Obituaries

JOANNE MURPHEY PROGESS Feb. 11, 1939 – Feb. 14, 2025

Joanne Progess, 86, passed away peacefully at home with her loved ones around her comforting her, holding her and praying with her.

Mom was born in Corpus Christi and spent most of her life there raising her children and family with her husband of 37 years, Glenn Progess. Dad worked as a mechanical engineer in the oil field. With Dad’s work we all had the opportunity to travel overseas in the mid 80s which was a memorable experience for all. Like Mom, Dad had a tender heart and through trials and love, together they figured it out along the way.

Mom took Read More

STEVE CONLEY March 31, 1953 – Feb. 12, 2025

Steve Conley, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away Feb. 12, 2025, at the age of 71. Born March 31, 1953, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Steve moved with his family to Los Alamos, New Mexico when he was a young child. He was a proud graduate of Los Alamos High School, class of 1971. Steve married his best friend, Lynn, in 1999, and together they shared many adventures, creating a lifetime of memories.

Steve’s life was one of adventure, passion, and devotion to his family. An avid skier, he spent countless winter weekends at Pajarito Ski Hill, Read More

EMMA ‘BEVERLY’ KATCHER July 7, 1923 – Feb. 10, 2025

Emma passed away on February 10, 2025, peacefully at home with family. She was born on July 7, 1923, in Mora, NM. She was the 2nd oldest of 5 children, 4 girls and 1 boy.

Emma’s life started out during some tough times. Her family had lost both of her grandpas within a week due to the Spanish Flu pandemic and losing her father when she was only 7 years old. Her mother had to go find work in Santa Fe, NM to support her children and had to leave Emma and her siblings in the care of her grandma who also lived in Mora. While living with their grandma they attended school, Read More

JAMES ARTHUR HAUGEN March 9, 1942 – Feb. 1, 2025

James Haugen died Feb. 1, 2025, in Denver, CO after battling a long illness.

Jim was born March 9, 1942, in Alpena, SD to Arthur Haugen and Leona (Srstka) Haugen and grew up on farm homesteaded by his Norwegian grandfather Sivert Olsen Haugen.

He began his education in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated as the 1960 valedictorian of Wessington Springs, SD High School. He then attended the US Naval Academy where he was awarded the Foreign Wars Prize for Excellence in Mathematics upon graduation in 1964. While in the Navy, he completed his MSCE from the Read More

JERRY ALLEN VILLAREAL Feb. 28, 1946 – Feb. 11, 2025

Jerry Allen Villareal, beloved husband, uncle, educator, and legendary basketball coach, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Born on February 28, 1946, in Alcalde, New Mexico, Jerry made his home in Ojo Caliente, where his passion for community, teaching, and sports left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

On September 12, 1971, Jerry married the love of his life, Noline E. Villareal, sharing a beautiful partnership filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Read More

MARY KATHERINE DESGEORGES Nov. 25, 1930 – Feb. 7, 2025

Mary Katherine DesGeorges left this world Feb. 7, 2025, leaving behind a circle of family members who deeply feel the weight of her loss, and can attest to the impact of a life centered around family. She had a strong desire that her family stay bonded together with each generation.

She is survived by her loving husband, Joseph A. DesGeorges Jr. They were married for 68 years! Katherine was fiercely devoted to her family, including her 3 children and their spouses, 5 granddaughters, and two great-grandsons. She was faced with many challenges Read More

DAVID BROWN Feb. 2, 1938 – Feb. 10, 2025

David Brown was born to Gladys and David Brown on February 2, 1938, in Austin, Texas. Seven years later, Dave found his forever home in the picturesque mountains of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Growing up, Dave enjoyed riding in the rodeo and boxing, beating the Air Force Champion on his way to becoming the State and Golden Glove Champion.

Professionally, Dave was a union plumber pipe fitter by trade and later became a project manager. He had a hand in many of the buildings and homes that exist in Los Alamos today; a physical manifestation of how ingrained he was in the Read More

BARBARA LEE TEAGUE SEEGER
April 13, 1936 – Jan. 24, 2025

Longtime Los Alamos resident Barbara Lee Teague Seeger died peacefully in her home Jan. 24, 2025. She was 88 years old.

Barbara was born to Milton Teague and Ethel Warfield Teague of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, April 13, 1936. She loved animals, especially her horse Ginger. She attended Arkadelphia High School, where she was valedictorian and a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated in 1954. She then studied romance languages at Rice University, in Houston, Texas, where she graduated in 1958.

While in college, she went on Read More

WILLIAM ROBERTSON Jan. 28, 2025

William Robertson, beloved husband, father, friend, and passionate soul passed away Jan. 28, 2025, at the age of 62. His warmth, huge smile, humor, and unwavering love for the things that brought him joy will forever be remembered by those who knew him.

He graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 1988 with a degree in physics and went on to earn his master’s degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His career spanned decades of innovation and excellence, beginning at Kimberly-Clark, followed by KLA Corporation, and culminating Read More

BARBARA JEAN WILSON 1935 – Jan. 18, 2025

Barbara Jean Wilson, born 1935 on the Navajo Reservation near Gallup, NM, passed on January 18, 2025. 

Barbara’s parents brought her from Santa Fe to Los Alamos in March of 1943, where her father, George Hillhouse, was in charge of the meat department of the Manhattan Project Army Commissary. Her mother, Dorothy Hillhouse, became one of the early teachers at Central School.

Barbara graduated from the Los Alamos Public School system in 1952. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1956 and an M.A. in Elementary Psychology in 1957, both from Colorado Read More

ROBERT SLATER JOHNSTONE April 15, 1936 – Jan. 20, 2025

Robert Slater Johnstone, age 88, passed away peacefully in a board and care home in Menlo Park, California, Jan. 20, 2025, from dementia and complications of a brief illness. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, on April 15, 1936, to Donald and Jane McClure Johnstone, Robert settled in Palo Alto, California, in 1973. He is survived by his wife and partner of 45 years, Kristina Smith, and sons from a previous marriage to Sandra Martin, Michael and Alexander. Robert is also survived by siblings William, Donna, Barbara, Marjorie, and Richard. Read More

ANN ELIZABETH DALEY Aug. 6, 1946 – Jan. 28, 2025

Ann Elizabeth Daley passed away the morning of January 28 in Huntsville, AL. She was 78. She was kind, funny, smart and blessed all of those around her with her smile and laugh. She loved her friends and family, babies, nature, quilting, music, coffee, chocolate, wine, babies again and sitting on her back patio reading.

She was born in Malden, MA, earned her BA in English from Calvin Coolidge College in 1968 and married Robert Daley in Malden on April 4, 1970. They had 5 children, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Robert Jr., Kathryn and Victoria. In 1994 they Read More

MARILYN MILBURN ASBRIDGE Sept. 26, 1932 – Jan. 20, 2025

Marilyn Milburn Asbridge, 92, of Castle Pines, Colorado passed away Jan. 20, 2025.

Born Sept. 26, 1932, in Great Falls, Montana, Marilyn was the daughter of George and Dorothy Milburn. She is survived by her five children, Debbie, Karen, Mary, Gary, and Joe, seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Marilyn grew up on a remote ranch in Montana. Her formative years were full of ranch chores, raising animals as a member of Future Farmers of America, and becoming a proficient horsewoman.

In 1950, after graduating from Fergus High Read More

DAVID M. JONES ‘SPIKE’ Jan. 26, 2025

David M. Jones “Spike”, 78, a resident of Los Alamos New Mexico, passed away on January 26, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Spike graduated from Los Alamos High School and attended New Mexico State University (NMSU), where he was a member of the Aggie bowling team. He was also in the first graduating class to hold their graduation ceremony in the NMSU Pan American Center. Shortly after graduating from college, he reported for duty with the United States Army, initially serving with the 82nd Airborne and later becoming an Army Ranger, serving Read More

DON JACKSON 1932 – Jan. 27, 2025

Don Jackson passed away Friday, Jan. 27 at the age of 92. He was a loving father, friend, and husband. Don was a kind and gentle man who never met a stranger and always gave others the benefit of the doubt. He had a remarkable ability to see the bright side of everything and shared his positivity with those around him.

