Obituaries

DAVID F. KEDDY March 21,1933 – Nov. 11, 2019

Dave passed away peacefully at his home in Vernal UT surrounded by family.

He was born in Denver CO to Mary Ann and Albert F. Keddy formerly of Los Alamos. A LAHS graduate in 1953, he married Rita McConkie in 1957 of Vernal, Utah. Dave and Rita had 62 years together. They have 12 children, 23 Grandchildren and 17 Great grandchildren.

He graduated from Utah State University in Forestry. He was District Ranger in Jemez Springs, Reserve and Mayhill, NM before completing his 32-year career in Utah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Edward Keddy Read More

MICHAEL DOUGLAS WOLFF Dec. 8, 1953 – Oct. 30, 2019

Mike Wolff died recently in a place he loved—the family cabin in Colorado. He was surrounded by the spirits of those he loved and those who loved him, happy memories, and beautiful views of the Spanish Peaks and the Rocky Mountains.

Michael Douglas Wolff was born on December 8, 1953, in Minnesota and was the second child of Marilyn Louise (Jones) Wolff and Walter Pitts Wolff. He grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1972.

Mike worked at Pierotti’s Flower Shop, both before and after his three-year military service Read More

HENRY CHARLES “CHIP” CHRISTIANS III April 17, 1953 – Nov. 4, 2019

Henry Charles “Chip” Christians III, aged 66, formerly of Los Alamos, NM passed away peacefully at home Monday evening November 4, 2019 with his wife Carolyn at his side after a five-month battle with cancer.

He was born April 17, 1953 in Wheaton, IL to Joan Carolyn Beutel and Henry Charles Christians II. He grew up in Los Altos, CA and Hinsdale, IL. He spent several years training polo ponies. He was married to his first wife Sharon Thompson until her death in 2009. Two children blessed their lives; a daughter Dana and a son Travis. Favorite Read More

ALICE W. JOHNSON Nov. 2, 2019

Alice W. Johnson, 83, a lifelong resident of Los Alamos, NM, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends at her sister Irene’s home in Santa Fe, NM.

She is preceded in death by her parents Herman and Helen Martinez, and husband Merle.

She is survived by her loving companion John Danielson, her precious dogs, her siblings Luis Martinez (Rose), Annie Bonnell, Cecilia Jaramillo (Fred), Irene Martinez, Olivia Montoya, Carmen Guzman (Joaquin), Lucy Guzman, Mary Campos, Michelle Romero, Read More

JAN SANDER Oct. 18, 2019

Jan Sander, a long-time resident of White Rock, passed away on October 18, 2019, of cancer.

She was born Janet Lee Blohm in Chicago in 1942, but soon thereafter resided in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Jan met her future husband, Oscar Sander, there playing “Kick the Can” in the street that separated their childhood homes. They dated in high school, enjoyed university life, were married in 1961, and spent 58 exciting, wonderful years totally in love with each other. They were a team and did everything together

Before moving to New Mexico, Jan and her family moved 26 times. Read More

BRIAN BRUCE GLOVER June 18, 1976 – Oct. 30, 2019

Brian Bruce Glover, 43, of Los Alamos, NM died unexpectedly on October 30, 2019.

He was born June 18, 1976, in Deadwood, SD. He is the first child and only son of Terry and Kay Glover. Brian grew up in Sturgis, SD and was joined by five sisters, each of whom he loved dearly. Brian took being a big brother seriously and was very protective of “The Sisters”.

It was evident at an early age that he loved science as he was always reading Popular Science magazines. Brian was curious and inventive at a level that astounded most. After working road construction for Read More

WILLIAM LLOYD SPURGEON Nov. 19, 1957 – Oct. 30, 2019

William (Bill) Lloyd Spurgeon age, 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

He was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and moved to Albuquerque at the age of 3. He attended Bel Air Elementary School, McKinley Jr. High School, and Del Norte High School in Albuquerque.

He and his family moved to Los Alamos where he attended Los Alamos High School for his senior year.

