South Fork, Colo., resident Karen Rose Gere, 78, passed away on Dec. 21, 2023, at the Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte surrounded by her loving family.

A man of stubborn wit, Richard B. Quintana, 67, gave his last testament of defiance against the holiday spirit as he passed on Dec. 24, 2023.

On Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, Lois Dillon, loving mother and matriarch passed away at the age of 97.

Del Norte resident Darlene Carnicia Bandy, 86, passed away on Dec. 24, 2023, at the Rio Grande Hospital with her loving daughter by her side.

Alta B. Berkstresser, 89, passed away on Dec. 24, 2023. Born in Lindsay, Neb., on April 19, 1934, Alta studied to be a nurse in Sioux City, Iowa, where she met and married George W. Berkstresser. Alta and George moved to Sargent, Colo., in 1964 where they raised their family and built an extensive community over the years.

Life-long Monte Vista resident Janys R. Jones, 91, passed away on Dec. 1, 2023, at River Valley Rehabilitation Center in Del Norte, Colo. Janys was born during a very stormy night on Jefferson Street on Jan. 28, 1932, to Harold and Cody Schall. She grew up on 222 Davis St. and graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1950. She married Clyde Jones on April 9, 1951, in Monte Vista, Colo., and raised six children at their family home on Highway 160.

DEL NORTE — Our loving son and father, Joseph Stevens Murrelle, 31, born March 23, 1992, in Vail, Colo., passed away on Dec. 10, 2023, at his childhood home in Del Norte, Colo.

Monte Vista resident Sharon Adams, 70, passed away peacefully at her home on Nov. 23, 2023.

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of Sandra Lucylle Hosselkus Kroll (Sandy). Sandy passed away on Nov. 16, 2023, at the Del Norte Hospital. She was born on May 18, 19?? in Del Norte. She spent her life in Creede and the Creede community meant the world to her.

Longtime Monte Vista resident Willard G. Martin passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at the Colorado State Veterans Center Nursing Home at the age of almost 99 years old.

The family of William (Bill) Alan Pearsall of Monte Vista, Colo., is saddened to announce his passing on Oct. 3, 2023, at the age of 64. Bill was born Dec. 1, 1958, in Monte Vista, Colo., and baptized in Rock Creek.

Longtime Monte Vista resident Mary A. Martinez, 100, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

LA JARA — Distinguished and longtime La Jara resident Mr. Clinton “C.G.” Betenbough, 101, passed away on Nov. 3, 2023. in La Jara.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a beloved man, Jerry Claude Beeson. Born in Clinton, Okla., on July 24, 1945, he left an indelible mark on the world around him. A true son of the Sooner State, he embodied the spirit of excellence from an early age, shining as an all-star athlete in his youth.

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and friend to many. Cipriano “Sepe” Jose Pacheco, 85, passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Glenn Burnham of Lewiston, Utah, formerly of Monte Vista, Colorado, and a Native of the San Luis Valley, died on Sunday, October 22, 2023, in Logan, Utah.

Steven Gregory Martinez was born Feb. 9, 1970, in Monte Vista, Colo, and passed away into the Lord’s care, at the age of 53, surrounded by his family and friends who he loved so much on the morning of Oct. 24 just after 1 a.m.

Longtime resident Marvin Lee Davis, 89, passed away on Oct. 19, 2023, at the Parkview Hospital in Pueblo, Colo.

Alfred Theodore Schaak, Sr., passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 19, 2023, at the age of 95. He was surrounded by love from his family.

Don Wagnon, loving son, brother and spouse, fought a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, passing away at the age of 75. Born in Texas, Don was the son of Manford and Mary Louise Wagnon and brother of Susan Clage