Obituaries

ANN BRANDENBERGER May 5, 2017

Ann Brandenberger of Los Alamos, New Mexico passed away peacefully in her sleep at Saint Vincent hospital May 5, 2017 due to complications from a severe infection. She had been residing in the Santa Fe Care Center nursing home since February 2017.

Mrs. Brandenberger was born in Brownsville, Texas in 1938 and spent her childhood in San Angelo, Texas. Her parents were Jack Henry Morris and Billie Gresham-Morris. She had a degree in mathematics from the University of Texas and obtained her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Read More

LAUREN HULL MACDONALD Nov. 28, 1950 – May 7, 2017

Lauren Hull MacDonald (aka, Lauren Hull Earles) was born November 28, 1950 in Los Alamos, New Mexico. On May 07, 2017, after a long, courageous and valiant battle with breast cancer, Lauren departed on her next journey. While only she and the afterlife know the specifics of her new path, most of the living say, “it is a better place, a place where she is comfortable, and a place where she is welcome.”

Lauren’s journey on earth began and ended in Los Alamos. Along the way she explored and lived life fully, made many folks laugh, and always helped those Read More

ROGER L. RASMUSSEN May 4, 2017

Roger L. Rasmussen, 96, died at home in Los Alamos on May 4, 2017. His daughter Beth, Fr. Glenn Jones, and neighbor and family friend Deidra Remde were at his side. He was the loving husband of Jane Keller Rasmussen, whom he met while she was serving in the Women’s Army Corps in Los Alamos. They married in Santa Fe in 1945; she preceded him in death in 2007 after a loving marriage of 62 years. 

Roger is survived by his son Gregory (Trudy) Rasmussen of Grand Blanc, Michigan; daughter Beth (Mark) Bonner of Naples, Florida; granddaughter Jennifer (J.P.) Buckingham and Read More

JOHN LANGDON RAND May 2, 2017

John Langdon Rand, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. John was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, last May, following 63 years of marriage.

Born in Detroit, Michigan to John and Leona Rand, John was raised in eastern Oregon and thereafter retained life-long ties to family and friends in the northwest. He is survived by his 6 children: John (Brenda), Mark (Carolyn), Greg (Christine), Amy (Don), Dan (Remi), Joe (Carminda); 15 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. 

At 17 years old, John volunteered for the Navy during WWII. He served in the Philippines Read More

JANE GERHEART June 28, 1940 – April 18, 2017

Jane Gerheart (June 28, 1940), a longtime resident of Los Alamos, passed away on April 18, 2017 after battling pancreatic cancer for nine months. She is survived by her husband Don of over 52 years, a daughter, Ann and son, Chuck & daughter-in-law, Chris & a sister, Nancy Chase from Laramie, WY.

Jane taught band in the Los Alamos Public Schools from 1986 to 2005. Her middle school bands qualified for the New Mexico Activities Association State Band Contests in 2003 and 2005. Both times they received the first-place trophy in the middle school classification. Read More

RICHARD P. COOK March 25, 1926 – April 17, 2017

Richard P. Cook, 91, a lifelong resident of Española, passed away peacefully at his home on April 17, 2017 surrounded by his loved ones. 

Richard was born in Española, New Mexico on March 25, 1926 to Windell P. Cook, a businessman and Sarah A. Acherman, a school teacher. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1943. After high school, he was inducted into the U.S. Navel Service in 1944. He served in the Navy in the Asiatic Pacific Arena during World War II. He was a trained “frogman” that served as the predecessors to the Navy Seals. After he Read More

ELIZABETH “BETTY” HANSBURY March 15, 1925 – April 12, 2017

Elizabeth “Betty” Hansbury, 92, was born March 15, 1925, died as she wanted, at her home on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. 

Betty was preceded in death by her parents. Betty, an only child, was born in Las Vegas, NM to Arthur H. and Dorothy W. Hansbury. She graduated from Las Vegas High School, where she enjoyed sports including skiing, hiking, tennis, basketball, baseball and softball. She graduated from the University of Colorado, she received her master’s degree from New Mexico Highlands University, and did post graduate work at Read More

DENIS CHARLES DUFFY Jr. July 10, 1939 – April 10, 2017

Denis Charles Duffy, Jr. of Colleyville, Texas died peacefully at 6PM on Monday, April 10, 2017 at the age of 77.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 Wildwood Lane, Grapevine, Texas with Father Martinez and Father George celebrating Mass. The family will receive friends at Foust Funeral Home in Grapevine 523 South Main Street between 6 and 8 PM Monday evening April 17, 2017.

Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, in Santa Fe New Mexico on Friday April 21, 2017 Read More

WILLIAM C. DAVIS Dec. 22, 1925 – April 5, 2017

William C. Davis, 91, of Los Alamos died April 5, 2017. Bill was born in Manchester, New Hampshire on December 22, 1925, to Chester T.C. Davis and Eleanor Scamman Davis. He attended the public schools, and enlisted in the wartime United States Navy the week he graduated from high school in 1943. His service took him to the rank of RT1c, and the Asiatic Pacific ribbon with two stars and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with one star.

After the war he attended Tufts College and received the degree Bachelor of Science in Engineering summa cum laude. Read More

DEBBIE K. HAGERMANN April 1, 2017

Debbie K. Hagermann, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 1st, 2017.

Debbie was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas where she met Gary Hagermann. Debbie was just 14 years old when she and Gary began a relationship that would lead to a marriage that lasted for nearly 34 years.

Debbie was an outgoing woman so full of life. She enjoyed camping and fishing with her family and never hesitated at the chance to “get away”. 

Debbie never complained about the places that Gary’s job took them. Married and rushed off to Florida when Gary first Read More

JOYCE ANN HARVEY March 28, 2017

Former Los Alamos resident Joyce Ann Harvey passed on peacefully in her sleep on March 28th at Cottonwood Village, in Cottonwood. She was 86 years old.

She and her husband Ray, who proceeded her in death in 2013, worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory and retired to Camp Verde in 1989, and were both deeply involved in community activities there.

Joyce was an avid reader of mysteries and spent many happy hours on her computer corresponding with friends near and far.

She coached other seniors in computer use, and created several databases for local organizations. Read More

MATTIE EARL WHITSON SQUIRES Jan. 15, 1926 – March 23, 2017

Mattie Earl Whitson Squires was born on January 15, 1926, in Achille, Oklahoma and grew up in New Mexico and West Texas. She passed away on March 23, 2017, in Los Alamos, New Mexico at the age of 91.

In 1946, Mattie Earl married Billy Warren Squires in Littlefield, Texas. After residing in Arvada, Colorado for over 50 years, Mattie Earl retired to Pueblo, Colorado in 2003. She then moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 2015.

She was very proud of her career working for the federal government in Washington, D. C., Lubbock, Texas and Denver, Read More

DORIS JEAN (GRAHAM) PATTILLO March 15, 2017 – July 11,1926

Doris Jean (Graham) Pattillo died on March 15, 2017 following a brief illness. She was born July 11,1926 in McKinney,TX. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James Albert Pattillo II (Greenville,TX), who died in Los Alamos on July 31, 2003.

She is survived by her two sons: James A. Pattillo III (Toledo,OH) and Stevan G. Pattillo (Jemez Springs,NM), grand children: Heather J. Pattillo (Portland,OR), Jessica L. Pattillo (Portland,OR), Margaret Z. Pattillo (New York City,New York). great-grand children: Forrest Read More

MARY C. BROOKS Jan. 9, 1926 – March 19, 2017

“Someone Special”

Mary C. Brooks, age 91 of Los Alamos, NM died March 19th at Palmilla Senior Center Living in Albuquerque, NM of natural causes.

Mary was born on January 09, 1926 to Norman and Ruth Carls of Allegany, NY. After graduating from Allegany High School and acing her chemistry regents, she attended Syracuse University and majored in Chemical Engineering.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1948 and met her soon to be husband Thomas Brooks. They were married at Hendricks Chapel on the campus of Syracuse University. Read More

MELISSA GAY (WIENKE) MORRISON Feb. 18, 1948 – March 16, 2017

Melissa Gay (Wienke) Morrison, a resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away after battling many health problems on March 16, 2017. She was born on February 18, 1948 to Bonnie Jean and Ernest Henry Louis Wienke, Jr. 

She grew up in Homer, Illinois and graduated from Homer High School. Melissa went on to graduate from Patricia Stevens College in St. Louis, Missouri, before working at University Ford in Champagne, Illinois. She married John Morrison on June 14, 1969 and then moved to Minneapolis for a brief stay before moving on Read More

WILFRED GUTIERREZ Sept. 15, 1934 – March 10, 2017

Wilfred Gutierrez was born to Eufrosina Gutierrez on September 15, 1934, in Velarde, NM. At age 82, he died peacefully at his home in Velarde on March 10, 2017.

A 1953 graduate of Espanola High School, he later served in the US Army for three years where he was honorably discharged and returned home to a 35-year career at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 1960, he married Cleo Herrera of El Rancho and together, they raised five children.

