Obituaries

ANN MARIE TOWNSEND WALLACE Jan. 18, 2021

Ann Marie Townsend Wallace passed to her Heavenly Father on January 18, 2021.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry Wallace, former Group Leader at the Meson Physics Facility.

She is survived by her three children, Kerry Wallace of Pavillion, Wyoming, Joni Wallace of Tucson, Arizona, David Wallace of Saratoga, Wyoming, and seven grandchildren. 

Ann was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. An accomplished musician, she taught piano in Los Alamos for many years, later changing her career to nursing. 

She subsequently Read More

GAIL VICTORIA (WILSON) LONDON Dec. 18, 1946 – Jan. 28, 2021

Gail Victoria (Wilson) London, 74, returned to her heavenly home on January 28, 2021.

Her turn on earth began on December 18, 1946 in Portland, Ore., as the eldest of six children of Dean and Elva Wilson. She grew up in Los Alamos, NM where she met and married Ralph London in 1965 and soon settled in Albuquerque to raise their five children.

A devoted member of the LDS church for 40+ years, Gail lived her faith and dedicated her life to the service of others. She touched many lives through her frequent quiet acts of generosity and genuine love of Read More

KASEY CRAWFORD Sept. 6, 1946 – Jan. 26, 2021

Kasey Crawford, a long-time resident of Bloomfield, NM entered eternal rest on January 26 in Albuquerque, NM after battling heart and kidney failure.

Kasey is survived by her husband, Terry Crawford; her sister, Robin Wheeler; her aunt, Betty Conrad; her cousins, Katrina Conrad-King, Susan Fleming, Karen Burch, Sharen Lindberg, Dale Farrar, her sisters-in-law, Sharon Stiffler and Alta Sue (Tom) Radke; her children, Brandon (Beverly) Fredenburg, Jeffrey (Tammie) Fredenburg, Kristin (Erik) Hansen; her stepchildren, Tim (Christina) Crawford, Read More

BARBARA VAN VLEET Dec. 19, 2020

Barbara Van Vleet, 88, of Albuquerque and formerly of Los Alamos, New Mexico (lived in Los Alamos over 40 years) and Tyrone, New Mexico, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 19, 2020.

She was born in Seattle, Washington as an only child to Warren and Viola Keith who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her son Dennis Hoak.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Star Tierra (her husband David), her son Richard Hoak, and her daughter Cary Christoff (her husband Brad). She is also survived by grandchildren Tessa (David), Terry (Nicole), Megan, Read More

DENNIS ALYN HOAK May 20, 2020

Dennis Alyn Hoak, 66, of Anchorage, Alaska, and formerly of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away on May 20, 2020.

He was born in Bremerton, Washington to Lester and Barbara Hoak who survived him in death. His mother, Barbara, later passed away on December 19, 2020.

Dennis is also survived by his sister Star Tierra (her husband David), his brother Richard Hoak, and his sister Cary Christoff (her husband Brad).  He is also survived by nieces Tessa (David), Megan, Brenda (Chris), and Molly, nephews Terry (Nicole) and Kiel, and 9 grand nieces and nephews. 

Dennis was active Read More

ROLAND CASPERSEN Dec. 16, 1936 – Jan. 3, 2021

A man of intellectual curiosity, laughter, love and friendship left earth Sunday, January 3, 2021, to join the heavenly hosts. He struggled with cancer for two years.

He was born to Roy and Astrid Caspersen on December 16, 1936, in Oslo, Norway. Worried about the war clouds looming over Europe, in January 1940, Roland’s grandfather, William Caspersen, joined his American born daughter, Astrid, in New York to prepare a new home in the United States.

Roland and his grandmother, Dagmar Caspersen, were to come in mid-April. Germany invaded Norway on April Read More

BARBARA (GRIEGO) JAMES Feb. 10, 1957 – Jan. 10, 2021

Barbara (Griego) James of Visalia, California passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at the young age of 63.

Barbara was born on February 10, 1957 in Anchorage, Alaska. She grew up in Los Alamos, NM and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1975.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Marie Johnson, parents David and Mary Griego, brother Don Griego and sister Rosanne Griego Kincaid.

Barbara retired from Visalia Unified School District in July, 2020 after 25 years of service. She was looking forward to traveling with her husband Read More

LOYAL DEAN ‘BEN’ BENHAM Jan. 8, 2021

Loyal Dean “Ben” Benham passed away January 8th, 2021 from heart failure in Corvallis, Oregon.

Ben was preceded by his beloved wife Millie. 

He is survived by his sons Tom and Jeff. Ben was a strong, caring supporter of his extended family and friends, and lover of the outdoors.

Ben was born in northern Minnesota, though he spent most of his youth in Washington state, working on farms and rebuilding cars even before he could drive. 

Ben and Millie met in Las Vegas while he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. When he was transferred to Spain, Millie followed, and Read More

HELEN ARCHULETA Aug. 15, 1939 – Jan. 3, 2021

Our beloved Helen Archuleta, 81 took her final breath on January 3, 2021, after a long battle with COVID-19. Surrounded by true heroes—the amazing health care workers and staff of Los Alamos Medical Center—who worked day in and day out risking their lives fighting to save hers.

Although it will be hard to fathom this earthly world without Helen physically here, she is now at eternal peace with God who led her spirit home to heaven and lives on in all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. 

Helen leaves behind the love of her life, Videlio “Phil” Archuleta Read More

JOHN ERIC RUNDBERG – May 13, 1986-Jan. 8, 2021

John Eric Rundberg, a resident of Socorro, New Mexico, died unexpectedly on Friday, January 8th in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 34.

He was born May 13, 1986 in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the second of three children born to Bob and Ginger Rundberg. He grew up in Los Alamos, where he attended Los Alamos High School, played club rugby, and taught swimming lessons as a lifeguard at Canyon Vista Pool in White Rock.

He attended New Mexico Tech in Socorro, where he became involved with Pygmy Rugby, first as a player and later as the team’s unofficial photographer. Read More

JOSHUA DAVID MIKO Dec. 26, 2003 – Jan. 9, 2021

Joshua David Miko was born on December 26, 2003 and was called back to heaven at the age of 17 on January 9, 2021.

He died doing what he loved – camping.

Josh is the son of David and Janice Miko and was born and raised in Los Alamos.

Josh was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Joseph Miko; maternal grandparents, Charles and Barbara Heise; and uncle, Richard Heise.

He is survived by his parents; sister, Rebecca Miko; grandmother, Dolores Miko; and many other relatives and friends.

Josh was very active in the community, being a long-standing member Read More

LORING COX, JR. April 24, 1919 – Dec. 29, 2020

Loring Cox, Jr. was born on April 24, 1919 to Thomas Loring Cox and Araminta (Ninnie) Cox in Birch River, West Virginia. He grew up on a farm in rural West Virginia, back when rural meant very basic, as one of ten children.

After finishing school, he started working at a law firm, but soon had an opportunity to get a job with the federal government, which paid better and had more job security.

At the outbreak of World War II, he was stationed in Bermuda. He volunteered for the Army Air Corps, much to the displeasure of his boss. He wasn’t able to qualify as a pilot Read More

TOMAS DURAN Jr Dec. 14, 1952 – Dec. 30, 2020

Tomas (Tom) Duran Jr, 68, of Farmington, NM passed away Wednesday December 30, 2020.

Tom was born December 14, 1952, in Albuquerque, NM to the late Tomas and Frances Duran of Cuba, NM. He grew up in Cuba, NM, with his six siblings.

After four years in the US Army, Tom relocated to Farmington, NM where he pursued his journeyman’s electrical license, laying the foundation for his professional career. During this time of professional development, he met and married his wife Rebecca (Becky) in 1980. The two welcomed twins Stephen and Linda in the Spring of 1982. Read More

WILLIAM WESLEY COMBS July 20, 1929 – Dec. 10, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved father, William Wesley Combs, Jr., who died on December 10, 2020 from COVID-19. He was 91.

The anguish we feel about his passing is difficult to describe. He was not a young man, but he was taken from us too soon. He still had things to do and to say.

But we choose to remember his remarkable life and character. Bill Combs was born on July 20, 1929 in Northeastern Mississippi (Houston) and raised in Raymond and Inverness. He graduated as Valedictorian from Inverness High School in 1947, and Read More

SAM DONALDSON Dec. 27, 2020

The Sam Donaldson passed away peacefully at home in Los Alamos, NM on December 27, 2020 after a brief illness resulting from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Because Sam shared the same name as the famous ABC News journalist, people would often ask if he was “The Sam Donaldson;” to which he would reply, “I am not the ABC Sam, but yes, I am The Sam Donaldson.”

The Sam Donaldson was born in Bath, Maine to Scott and Minnie Thelma Donaldson. His father was a career Navy man which led to many moves along with his sister Nancy and brother Scott. The family eventually settled Read More

JAMES A. BARAN Sept. 24, 1938 – Dec. 29, 2020

James A. Baran, 82, a long time Los Alamos resident, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in Los Alamos.

He was born September 24, 1938 in Parma, Ohio, the son of Andrew and Josephine Baran.

Jim graduated from Case Institute of Technology with a degree in Physics, then later received his Master’s of Science Degree in 1963 from Kansas State University, where he also earned his Doctorate Degree

Jim began his 30 year career at Los Alamos National Lab in 1968 and at his retirement received a certificate of appreciation.

In his early years he was heavily involved Read More

R. RICHARD BARTSCH Oct. 26, 1940 – Nov. 20, 2020

Richard Bartsch dedicated his life to peering into the building blocks of matter and energy that power the stars and savoring fresh air with friends and family beneath the open sky.

Over a decades-long career as an electrical engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the nation’s premier nuclear research center, he authored or co-authored more than 90 research papers on energy and nuclear fusion and collaborated with scientists in Japan and Russia.

He died at home in Sequim, Washington Nov. 20, 2020, surrounded by family after a four-year battle Read More

ADAM JAMES OSCHWALD May 29, 1986 – Nov. 22, 2020

Adam James Oschwald passed unexpectedly on November 22, 2020. He was 34 years old. He was born in Las Cruces, NM, to Anita McCormick and William Oschwald.

He is survived by his daughters, Lydia, Jaydin and Isabella, sister, Valerie Naranjo (James), grandfather C.T. Tirre, godparents Jim Oschwald (Kirsten), Cary Oschwald-Mellos (Mike) and partner Ciprianna Roybal. He also leaves many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Adam was a very talented artist. He had attended Santa Fe Community College where he studied art. His passion of music Read More

VICKIE SUE EAGAN Dec. 13, 1941 – Dec. 27, 2020

Vickie Sue Eagan,79, a resident of Los Alamos was born December 13, 1941 to Roscoe and Georgia Horner in Alva, Oklahoma.

She lived in Alva with her parents and sisters, Sondra and Jacqueline until she wed Gerald Eagan. She lived in Las Alamos until her death December 27, 2020.

Gerald and Vickie moved to Las Alamos, New Mexico where they lived in the same residence their entire life together raising their two children, Jeffery and Diane. Vickie is fondly remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She dedicated her life in support of her family. Read More

MYRA P. BRANCH Feb. 4, 1962 – Dec. 26, 2020

MYRA P. BRANCH, after a courageous, graceful and inspiring seven-year battle with Cerebellar Ataxia, Myra passed away on December 26, 2020. 

In spite of her challenges, Myra lived joyfully, motivating others to do the same. She was born on February 4, 1962 in Española, to Soraida and Henry Pacheco of El Guique.

Surviving Myra are her husband, Don Branch of Los Alamos; daughter, Amanda (Shedrick) and grandsons, Azariah, Asher, Royce of Garland, TX; son, Tim (Nadine) of Española; parents, Soraida and Henry; brothers, Leo (Celinia) of El Guique and Eddie Read More

NICOLAS EMMETT STOREY Jan. 8, 2001 – Dec. 18, 2020

On Friday, December 18, 2020, Nicolas Emmett Storey, beloved son and brother, passed away at the age of 19 from an accidental drug overdose.

Nic was born on January 8, 2001, in Los Alamos, NM to Brad and Amy (Rose) Storey. Nic attended Barranca Mesa Elementary School and Los Alamos Middle School. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2019.

In grade school, Nic enjoyed dancing, playing the cello, cub scouts, swim team, participating in science fairs, sledding, and learning to ski. Many of his friends will remember the video of his dub-step dance Read More

ROBERT DANNEWITZ March 28, 1923 – Dec. 18, 2020

Robert Dannewitz was born on March 28, 1923 in Decatur, Illinois. He was the son of Mary C. Wright and William Dannewitz.

Bob started working at Muller corp. as a design draftsman upon graduation for high school. In 1953 Bob Picked up his family and went west after accepting a position at LANL(Los Alamos National Laboratory) and fell in Love with Los Alamos with the Great outdoors, his love for this never faded.

Bob retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1982 He worked in many divisions, and enjoyed his work, but mostly those he worked with. Read More

LOREN GILMORE LUNDQUIST April 14, 1942 – Dec. 16, 2020

Loren Gilmore Lundquist, born April 14, 1942 to Mae Lorraine (Obenland) Lundquist and Gilmore John Peter Lundquist, passed away Dec. 16, 2020 due to complications from a brief illness.

He was a kind, generous man of integrity with a delightful, wry sense of humor. He served his country for many years, and he will be sorely missed by his family and friends. 

Any obituary of Loren Lundquist should rightfully contain as many details as possible, but Loren lived such a rich life that it’s hard to live up to his standards.

He was born in Alexandria, Read More

JOHN P. BRADLEY 1928 – Dec. 16, 2020

We mourn the death and celebrate the life of John P. Bradley, who was, as he always said, “born at a very early age” in Utica, New York, in 1928.

He grew up in Cassville, New York, and met Emily Preston, in Utica, where they married; and he has missed her very much since her death in 2006.

John very much loved the outdoors, including, as an adult, skiing, hiking, kayaking, and swimming as often as possible, as well as working around the 5-acre property he and Emily bought in 1966 in the Pojoaque Valley.

John obtained degrees in chemical and civil engineering and loved working Read More

OLIVIA ROYBAL (BARBARA) STOVER Sept. 2, 1926 – Dec. 20, 2020

Olivia Roybal (Barbara) Stover, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed peacefully on Sunday, December 20, 2020.

Barbara was a successful business woman, partnering with her husband Charles “Smokey” Stover in opening La Mesita Restaurant in 1951 and operating the same for 45 years. She was known throughout the Pojoaque Valley for her homemade pies and chocolate and carrot cakes which were made fresh daily, and on request, she would make her famous biscochitos, and delicious papita Read More

MARTHA QUINTANA HUME FAUSSONE April 2, 1931 – Dec. 16, 2020

Martha Quintana Hume Faussone passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020.

She was born to Ramon and Libradita Quintana on April 2, 1931 in Pojoaque, NM.

Martha was fortunate to be loved by two wonderful men. James T. Hume, the father of her children who passed away in 1977 and Roscoe Faussone whom she married in 1981 and with whom she shared the great joy of grandparenting.

Martha leaves behind her husband, Roscoe Faussone; daughter, Peggy Rustin/Sherry; sons, Gordon Hume/Jeannie, Donald and Dennis Hume; three granddaughters; two grandsons; Read More

ROBERT E. HARRIS Aug. 3, 1940 – Dec. 14, 2020 

Robert E. Harris (Bob/Eddie), age 80, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 14, 2020, in Los Alamos, NM.

Eddie was born in Brownfield, TX August 3, 1940. He was the second oldest of six children by his mother Mary (French) Newby. He married Linda Mae Wherley on June 6, 1964 in Albuquerque, NM. 

Eddie was raised by his father Floyd Harris and mother, Mary, in Tesuque, NM. He attended Santa Fe High School where he was active in football and track & field. In 1964, Eddie moved to Los Alamos to begin working at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He worked Read More

MICHAEL N. SCHULTZ Dec. 14, 2020

Michael M. Schultz, age 68, died peacefully at home in Los Alamos, NM Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, surrounded by his wife and children.

Mike was born in 1952 in Neenah, WI to Norma (Wanty) and the late Merle Schultz. He grew up in Waupaca, WI, the middle child of seven. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan (Steiner) in 1975, and they had two children, Emily and Elliot. Waupaca was their home until 2014, when they relocated in retirement to Los Alamos, and enjoyed the abundant sunshine, beautiful mountains, and the company of their grown children.

Surviving Mike is Read More

HARRIET CAMPBELL June 20, 1931 – Dec. 7, 2020 

Harriet Elizabeth Thomson Campbell, 89, most recently a resident of Carrier Mills Nursing Home, Carrier Mills, Illinois passed away Dec. 7, 2020.

Harriet started her life journey June 20, 1931 on the family farm near Fairfax, MO and Falls City, NE, the daughter of Gordon and Eleanor Thomson.

In 1949, she married Lowell W. Campbell of Pinckneyville, Illinois. They resided in the greater St. Louis metro area near Columbia, IL for over 20 years.

After the death of Lowell in 1984, Harriet moved to Highland, IL and then in 2008 to Los Alamos, New Mexico to Read More

JOE BERGSTEIN Feb. 5, 1923 – Dec. 10, 2020

Joe Bergstein died Dec. 10, 2020 at the age of 97. Joe was born in McKeesport, PA Feb. 5, 1923, the seventh of nine children by his mother Teresa (Kestenbaum) Bergstein and twelfth of fourteen by his father Sigmond Bergstein. His timing was poor. The Great Depression arrived when he was six years old and was still around when he turned eighteen.

His mother died of cancer shortly before he turned seventeen. He worked at whatever odd jobs he could find to help put food on the table. He graduated from McKeesport High School in 1940.

In Feb. 1941, after trying unsuccessfully Read More

DONALD LIND WINCHELL, JR. July 9, 1946 – Dec. 6, 2020

Donald Lind Winchell, Jr. was born in Bethesda, Maryland on July 9, 1946, the third and youngest child of Donald Lind Winchell, Sr. and Constance Palmer Winchell.

Donald and his family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1953 and he graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1964. Through a Navy ROTC Scholarship, he attended Oregon State University, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics. Immediately following his graduation, he married his college sweetheart Donna Dykes on June 14, 1969. 

After attending the Naval Read More

ERIC MILFRED ‘NANI’ VALDEZ Nov. 16, 2020

Eric Milfred “Nani” Valdez, 59, a resident of Española, NM formerly of La Villita joined his parents in paradise on November 16, 2020.

Eric was a loving, caring, and helpful man. He was willing to help anyone who needed assistance. He could fix almost anything mechanical. He enjoyed working for Shannon Corporation in Los Alamos for over twenty years. He could often be seen driving the white truck to work on various properties around Town. His easy laugh and deep knowledge of mechanics and construction endeared him to those who knew him. 

He enjoyed working Read More

KATHLEEN LORRAINE JARAMILLO March 7, 1963 – Nov. 20, 2020

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved sister (daughter, Mother and grandmother), Kathleen Lorraine Jaramillo (Vigil). 

Our beautiful sister’s life was taken tragically on Friday, November 20th, 2020 at the age of 57. 

Kathy had a vibrant zest for life and a can-do attitude that will continue to be an inspiration for our whole family.

Kathy was preceded in death by our Father, Earl Joseph Jaramillo, only three weeks earlier.

She is survived by our Mother; Ruth Marcelina Jaramillo (Montoya); ex-husband Read More