springfield, CO. He was preceded in death by his mother, Herald Marie Brown, and father, Edward Wren. He was raised by his grandmother, Ruth Brown, on the ranch south of Kim, where he engaged in ranching and...

Nov 11, 2021

Reverend Darrel Madsen passed away in Lakeland, Florida on November 11, 2021. Darrel and his lifetime sweetheart, Barbara Jo, enjoyed a full life of over 50 years of ordained ministry in the Assemblies of God. They raised 3 children who married and have given them 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Darrel was known as a pastor’s pastor and a loving...

Nov 10, 2021

Mary Lou Marquardt was born May 5, 1931, in her grandparents’ home in Decatur, Arkansas, to Clarence and Agnes Levenhagen. She was raised in Estes Park and Denver, Colorado, where she graduated from East High School. She passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family, on November 10, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Marquardt;...

Nov 10, 2021

On November 10, 2021, Kathleen M. Bonjour peacefully joined the Lord and was reunited with her late husband and love of her life, Donald Bonjour. Kathy was born on November 1, 1941 to Harold and Mary Gretillat in southwestern Minnesota. She was raised in Iowa with her 2 brothers Arno and Larry. She enjoyed growing up on the farm and...

Nov 10, 2021

Delores May Peterie Cox was born December 20, 1936, in Utica, KS to Jess and Geoa Peterie. Sometime early in her childhood they moved to Colorado and settled near Olney Springs where Jess was a farmer and Geoa became the local school teacher. Since Delores lost her dad at such a young age, she didn't speak of him very often,...

Nov 10, 2021

Kenneth Lee Williams May 26, 1945 – November 10, 2021 Kenneth Lee Williams, 76, of La Junta passed away peacefully on November 10, 2021 at the Bent County Healthcare Center in Las Animas, Colorado. Kenneth was born May 26, 1945 in Compton, California to Marvin and Dorothy (Weaver) Williams. Kenneth has lived in La Junta for the past 26 years....

Nov 9, 2021

Bob (Bobby) Carrica, 88, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2021 at the Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center in Walsenburg, CO. Bob was born July 14, 1933 in La Junta, Colorado to Pierre and Clara (Etcheverry) Carrica. Bob was a graduate of La Junta High School and served in the US Army Mountain Warfare and Cold Weather Operations Division...

Nov 7, 2021

Clifford Harold Smart, 75 passed away on November 7, 2021 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta. He was born on November 15, 1945 to Clovis Harold & Anna Rosaline (Phillips) Smart in Anthony, Kansas. Cliff moved to Las Animas in 1996 and worked for the Sheriff's Department. He had done some substitute teaching in the Jr-Senior...

Nov 3, 2021

Oct 31, 2021

Isaias Ernal Perez, 85, passed away on October 31, 2021 at his La Junta home. He was born on July 6, 1936 to Arnulfo and Cirila (Rodriguez) Perez in La Junta. He married Mary Agnes Trujillo on March 17, 1961; she preceded him in death on May 3, 2002. Ernal was a longtime member of Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick...

Oct 30, 2021

Fred D. Justice, 93, passed away October 30, in his home with his wife Jean present. Fred was born at home on the family farm outside of Lafayette, Indiana to James F. Justice, Sr. and Mae Melinda Jackson. Fred was the sixth of seven children. Fred attended school in Klondike, Indiana. As a young teenager, his first jobs besides working...

Oct 30, 2021

Thomas Walls, 39, passed away on October 30, 2021 at his La Junta home. He was born on July 4, 1982 to Bruce & Robin (Cassell) Walls in Clearlake, California. Thomas attended high school in Colorado Springs and obtained his Associates Degree from Pikes Peak Community College. He was a great chef, enjoyed fishing, camping, and the outdoors and spending...

Oct 25, 2021

Clyde W. Stewart was called to his heavenly home on October 25, 2021. Clyde was born September 26, 1949 in La Junta, Colorado, where he lived most of his life. He graduated from La Junta High School in 1967 and joined the United States Navy shortly thereafter. After serving his country he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad before joining...

Oct 24, 2021

Victoria Florez, 55, of La Junta, Colorado went to be with the lord on October 24, 2021 peacefully at her La Junta home. She was born on November 23, 1965 in La Junta to Louie and Eleanor Peteque. Victoria worked as a custodian at Otero Junior College for 13 years and worked many years as a cook at La Junta...

Oct 20, 2021

Ruth Earline Abel, 83, of La Junta entered Heaven’s gates on October 20, 2021 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta. She was born on February 26, 1938 to Earl & Lorena Ruth (Gilmore) Paxton in Abilene, Texas. She had many hobbies including gardening, painting, reading, doing puzzles, and enjoyed attending all grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities....