Obituaries

Jan 15, 2026

Lola Janell Gist was born October 23, 1938, in Seminole, Oklahoma and passed away January 2, 2026. She was the third child born to Henry and Edythe Gist. The family moved to Baca County in 1945 when her dad began ranching on the Alley Ranch with his cousin Romaine Alley. She attended Mitchell School for her elementary education and transferred...

Jan 15, 2026

William Barry Eaton (Bill), born on December 13, 1943, in Springfield, CO, peacefully passed away on January 15, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was the son of Cyrus and Juanita Eaton and had two sisters, Hazel and Joyce, and one brother, Kenny.

In 1946 the Eaton family relocated from Leadville to Walsh, where Bill’s early years were filled with memories...

Jan 14, 2026

Jack Lynn Wright, 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 14, 2026, at 6:06 p.m. in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born on September 15, 1940, in Plano, Texas, Jack arrived in the world with grit, stubbornness, and a fierce independence that stayed with him all his life. 

Jack was born to R.F. “Red” Wright and Marquerite (Wright) Partain and grew...

Jan 2, 2026

Lola Janell Gist was born October 23, 1938, in Seminole, Oklahoma and passed away January 2, 2026. She was the third child born to Henry and Edythe Gist. The family moved to Baca County in 1945 when her dad began ranching on the Alley Ranch with his cousin Romaine Alley. She attended Mitchell School for her elementary education and transferred...

Dec 27, 2025

Carlos Rangel III age 77 of Walsh Colorado died Saturday December 27th in Lamar Colorado. He was born on December 4, 1948, in Laredo, Texas to Celsa Idrogo Martinez and Roman Martinez.

Carlos was a devoted Son, Brother, Nephew, Dad, Grandpa, Father-in-law, Uncle and friend. He left behind family and friends who will cherish his memory. Carlos...

Nov 30, 2025

Romaine (Hanes) Alley, lovingly known as Granny to all who knew her, was born August 12, 1935, in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, to Roy B. Hanes and Ruby Lee (Gist) Hanes. Romaine grew up on the family farm, the third of four children and the only girl. She quickly learned that hard work and perseverance were ways of life in...

Nov 25, 2025

Linda K. (Wellman) Lewis, 78, passed away on November 25th at her home in Arvada, Colorado. Linda grew up in Walsh, Colorado, the only child of Elma (Trahern) and Clifford Wellman. She graduated from Walsh High School with the Class of 1965. She attended Southern Colorado State College before transferring to the University of Colorado Boulder, where she played...

Oct 14, 2025

Celebrating an ancient and beautiful soul. As our hearts are infinitely broken, we take this time to give everyone who did not know her, the obligatory obituary for our shining light, Lena.

Lena Suzanne Dukes entered this world with vengeance on June 13, 1976. Being rushed to the ICU in Shreveport, Louisiana. Born full term, Mom said...

Sep 25, 2025

Kathryn "Michele" Courkamp (née James), 56, passed away on September 25 in Denver, Colorado. Born September 26, 1968, in Guymon, Oklahoma, Michele spent her early childhood in Boise City before her family moved to their farm south of Walsh, Colorado, in 1970. She graduated from Walsh High School and went on to live a life defined by generosity, kindness,...

Sep 20, 2025

William "Bill" Eugene Layton passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025.  He was born on February 15, 1944, in Lamar, Colorado, to Jack and Velma Layton.  He graduated from Walsh High in 1962.  He studied at Pueblo Community College for a year and a half then joined the Army and served in Vietnam for two years.  Upon returning...

Sep 19, 2025

Charles Michael Chenoweth was born March 19th 1953, in Lamar Colorado, to Marion & Margaret (Quick) Chenoweth. He was the first of two children.

Chuck was joined by his baby sister Mary Ann in December of 1955. The two grew up in the family home that Marion built, creating countless memories together. Mary fondly recalls many camping...

Sep 17, 2025

Danny Wayne Wright, born on February 10, 1974, in Canyon, Texas, to Marla and Steve Wright, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and deep connection.

Danny was the firstborn of three children and shared a close bond with his younger siblings, Amanda and Chris. As a baby, he felt especially close to his mom,...

Sep 13, 2025

Zorildia "Zipper" Lorraine Layton, 77, passed away peacefully in her home in Johnson, Kansas on Saturday, September 13, 2025.  She was born on July 20, 1948, in La Junta, Colorado to Paul and Bobbie Brinkley.  She attended Springfield High School and was a longtime resident of Baca County, but spent the last 35 years in Johnson, Kansas.  She had...

Jul 31, 2025

Clara Nell Cottrell passed away July 31, 2025, in Pueblo, Colorado.  She was born June 18, 1934, in Stonington, Colorado to Edward and Helen Hey.  She was the fourth of eight children.

Nell married Gilbert Cottrell in Clayton, New Mexico in 1955.  They welcomed a son, Gerald, in 1956, in Lamar, Colorado, and then a daughter, Lanell...

Jul 8, 2025

Judy Lynn (Shackelford) Harper February 4, 1948 – July 8, 2025

Judy Lynn (Shackelford) Harper, a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2025, at the age of 77. Known affectionately as "Grandma" to those closest to her, Judy was born on February 4, 1948, in Hale Center, Texas, to Howard...

Jul 6, 2025

Jose Martin Zarazua Cabreras was born in Carbajal San Jose Iturbide de Guanaiuato Mexico on April 30, 1963, to Gildardo Zarazua and Teresa Cabreras.

Jose passed away July 6, 2025, in Pueblo, Colorado at the age of 62.

He is survived by his wife, Margarita of Walsh; four brothers and three sisters.

Jun 24, 2025

Kevin Neil Hefley was born January 27, 1973 during a blinding snow storm in Walsh, Colorado.  He passed from this life June 24, 2025 on a county road near Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.  Kevin was definitely an outdoorsman. He trained colts and worked with cattle as much as his time off from crop dusting would allow.  Growing up, his school...

Jun 20, 2025

Justin Jerald "Jay" Busick passed away on June 20, 2025, in Hitachi Omiya-shi, Ibaraki-ken, Japan. He was just three days shy of his 44th birthday. Born on June 23, 1981, in Aurora, Colorado, Justin lived a life shaped by passion—for music, for teaching, and for the culture he came to embrace as his own. A graduate of Denver South...

Jun 18, 2025

Kathryn Fay (Karn) Grahn, a life-long resident of Prowers County, passed into her heavenly home on June 18, 2025, at the age of 95.  Kathryn was born on September 13, 1929, in Kaw City, Oklahoma, to Lewis and Wilma (Harding) Karn.  She spent the majority of her childhood and adult life on or near the family ranch which her...

Jun 12, 2025

Leon Harvey Kerr was born on August 6, 1935, on a small farm south of Walsh, Colorado to Louis Harvey and Nannie Sue (Massey) Kerr. This was during the "Dust Bowl" years.  Shortly after Leon's birth his dad and mom decided to move to LaJunta, Colorado because they were afraid of dust pneumonia and did not want Leon to...