Don came from very humble beginnings. At one point, his family rented a single room in someone’s house. Don’s determination and hard work led him to become the first college graduate in his family, attending Colorado State University on a swimming Read More

MONICA ‘YVETTE’ ATKINSON Jan. 26, 2025

Monica “Yvette” Atkinson, age 60, a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away Jan. 26, 2025. She was a member of Los Alamos High School Class of 1982.

Yvette is survived by her children, Nina Pacheco and partner Johnny Shouppe, Serena Guerrero and wife Denisse, Angelica Pulido, Isaiah Arnink; grandchildren, Jasmine, Jaide, Taliya, Kahlo, Kortez, Destiney, Mars, Neptune and Padme’; siblings, Denise Smith and husband, Mark and Ken Atkinson and wife, Debbie; several nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Services for Yvette are pending.  Read More

MIRIAM ‘SINGIE’ CLYDE IRVINE WILLIAMS

Miriam “Singie” Clyde Irvine Williams, passed away Jan. 10, 2025, in White Rock, New Mexico, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law. She was 90 years old.

The youngest of three daughters of U.S. Army Colonel William Harris Irvine and Miriam Perkins Irvine, Singie spent much of her childhood in Pacific Grove, California. She graduated from Pacific Grove High School and pursued higher education at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Washington, earning an associate degree.

In 1954, Singie met and married Douglas Avery Williams Read More

LORETTA GARCIA LEAL Aug. 25, 1957 – Jan. 17, 2025

Loretta Garcia Leal died peacefully at home with her devoted husband by her side Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

Loretta was born Aug. 25, 1957 to Manuel and Marie Garcia in Española, New Mexico (NM). Loretta was the fifth of six children. As the child of business owners, she learned the value of hard work at a young age.

She was a member of the last graduating class of the Española High School Hornets, where she was class president. After graduation, Loretta attended New Mexico State University, where she studied computer science.

Upon completing her bachelor’s Read More

PAULETTE “PAULA” MAE BEITZ
Aug. 12, 1945 – Jan. 19, 2025

Paulette “Paula” Mae Beitz, 79, of Espanola, NM, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children, husband and two best friends, Jan. 19, 2025.

Paula was born Aug. 12, 1945, in Paris, OH. At the age of 12, her parents moved to Las Vegas, NM. She was preceded in death by her father, William Plank, and her mother, Rachel Kaiser.

A lifelong learner, Paula graduated from cosmetology school in her early twenties. However, she only worked in the field for a brief period. She spent the majority of the first part of her working Read More

EVELYN ‘EV’ PEARL GRIGGS March 19, 1940 – Jan. 21, 2025

Evelyn “Ev” Pearl Griggs, age 84, formerly of Los Alamos, NM, died at Valley Terrace in Wilder, VT Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.

Ev was born March 19, 1940, in Detroit, MI and moved with her family to Las Vegas, NV, when she was seven. She graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with her bachelor’s degree in journalism. She returned to Las Vegas to work at the National Laboratory where she met James Edwin Griggs on the employee bus to the test site. They were married Feb. 18, 1965, in Las Vegas and shortly after moved to Los Alamos, NM, where they Read More

CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS SMITH June 11, 1969 – Jan. 20, 2025

Christopher Hastings Smith, born June 11, 1969, in West Lafayette, Indiana, passed away at home in Los Alamos, New Mexico Jan. 20, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father and community member whose life was marked by dedication and love.

Chris dedicated his career to working as a Computer Systems Professional for ICE-CS-M365 at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he worked for 25 years. He was known for his dependability, expertise, and commitment to excellence. His colleagues admired his work ethic and dedication to every project Read More

ELLEN BOUCK KUHN Feb. 25, 1931 – Jan. 19, 2025

Ellen Bouck Kuhn was born Ellen Christine Bouck in Albany, New York Feb. 25, 1931.

