Obituaries

CAROL A. (GUENTHER) WAGEMAN March 17, 2022

Carol Ann (Guenther) Wageman, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away at the age of 85 on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Carol lived a good, long life. She was born to Alvin and Reva Guenther in a small farming community in Nebraska just before Christmas in 1936. She grew up on a farm, living an idyllic life when as a teenager she met her future husband Bill Wageman through amateur radio.

Bill and Carol married in September 1954. Their oldest son, Stuart, was born in Nebraska in 1955. The young couple then moved to Los Alamos, Read More

FLORENCE OLIVIA GONZALES March 8, 1936 – March 27, 2022

Florence Olivia Gonzales, born on March 8, 1936, peacefully went to meet our Heavenly Father on Sunday, March 27, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Florence was the youngest of eight children born to Joaquin and Aurelia Garduno. She devoted her life to her family and community in the Nambé Valley, where she lived her entire life like generations of her family before her.

In 1955, Florence married the love of her life Santiago “Jimmy” Gonzales, Jr., two months after graduating from Pojoaque High School. The two met at a high school dance when Read More

JOHN WILLIAM WARD Oct. 16, 1929 – March 22, 2022

John William Ward, scientist and musician, died March 22, 2022 at the age of 92. He passed peacefully at his home in Tijeras of complications stemming from a year-long battle with prostate cancer.

John was born October 16, 1929, in Moline, IL to William and Violet Ward. He graduated from Augustana College with a BA in chemistry, followed by a master’s from Washington University in Saint Louis with and later a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of New Mexico after joining the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) full time.

Coming to Read More

SANDRA ANNE TOLMIE Aug. 31, 1938 – March 22, 2022

Sandra Anne Tolmie of Los Alamos New Mexico was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She left this world suddenly on March 22, 2022, at the age of 83.

She was born on August 31, 1938, in Belvidere Illinois. The family moved to Albuquerque in 1947 where Sandra graduated from Highland High School in 1956. She then went on to get her teaching degree at University of New Mexico in 1960. She married Don Tolmie in the same year and moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico where she became a 2nd grade teacher at Aspen Elementary School.

Sandra and Don had two children, Read More

ROBERT L. CADY July 3, 1924 – March 3, 2022

Robert L. Cady recently passed away 4 months short of his 98th birthday.

He was known to us as Daddy, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, and to his “other family” in Los Alamos as Grandpa Bob. He was a quiet, kind person with a subtle great sense of humor. Bob’s jokes were frequently made at the spur of the moment.

Robert was born in Brawley, California and worked on a farm with his family. He served in the Army in World War II, stationed in the Philippines. After the War, He met Drexel James of Laguna Beach, California and they were married in 1951. They began their married Read More

JAMES E. STALLINGS Dec. 13, 1928 – Jan. 21, 2022
LUCINDA “LUCY” REBECCA STALLINGS Oct. 3, 1932 – Dec. 15, 2021

James E. Stallings, born Dec. 13, 1928, passed away Jan. 21, 2022, at the age of 93. At the young age of 19 he moved from his birthplace Bee, Oklahoma to Los Alamos. He called Los Alamos “home” for the rest of his long adventurous life.

Lucinda “Lucy” Rebecca Stallings, born Oct. 3, 1932, passed away Dec. 15, 2021, at the age of 89. She was born in Bingham Canyon, Utah and was raised in Santa Fe. In 1950, she met and married the “Love of Her Life”, James E. Stallings.

A Celebration of life Read More

MICHAEL ELI ALVAREZ March 20, 2022

Michael Eli Alvarez was a caring son, husband, father, uncle, brother, and friend.

He passed away in his home March 20, 2022 at the age of 51. He fought a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones who will honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Michael graduated from Alameda High School in Lakewood, Colorado and went on to receive a Culinary Art degree at the Colorado Institute of Arts. From there, he managed many food service hospital accounts working for Sodexo and Aramark.

He met the love of his life, Carmela, while working at Sodexo. Read More

PATRICIA JEAN HARLOW Aug. 3, 1927 – March 17, 2022

Patricia Jean (Nystuen) Harlow died peacefully on March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day, 2022, in Los Alamos, New Mexico, at age 94.

She was born on August 3, 1927, in Room 2, at the Northfield Hospital in Northfield, Minnesota. Her mother, Mary Elizabeth (Cooey) Nystuen, was from Le Center, Minnesota, the youngest of eight children. Her father, Oscar Nystuen, was from Milford, Iowa, the sixth child in a family of nine.

Oscar was a supporter of crop rotation, specifically alfalfa preceding the preferred crop. Mary was a devoted schoolteacher and mother. Read More

DAVE TENNESSEN March 18, 2022

David M. Tennessen (“Dave”), 68, of Los Alamos, NM passed on unexpectedly, and to the heartbreak of many, on Friday March 18, 2022.

Dave was born to Mary and Robert Tennessen in 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Chicago and loved visiting and staying with his grandparents in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Dave loved camping and scouting and he achieved the rank of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

He attended Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. He began his career working for Honeywell, followed by a 30+ year Read More

ERNESTINE KEADY Oct. 5, 1932 – Feb. 27, 2022

Ernestine Keady, age 89, passed away Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. She was born in Malden, MA to her parents, Leroy and Helen Grant Oct. 5, 1932.

Ernestine married Charles J. Keady June 6, 1954. They were residents of New Mexico since 1954 in Albuquerque and Los Alamos. She and her husband belonged to the Irish American Society.

Ernestine was an R.N. from 1953 until her retirement.

She is survived by her sister Marjorie Grant; children Susan, Carol, Steven and David; grandchildren: Nicholas, Kimberly, Meghan, Jordyn; great-grandchildren: Merriah, Mahli, Read More

JOSEPH L. UHER March 13, 2022

Joseph L. Uher, 90, of Los Alamos passed away gently surrounded by family at his home Sunday March 13, 2022.

Joseph was a US Navy Veteran, serving in the 1950’s as a First Class Machinist Mate. He went on to have careers at both Brookhaven National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory, retiring as a mechanical technician.

He was an active member of St. Paul the Apostle, and a 4th degree Knight of Columbus in Pueblo West, Colorado. Together with his wife, Joseph also enjoyed being members of the Edison Region Car Club in Ft. Meyers, FL, and the Texas region of AACA, Read More

ANNE VALVERDE Nov. 20, 1933 – March 13, 2022

Our dear sweet beloved Anne passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022. She passed away peacefully at home where she was loved and cared for until the very end.

Anne lived and passed on her own terms, which is exactly the way she wanted it.

She was a loving wife, a wonderful mom, a caring grandma, and an amazing friend. Anne loved to go to the casino, play pool, play cards, travel, and visit with family and friends. Everyone that met Anne adored her, she was always the life of the party.

She is deeply missed, and so loved by all who knew her. She has left her mark on us and Read More

GARY L. GREEN Oct. 31, 1944 – March 5, 2022

Gary L. Green, 77, of Albuquerque and formerly of Los Alamos, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, March 5, 2022 after a brief illness.

He is survived by his loving wife of 17 years Margie, daughters Dawn Groves (Larry), Jill Staveley (Brian), and Kim Gonzalez (Benny), stepsons Tom and Steve Morrison, seven grandchildren (Jessica, Vanessa, Alyssa, Kayla, Natalee, Jordan, and Danielle), and five great-grandchildren (Aleaha, Zailynn, Felicia, Mason, and Clara).

He was preceded in death by his first wife Jan in 2002.

Gary lived Read More

PAUL ANTHONY JARAMILLO, JR. 

Our beloved Paul A. Jaramillo Jr., a resident of Albuquerque and formerly of White Rock, slipped into eternity into the arms of our Heavenly Father unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.  

Paul was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and uncle who loved and cherished his family with all of his heart. Paul Jr. impacted countless lives and is dearly loved by many.

Paul loved spending time with family and enjoyed teasing them. He enjoyed fishing and going to the gym early in the morning before returning to see his kids off to school. He enlisted in the US Army in 2018 Read More

ELIZABETH “BETTY” WOOD (Schmuck) Nov. 28, 1920 – Dec. 22, 2021

Elizabeth “Betty” Wood, 101, died peacefully in her bed December 22nd, 2021, at Sombrillo Nursing Home in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Betty was born November 28th, 1920, in Sequim, Washington to Ernest August Schmuck (1883-1967) and Mercie Almeda Smith (1890-1947). The youngest of seven children, Betty grew up on her family’s farm on the coast of Sequim Bay.

On August 7, 1941, she married Brian Herman Wood (1921-1971) and had three children. Hopping from place to place they finally settled in New Mexico where she drove a school bus and Read More

LORETTA ELLEN STAPLETON May 28, 1955 – March 5, 2022

Loretta Ellen Stapleton of Cody, WY passed away peacefully on March 5, 2022.

A rosary will be prayed at Ballard Funeral Home on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 2pm with a funeral service to follow at the funeral home at 3pm.

Loretta was born May 28, 1955 in Guthrie, Oklahoma to Marjorie Hedgecock and Clyde Teuscher. She attended Guthrie High School, graduated from Rose State College with a degree in Nursing, and later receiving a Master’s degree in Nursing Education.

In 1977, she met the love of her life, James Stapleton, in Kansas. They were married Read More

ROGER ELLIS WATERMAN Feb. 12, 1947 – March 5, 2022

Roger Waterman of Los Alamos, passed away March 5, 2022 from a rare, aggressive form of skin cancer.

Roger was born in Wichita, Kansas Feb. 12, 1947 to Alice Brigham Waterman and Robert “Bob” Waterman. He was the middle son, tall and red-headed and wore glasses early. The young family moved to Los Alamos in 1947 where Bob worked as a guard at East Gate and his sons had the run of a safe post-war community.

Among his early jobs, Roger sold snow cones and drove a moving van around the western United States. Early travels with his parents likely planted the Read More

MAGDALENA NORWOOD (1940-2022)

Magdalena Norwood (1940-2022), known to her family and friends as Lilly, has gone to be with all of her dogs and friends that went before her.

She was a force of nature … often referred to as our “little German energizer bunny”. She never missed an opportunity to scold and advise us that we really ought to teach our pets proper manners. She said, “The meaner and crazier they are the more we have to love them.”

The meanest, most cantankerous, insecure dogs and people were drawn to her … coincidence? I think not. She once encountered a burglar in her home … she got a frying pan Read More

HOWARD B. (BUD) DEMUTH June 22, 1928–Feb. 20, 2022

Howard Demuth, 93, died peacefully at home on February 22, 2022, in Boulder, CO, with family at his side. In late January, Howard sustained a debilitating fall from which he did not recover.

Howard was born in Junction City, KS, on June 20, 1928, to Frances E. (Honey) Pierce Demuth and Howard Bundrum Demuth, and he spent his early childhood in Ellsworth, KS. His early memories were of small town life, the Dust Bowl, and the Great Depression. He moved to Boulder, CO, with his mother, Honey, and his older brother, Hal, at the age of 10.

His life was full Read More

DONALD W. BEENE Nov. 10, 1935 – Feb. 21, 2022

Donald W. Beene died February 21, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Minnie (Brown) Beene; his older brother, Douglas Beene; his daughter, Deborah Kaye Beene; and his stepdaughter Lynn Ellen Aberger.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen, his son Mark (Lori) of Tempe, AZ; two granddaughters, Kayla (Garrett) Drown of Chandler, AZ, and Marissa Beene of Boulder, CO; his brother Daryl (Debbie) Beene of Lawrence, KS; as well as Ellen’s children R. Joseph (Shirley) Hanold, of Tucson, AZ; and Jonathan (Susan) Hanold of Dallas, TX, and granddaughters, Read More

ALLYN CLAIRE LOWENSTEIN March 7, 1920 – Jan. 20, 2022

Allyn Claire (Allie) Lowenstein died Jan. 20, 2022 following a short illness. One hundred-one years old, she was born March 7, 1920 in Nevada, a state she emotionally embraced throughout her life.

A child of the Depression, Allie married at seventeen. Leading into WWII, she had four children in five years (all eventual college graduates), spending several years in a house without indoor bathroom plumbing.

She served her community during the ‘50s as a 4-H leader helping rural kids – including her two sons – learn and perfect sewing Read More

LLOYD D. WHEAT Aug. 25 1938 – Dec. 29, 2021

 Age 83 a resident of Deming, NM passed away on December 29, 2021

Lloyd served in the US Navy and worked at LANL where he later retired.  Lloyd raised three children as a single father for more than 10 years. He was an avid gun collector and he loved to tell stories and jokes.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his mother Marguerite Wheat, father Edwin Wheat, sister Sylvia DeWall, brother Johnny Wheat and daughter Kathy Wheat.