Bill proudly served in the Navy from 1975 to 1980 where he began his journey as an electrical technician and engineer.

After the Navy, Bill Read More

MARGARET KOOK-SUN CHAN Dec. 24, 1946 – Oct. 24, 2019

Margaret Kook-Sun Chan, 72, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, formerly of Los Alamos, NM, died peacefully on Thursday, October 24th at City of Hope Hospital in Southern California after a long but courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Guangzhou, China in 1946, she moved to Hong Kong and graduated from the Chinese University of HK. She then immigrated to the United States and received a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1975. There she met her loving husband and started a family.

In her 40’s, she returned to school and obtained a degree Read More

TINA MARIE SHALEK Oct. 18, 2019

Tina Marie Shalek, 59 of Los Alamos passed away on October 18, 2019.

She was born in Hinsdale, Illinois to Rosemarie and Peter Shalek. Tina graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1981. She moved into the Peach Street Group Home in 1984, a place that became a second home and family throughout her life.

Tina was involved in her community through the Special Olympics, the local ARC, the local animal shelter, Las Cumbres Community Services and the United Church of Los Alamos. She loved to ride the trolley and go out to eat. She worked at the Los Alamos Monitor and Sonic for Read More

ROSEMARIE CASTELLI SHALEK Aug. 31, 2019

Rosemarie Castelli Shalek, 92 of Los Alamos passed away on August 31, 2019.

She was born in Mark, Illinois to Virgil and Enis Castelli, immigrants from Italy. Rosie graduated from Illinois State University with a master’s in counseling and received a bachelor’s degree in teaching. She worked as a guidance counselor in Lyons Township, Illinois and taught Business Education for many years and then Home Economics at Cumbres Jr. High School when they moved to Los Alamos.

Rosie was married to Peter Dean Shalek in 1957 and they were devoted to each other for 61 Read More

DARRYL B. SMITH Oct. 25, 2019

Darryl B. Smith, 83, a resident of Los Alamos since 1958, died Friday, October 25, 2019, after a short illness.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; a son, Brian and wife Sarah, of Portland, Oregon; a daughter Allyson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and a sister, Catherine Scheel and husband Len, of White Rock, New Mexico.

Smith was born in Ryan, Iowa, and grew up in Decatur, Illinois. He received a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico and worked as a physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 37 years. For 29 of those years, he participated in nuclear materials safeguards Read More

JEAN MICHAEL FUSELIER June 11, 1987 – Oct. 18, 2019

Jean Michael Fuselier began a new journey, unexpectedly on October 18, 2019.

Michael, as he was known to just about all, came running impatiently into this world in Asheville, NC on June 11, 1987. He must have been in a rush to meet his parent’s Robert (Bob) and Susie Fuselier and his big sister Jennifer.

Michael started his life of traveling and service early on when he went with his family to Honduras where they lived in an orphanage. Shortly after returning from this journey Michael became a big brother to the new addition, Bobby.

The family continued Read More

MARY HELEN FIERRO KLARE Oct. 15, 2019

Mary Helen Fierro Klare passed away with her family by her side on October 15, 2019 in Los Alamos, NM.

Mary Helen was a gentle soul, beautiful wife and mother, amazing musician, and friend. Born in El Paso, Mary Helen was raised by her loving parents, Jose and Aurora Fierro.

Among her many achievements, Mary Helen was valedictorian of her high school class in El Paso, graduated from Texas Western College (UTEP) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, and earned her Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Colorado Boulder.

In 1969, she came to Los Alamos to teach Read More

ANNETTE MARTA CHAVEZ-ARAGON (NETTA) Jan. 19, 1956 – Sept. 18, 2019

Annette Marta Chavez-Aragon (Netta), 63, of Santa Fe New Mexico, passed away peacefully in her home on September 18, 2019.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday October 5^th, 2019 at Rivera Funeral Home, 417 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505. Deacon Juan Martinez of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Assisi will be leading the Rosary at 1:00 p.m.