She grew up in Schoharie, New York, and had one sibling eleven years her senior. Her brother Elliott Fraser Bouck was a pilot in WWII, and lived to be 99 years old. When she was 17, she went to Purdue University and met her husband of 64 years, Edward Fredrick Kuhn, Jr.

After graduating from Purdue, they lived in Plainfield, New Jersey, where Ellen taught preschool until she was expecting her third child in three years. Ellen became a homemaker, taking care of her three Read More

MARGARET GILSTRAP BLEWETT Sept. 7, 1932 – Jan. 9, 2025

Margaret Gilstrap Blewett passed away peacefully at the age of 92 Jan. 9 in her Albuquerque home surrounded by family.

Margaret was born Sept. 7, 1932, to Frederic and Adaline Gilstrap in Denver Colorado. The family moved to Albuquerque in 1934 where they resided for many years in “El Adobe de los Arboles” on the northeast corner of Rio Grande Blvd. and Indian School Road.

Margaret graduated from Albuquerque High School in1950 and went to Vassar College where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 1954. Her love for Read More

CAROLE MARIE (FAUST) HALLADAY Jan. 4, 2025

Carole Marie (Faust) Halladay passed away suddenly on January 4, 2025, at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was 77 years old. Carole was born and raised in Pennsylvania, spending her early years in Coatesville, PA, where she graduated from Scott High School in 1965. During high school, she participated in the glee club and softball and was well-liked by many of her classmates.

After high school, Carole briefly studied at Drexel University in Philadelphia before marrying Brian Halladay in 1971. After the birth of their son, John, the family Read More

PATRICIA C. DOMBROWSKI Nov. 5, 1932 – Dec. 16, 2024

Patricia Catherine was born to Anthony and Susan Rimkunas on November 5, 1932, at home in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Pat died in Los Alamos, New Mexico, on December 16, 2024, at the age of 92.

She was the second of four siblings. She grew up in a large extended family where 28 aunts and uncles and over 40 cousins were within walking distance of each other. The big bands of the 1940s stopped at Bridgeport on their way in and out of NYC, and she danced to them all.

Pat married her high school sweetheart Ed Dombrowski after his service with the Marine Corps. They Read More

CELIA CAROLINA ULIBARRI March 24, 1934 – Jan. 9, 2025

Celia Carolina Ulibarri, beloved mother of ten, was born March 24, 1934.

Jan. 9, 2025, while resting peacefully in her residence and surrounded by her children, God called Celia to her eternal home.

Born and raised in Youngsville, NM, Celia was the youngest of eight siblings. After completing the 8th grade, she moved to Los Alamos to live with her sister and brother-in-law, where she was able to attend Los Alamos High School, graduating in June 1951.

Celia earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of New Mexico in 1955. That Read More

EZEQUIELA “QUEQUI” SIERRA Dec. 31, 2024

Ezequiela “Quequi” Sierra, 86, of White Rock, NM, formerly of Jacksonville, FL, passed away peacefully Dec. 31, 2024. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she was preceded in death by her parents, Candida Rosa Rosario and Carlos Encarnacion, and her beloved husband of 52 years, Pedro A. Sierra. She was the eldest of six siblings.

Quequi was a devoted military wife and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She had a passion for cooking and sewing, and her greatest joy came from spending time with family and friends. Her unwavering Read More

LINDA KATHLEEN LUNSFORD (LYNCH) June 16, 1948 – Dec. 30, 2024

Linda Kathleen Lunsford (Lynch), 76, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024. Taken too soon as she had so many things still planned with her family and friends. The world unexpectedly lost one of the most beautiful, kindest and loving souls to ever grace this world.

Linda was born on June 16, 1948, in Washington, D.C. to parents Walter and Mary Lynch (Theis) as a second child to an older brother, Steve and younger step-sister, Katie. As a child she was energetic and loved her dog, Queenie. Spending time with her favorite Swedish Aunt, Read More

DAVID GONZALES March 2, 1959 – Dec. 16, 2024

David Gonzales, resident of Chamita, NM, was born on March 2, 1959 in Colorado. He was embraced by the Lord and entered eternal peace on December 16, 2024.