Beyond his love of God and for his family, Wilfred’s passions were his apple orchard and working tirelessly to protect Read More

BILLY GRAHAM GAMBLE Oct. 31, 1925 – March 8, 2017

Billy Graham Gamble was born to Mary Elizabeth Tidrick Gamble and Russell Gamble in Winterset, Iowa October 31, 1925. He died March 8, 2017 in Espanola, New Mexico, with family by his side.

Billy was 91 years young, and lived a full and adventuresome life. The youngest of four boys, Billy was the explorer of the family. This beginning led to being a Boy Scout Leader when his son was in Scouting, to opening a museum in Aguilar, Colorado in his later years. Billy lived in the back of this museum, an old J.C. Penny building, and delighted in sharing his lifelong Read More

JoAnn DeLuzio Marts Jan. 15, 2017

JoAnn DeLuzio Marts, a long time resident of Arvada and Greeley, Colo., passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Grace Point Living Facility. She will be missed by her family and many friends.

Born in 1929 in Denver, Colo., JoAnn worked as a secretary for the FBI and Los Alamos National Laboratory. She also taught piano, sang in St. Mary’s Catholic Church choir, and was active in oblate life at the Abbey of St. Walburga for many years. Throughout the years, she was involved in numerous music-oriented groups, as well as church and Read More

CLYDE ROACH March 4, 2017

Clyde Roach, 91, a long-time and respected resident of White Rock passed away on March 4, 2017, of natural causes at Los Alamos Medical Center.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Ann Roach, and daughters Beverly Mattson, Pam Mackey, and Sara Evans. Clyde was well-known in the area as a concrete contractor and home builder. He enjoyed going fishing and boating, was an avid reader, and baseball fan. He became appreciated for sharing homemade peanut brittle and chocolate chip cookies. He was a great storyteller who delighted in humorous embellishments.

Clyde Read More

Charles Frank Hammer Jan. 29, 1930 – March 6, 2017

Charles Frank Hammer, age 87, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, passed away after a short illness on Monday, March 6, 2017.

Charles was born to Frank and Katrina (Didicher) Hammer in Crestline, Ohio on January 29, 1930. After finishing High School he served his country in the Korean conflict.

While stationed in Washington, D.C. he met his life partner and love of his life Harriet Mallette. They married on July 31, 1954 in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

He studied at Ashland College and New Mexico State University and earned a BS in Electrical Engineering. Read More

DOROTHY BATES Feb. 17, 1930 – Feb. 24, 2017

Dorothy was born February, 17, 1930 in Syracuse, Kansas to William and Henrietta Dunn.

She married Robert H. Bates in 1952 and together they had six children. Dorothy loved to cook, sew, needlepoint, do crafts and was an avid reader.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, brother Roy Dunn, sister Eileen O’Kane, son Scott and son-in-law Michael French. She is survived by her brother Robert (Bernice) and children Susan, David (Linda), Debra (John), Steven (Shirley), Dennis (Murray), grandchildren RaeAnn (Kenneth) Hunnicut, Jason Read More

BETTY W. PETERSON March 26, 1930 – Feb. 26, 2017

Betty Peterson, loving mother, sister, grand- and great-grandmother passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family after a long illness.

Betty was born on March 26, 1930 in Nocona, Texas and moved with her family to Los Alamos in 1944 to work on the Manhattan Project. Betty spent time between riding horses, ice skating and attending Central School, graduating in 1948 before attending Texas A&M College.

After returning to Los Alamos, beloved horse in tow, she was briefly married and had a son, Ken. In 1960 she married Harry Waugh, a Mechanical Read More

DONALD F. CAMERON Jan. 17, 2017

Donald F. Cameron, age 85 a resident of Los Alamos passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. He was preceded in death by his son, David Cameron; brother, Barry; Parents, Federick and Mae Cameron; Uncle, Harold Cameron.

He was commissioner of the Boy Scouts of New Mexico, he was a cyclist and a proud member of the Ski Patrol. He worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 18 years, and worked on the Rover Project at the Nevada Test Site. He had a sense of humor that will always be missed.

He is survived by his children, Beth Bowman (Dave); Ruth Cameron; grandchildren, Vanessa Read More

EDNA MARIE SUTTON Feb. 7, 2017

Edna Marie Sutton passed away on February 7, 2017 of an unexpected illness.

Marie was a loving and devoted Military wife to her surviving husband Terry Dean Sutton of 56 years. Her two daughters are Lisa Scott and Sherri Knapp. Marie also leaves behind her four loving grandchildren, Jay Scott, Kristina Little, Sara Scott and Sabrina Little.

Marie was the baby of 11 children born in Hampton, Georgia. Her remaining sisters are Ann Gasses, Jean Daniels, Norma Westmoreland, Dot Henderson and Margaret Stephens.

Edna Marie will be greatly missed from all of us. She was Read More