The Celebration of Life service will begin at 2:00 p.m. in an open-speaker format where loved ones are invited to share readings and/or stories to honor Annette. The Read More

SOPHIA FELDMAN April 16, 2004 – Sept. 28, 2019

Sophia Rose Feldman, aged 15, of Los Alamos, unexpectedly passed away on September 28, 2019. She was with her parents at Los Alamos Medical Center, where staff worked assiduously to revive her – we cannot thank them enough for their valiant efforts.

Sophia was a bright and eloquent spirit in the world. As a student at Los Alamos High School, she was looking forward to singing in the Bel Canto choir, learning how to drive, entering upcoming speech and debate competitions, and trying to figure out what she wanted to do in the world.

She had her first-ever Read More

LAURENT (LARRIE) EDWIN CHIGBROW June 19, 1955 – Sept. 22, 2019

Laurent (Larrie) Edwin Chigbrow, age 64 of Los Alamos, NM, passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2019.

Larrie was born on June 19, 1955 in Clay Center, Kansas. He graduated from Charlies M. Russell High School, in Great Falls, MT and went on to graduate from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT with a Chemical Engineering Degree.

He met his future wife, Barbara Drga, while attending MSU. They started their life together in Idaho where he worked for the Idaho National Laboratory for over 25 years. They then moved to Los Alamos, NM where Read More

MILDRED ANN POWERS

Mildred Ann Powers, 82, Farmington, NM, passed away August 31st, 2019.

She was born to William and Ida Catherine Dittmar in Appleton, Wisconsin.

She was a graduate of Zion Lutheran Grade School, Appleton Senior High School, Appleton, WI and Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago, IL. She was a geriatric RN off and on throughout her life in Clinton, IA, where she lived for 30 years and Los Alamos, NM.

She loved her pets, of which she had many, gardening, collecting antiques and Southwestern Art. She always had a positive outlook and was passionate about her life and Read More

AARON CHAPMAN Feb. 22, 1982 – Sept. 15, 2019

Aaron Chapman passed away unexpectedly on September 15, 2019. He was 37 years old.

Aaron was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico on February 22, 1982. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1999.

Aaron had various occupations, mostly in the food service industry. He enjoyed mixing music and had a knack for fixing computers. He also had a very creative personality which was displayed in his artwork, but what Aaron loved and enjoyed the most was his precious son, Jonathan Daniel Chapman.

Aaron is preceded in death by his Grandfathers John Chapman Read More

PATRICIA M. RICHARD March 15, 1927 – Sept. 30, 2018

Patricia Richard of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and formerly of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away on September 30, 2018, at the age of 91, with her daughter Rochelle holding her hands. She wanted her daughter, Rochelle, to be with her when she passed away and she was.

Patricia was born in Fullerton, California, and was married to Jack R. Richard for 51 years. They raised four children, Rochelle Courtney (Jim), Julie Frosch (Ron), Randy and Ronnie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Monte and Dorothy Shanks, sister Loraine Lamkin, husband Read More

IRENE PAINE Sept. 13, 2019

Irene Paine, 90, and half years old passed away the morning of Friday, September 13, 2019 with her children by her side.

She called Espanola home. She was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to New Mexico when she was just 16.

Before moving to Los Alamos, NM, she was one of only a few children chosen to sing at the funeral of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

She left a full paid scholarship to the Julliard School of music when her father came to work as a glass blower for the Manhattan project. Upon graduation from High School, Irene worked at Bell Telephone Company at Ashley Pond. Read More

MICHAEL PAUL DUGAN Sept. 27, 1948 – Sept. 8, 2019

Michael Paul Dugan was born on September 27, 1948 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the second of what would become seven children of Paul and Colette Dugan.

The family eventually moved to Los Alamos and Mike became known as the one who could fix anything. He took great pleasure in helping family and friends with challenging fix-it projects, always with creative solutions.

Mike joined the U.S. Navy upon graduation from high school and served in Guam during the Vietnam Era.