Lloyd is survived by his wife Maxx Wheat, brothers Don Wheat, Billy Wheat (Jude) sister Becky Bridges (Glen), his children Deborah Cowan, Jerry Read More

ALLAN GORDON NICOL May 4, 1938 – Feb. 22, 2022

Allan Gordon Nicol was born at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut to William J.W. Nicol and Janet Scott Thomson Nicol.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother William Alexander Nicol and beloved wife Carolyn Sue Nicol.

He is survived by his sister Betty Dobensky of Stratford, CT; son Dan Nicol of Rio Rancho, NM; son Jeff Nicol (Tiffany) of Rio Rancho, NM; stepdaughter Terri Moore of Los Alamos, NM; stepson John Moore of Rio Rancho, NM; stepson Craig Moore (Aimee) of Crossville, TN; grandchildren Chelsey Nicol, Allan Nicol (Crystal), Read More

JESSE WHITE JR. March 15, 1932 – Feb. 4, 2022

Jesse White, Jr., 89, of Eustace, Texas, passed away February 4, 2022, in Eustace.

Jesse Gardner White, Jr. was born March 15, 1932, in Charleston, New Hampshire, the son of Robert White and Jessi (Bundy) White. He graduated from the Berwick Academy in Maine in 1950 where he obtained the nickname “Smiley”, and later married Kate LaFáye Yancy on January 6, 1951.

He enlisted in the United States Army where he served from 1951 to 1954 as a weapon specialist. After the military, he attended Southern Methodist University where he graduated with his bachelor’s Read More

ANNE ROCKWOOD Aug. 31, 1929 – Feb. 18, 2022

Anne was born on August 31, 1929 in North Plainfield, New Jersey to Sophie and Laser David Frankel.  She was the youngest of 5 children, a surprise born 13 years after her 4 siblings. Her mother was an invalid, so she was essentially raised by her siblings.

She received her BA in 1951 from Hood College and her occupational therapy degree from Columbia University in 1952. She dearly loved teaching arts and crafts to mental health outpatients. She was so dedicated to her patients that after the Sylmar earthquake of 1971 collapsed the building at Olive View hospital Read More

SHERRY (SIMUNDSON) MAGEE Dec. 16. 1942 – Feb. 18, 2022

Sherry Lynn Magee, 79, survived by her husband of 31 years, Burl Dean Magee of Weatherford, TX, who was her high school sweetheart and lifelong love. She was born in Oklahoma City, OK.

She was preceded in death by her parents, R.L. McLean, Polly McLean and brother Michael McLean.  

Surviving daughters are DeEdda McLean and DeAnn Young of Hillsborough, NC; and stepson Corey Magee of Fort Worth, Texas. Grandchildren incude Emily Hendry (Craig Hendry) of Hillsbororgh, NC; Kevin Freyer (Darlette Martinez) of Albuquerque, NM and Matthew Magee Read More

JAMES W. STAPP July 4, 1928 – Feb. 11, 2022

James W. Stapp passed peacefully amongst loving family members on Friday, February 11, 2022, in Albuquerque, NM.

Jim was born on July 4, 1928, in Vero Beach, Florida. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Albuquerque where he met and married Suzanne. Jim and Suzanne moved to Los Alamos where they were active in the community while raising a family. She preceded him in death and passed away in 2009.

Over the years Jim was active in Scouting, local conservation, and regularly with his Church. Following retirement, he was a frequent volunteer at The United Read More

CONNIE POORE Oct. 27, 1943 – Feb. 8, 2022

Connie Poore left this world and her loving family on February 8, 2022

Connie was born on October 27, 1943, in Casper, Wyoming and moved to Albuquerque at the age of 10 after the death of her father.