In loving memory of David who was a beloved father, brother, son and friend.

He is preceded in death by his sons, Ivan Richard Gonzales and David Lalo Gonzales: parents, George Gonzales and Mary Baca.

Mr. Gonzales is survived by his children DaVida, Sheila, Virginia, Martine, Sabrina and Elijah Gonzales, Marcos Wixon and Mary and Michelle Gutierrez; grandchildren Beckham, Autumn, Jordan, Kylie, Read More

MARIE A. TODD Feb. 26, 1929 – Jan. 6, 2025

It’s with heavy hearts that the family of Marie (Maria) A. Todd announce her passing. She left this world peacefully late Monday evening, January 6 in her home in White Rock, N.M. She was 95 years old. The first of eight children, Marie was born on February 26, 1929, to Pablo and Alice Saiz in Estancia, NM. 

She spent her early years in Estancia before moving to Albuquerque where she attended business school. There she would work multiple jobs at the same time including working for the Alvarado Hotel. During this period in her life, she met her future husband Billy. Read More

JANICE YOUNG PARKER Feb. 2, 1933 – Jan. 2, 2025

Janice Young Parker died quietly and peacefully at her home in Springville, Utah on January 2, 2025 with her husband and a daughter at her side. Having been born in Richfield, Utah of godly parents (Leland Archibald Young and his wife Grace Sophia Olson) on February 2, 1933 she was 91 and 11/12 years old.

She grew up in a close family, the fourth of six children. Life, however, was not without problems. She was born without a soft palate which gave difficulties in both breathing and speaking. There were years of struggle, of treatment, of lessons and finally Read More

SHARON LEA WEIR HURDLE Oct. 4, 1946 – Dec. 23, 2024

Sharon Lea Weir Hurdle, age 78, Tupelo, MS, went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Dec. 23, 2024. She died at home following a battle with stage 4 colon cancer that had spread throughout her body.

Sharon was born Oct. 4, 1946 in Denver, Colorado, to Donald and Helen Weir then spent her formative years in Wichita Falls, TX where her father was in the Air Force at Sheppard AFB. She was the oldest of four.

After graduating from Hirschi High School in 1964, she was married in 1965 and had two daughters, Kimberly and Sheri, then eventually moved to Los Read More

THOMAS NICHOLSON ELDER July 13, 1936 – Dec. 13, 2024

Thomas Nicholson Elder died at 88 years old on December 13, 2024, in Taos, NM. Tom was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Guy and Gay (Toombs) Elder, on July 13, 1936. He was the first of four boys.

The family moved to Los Alamos in 1945 when Guy Elder was hired by the Zia Company to run the steam plant for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Tom grew up exploring the canyons and mountains with his many friends in the community. At Los Alamos High School he participated in track, swimming and football.

He graduated in 1955 and joined the U.S. Army. There Read More

TRAVIS EDWIN SJOSTROM Jan. 1, 1979 – Jan. 2, 2025

Our beloved Travis passed away on January 2, 2025. He was born in Ogden, Utah. He graduated from University of Utah with a BS in mathematics and a PHD in theoretical physics 2008. He did what he loved and enjoyed a rich career in physics.

He happily married in 2017 to Miriam Wingate. He had a beautiful son in 2018. He loved to travel and has visited many countries.

He is survived by Miriam wife, Edwin son, Gaylyne and Scott Shaw mother and father, brothers Kelly, Jared, Shay, Jason, Cody.

Private family services will be held in Los Alamos, NM and Logan, UT. Read More

CAROL H. ESTES Dec. 31, 2024

Carol H. Estes completed her life journey after a lengthy illness on December 31, 2024 with her beloved husband, Guy P. Estes, and her comfort cat Charolotte at her side.

Carol, the second of four children, was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Edward John and Eleanor Marie Herron. Her sisters and brother included Kathleen, Diane and Thomas. Family was extremely important to Carol, and she treasured them all.

In addition to Guy, she is survived by Kathleen Patalon and her family Willliam III, Robin, Joey, and Kathy Ann Barwick, of Maryland; Carol Ann Ruffing  and daughters Read More