Upon his return, he married Mary Waldschmidt. Mike and Mary settled in Los Alamos Read More

ROGER MINOT CLOUGH May 1, 1932 – Sept. 8, 2019

Roger Minot Clough, age 87 of Los Alamos, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

Roger was born May 1, 1932 in Meriden, Connecticut to Raymond and Katherine Helen (Malay) Clough. He graduated from Hicks Memorial School in Tolland, CT in 1950. 

He served in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Norfolk VA. (1950-1954), worked for Pratt & Whitney Corp. in Connecticut after release from the Navy in 1954, and then spent a few years as a house painter both New Mexico and then Maine. 

After a down-turn in the economy, he attended the University of Maine Read More

LORRAINE MONTOYA Sept. 7, 1948 – Sept. 9, 2019

Our beloved mother, Lorraine Montoya, 71, of Abiquiu, NM, passed away following a short illness on Monday, September 9, 2019 with her family by her side.

She was born to the late Napoleon and Josefita Martinez on September 7, 1948, in Abiquiu.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her sister Teodorita Garcia, her late husband Jose Ortega, and brother-in-law Gilbert Vigil.

She is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Hernando Montoya and her 4 children: Jose Ortega, Joyce Ortega-Tapia (John Tapia), Vangie Trujillo (Donald) and Josephine Ortega (David Read More

ADELINE (ADDY) F. REEVES Jan. 20, 1927 – Sept. 7, 2019

Adeline (Addy) F. Reeves passed away on September 7th in her home with family around her.

Addy was born in Oakdale, NE, on January 20th, 1927 to Herman and Lena Walters and was raised on their family farm with her four siblings. 

She graduated from Oakdale High School, hopped the train to Omaha with her older sister, Millie, got a room at a boarding house, and landed a job as a secretary. She soon met Frank, her husband of 62 years, who was a recent enlistee in the U.S. Navy. During their courtship Frank said, “for 2 cents I would Read More

MELANIE FUGATE Aug. 29, 2019

Melanie Fugate, 59, of Los Alamos passed away on August 29, 2019.

She is survived by her beloved daughter Lauren as well as her brothers Douglas and Byron Jakel, sisters-in-law Pattie and Michiko, nephew Connor, niece Mackenzie, friend and former husband Mike and friend and former mother-in-law Karene Elliott. Other friends include the Grimes and Riley families.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Melanie moved to Albuquerque where she graduated with distinction from the University of New Mexico with a BA in English & Philosophy. She also earned an AAS in Legal Assistant Read More

INEZ EVANGELINE CHRISTENSEN Nov. 1, 1925 – Sept. 2, 2019

Inez Evangeline Christensen passed from this life and entered the presence of her Savior Jesus on September 2, 2019 in Los Alamos, New Mexico.  Surrounded by her loving family, Inez received a body free of cancer and dimmed vision.

Inez was born in Antelope, Montana to Theodore Raymond Knutson and Inga Evanger Knutson on November 1, 1925 and grew up in rural North Dakota as the oldest of 16 children.  She graduated from Kenmare High School in North Dakota and went on to pursue a nursing career, which was cut short to marry her sweetheart Read More

FATHER ROBERT ANTHONY BUSCH, PH.D. April 3, 1962 – Aug. 27, 2019

Father Robert Anthony Busch, Ph.D., who served as Pastor of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Canyon, Texas and Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo, passed away August 27, 2019. He was 57 years old.

Vigil was celebrated at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Canyon. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, August 31, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Ann’s in Canyon with Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, presiding, with priests of the Diocese of Amarillo and other dioceses concelebrating. Burial was in Read More

GILBERT H. ARCHULETA, SR. Aug. 20, 2019

Gilbert H. Archuleta, Sr., 74, a resident of Servilleta, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leo; his mother, Ruth; brother, George L. Archuleta; sister, Gloria Alvarado; son, Anthony Archuleta; father-in-law, Joe A. Giron; and mother-in-law, Dulce Nea Giron.

He worked for years through Semi Service in Salt Lake City as a Diesel Mechanic. He moved to New Mexico, where he worked for Los Alamos Public Schools for 10 years, where he retired.

He enjoyed tending to his property and watering his yard. He loved hanging Read More