She graduated high school from St. Pius High School in Albuquerque in 1961. After high school she completed a degree in biology at UNM at a time when few women were in the sciences. She then taught several years of high school biology in Richland, Washington before having two children, Jim Gustafson and Heather Beckman. She moved to Los Alamos in 1976 as her husband at Read More

NANCY MALTRUD Aug. 14, 1931 – Feb. 8, 2022

Our beloved bright spirit, Nancy Maltrud, passed on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. She was at home, surrounded and lifted up by her loving family while in hospice care soon after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Affectionately known as “Nan,” she was born in Germantown, PA, and grew up in Merchantville, NJ, and Baltimore, MD. She was the daughter of Solveig Singdahlsen and Harold Steel. Nancy was the middle child in her family between elder sister Joan and younger brother Harold Jr.

Following high school, Nancy attended nursing school in Baltimore and soon Read More

SETH E. RISLOVE Jan 31, 1930 – Feb. 13, 2022

Seth E. Rislove, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, died peacefully in his sleep on February 13, 2022.

Seth was born on January 31, 1930, to Seth J. and Ella Rislove in Rushford, MN. He was a graduate of Rushford High School and Kings Point United States Merchant Marine Academy. On August 23, 1952, he married Marcella Ann Niggle.

Before his employment at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he served two years in the United States Navy, worked for two years at the Rosemount Research Center at the University of Minnesota in Rosemount, MN, and five years at Westinghouse Read More

LEROY MONTOYA Dec. 27, 1950 – Dec. 7, 2021

LeRoy A. Montoya, 70, of Lubbock, passed away Tuesday night, December 7, 2021. Mr. Montoya was born on December 27, 1950, in Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico to the late Dionicio Montoya and Maria (Lesperance) Montoya.

LeRoy attended Los Alamos High School and graduated in 1969. Following graduation from high school, he attended Eastern New Mexico University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, Ethnic Education and Reading in 1973.

During his college years, he worked at Cannon Air Force Base helping soldiers to read. Mr. Montoya met Read More

GEORGE H. BEST – Feb. 9, 2022

After 101 years on this earth, George H. Best passed away on February 9, 2022.

He leaves behind a world, and certainly a community, that is a better place because of his presence, efforts and achievements.

Honored as a Living Treasure by Los Alamos in 2018, George was celebrated for his volunteer work during the 70 years he and his life partner, Elizabeth Best, lived in Los Alamos. He helped establish the Pajarito Ski area, the East Park swimming pool, the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, the Los Alamos Credit Union (now Del Norte Credit Union), and the computer user group Read More

REBECCA ROBYN WATKINS May 3, 1981 – Feb. 6, 2022

Rebecca “Becca” Robyn Watkins, 40, passed away on February 6, 2022.

Rebecca called Los Alamos home for 35 years. She was born May 3, 1981 in Hayward, California to Robert Judd and Lynda Judd and was the youngest of 5.

Becca was married to Jon Watkins Dec. 31 2002 in White Rock, and is a proud mother of two.

She is survived by her husband Jon Watkins, son Vinny Watkins, daughter Robyn Watkins, father Robert Judd, mother Lynda Judd, sisters Jennifer Newman, Tysa Royce and Tara Johnson, brother Robert Judd II, father-in-law David Watkins, mother-in-law Read More

NANCY DIANE KEOWN Aug. 20, 1953 – Feb. 10, 2022

Nancy Diane Keown beloved wife and mother passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones Feb. 10, 2022.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel.  201 E 3rd St, Lampasas, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Nancy was born to Frank and Ruth Sill Aug. 20, 1953. She grew up in Agua Dulce, Texas graduating from Agua Dulce High School.

She married Robert Keown July 13, 1974, and was a devoted mother to their three daughters.

Nancy was preceded in death by her mother, Read More

EDWARD STRATEMEYER ADAMS Sept. 4, 1925 – Feb. 11, 2022

Edward Stratemeyer Adams passed away at age 96. Born Sept. 4, 1925, and died Feb. 11, 2022.

Born to Harriet and Russell Vroom Adams. He was the youngest sibling to Russell Jr, Patricia and Camilla. Ed had a long and healthy life, frequently enjoying walks until a fall fractured his hip in August 2021.

He married Joan Jordan in 1953. They had three daughters: Kimberley, Cynthia, and Sharon. Ed and Jo married in Ohio, but went on to spend time living in New Jersey and Belgium before settling in Pittsburgh, PA for over 50 years. Jo passed in 2009.

Ed completed Read More