Obituaries

MARJORIE LORRAINE PORTER April 27, 1920 – Nov. 30, 2020

Marjorie Lorraine Porter, beloved friend and cool lady, passed away on November 30, 2020 at the age of 100 years and 7 months.

She lived in Los Alamos for the last three years with her friend Debra Lowenstein.

Margie was born on April 27, 1920 in Oakland, Calif. to Gladys Meyers Gonsalves and Jack Gonsalves. She grew up in Oakland but spent time in northern and southern California.

Margie was an only child and was especially loved by her grandparents Annie May and Daddy Walter. Margie practiced gymnastics as a young girl and excelled. However, Read More

THURMAN LAMAR TALLEY July 26, 1937 – Nov. 28, 2020

Thurman Lamar Talley of Los Alamos, NM, departed peacefully from this world on November 28, 2020. He was 83.

He was a devoted and inspiring husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend with a profound and authentic generosity of spirit.

Thurman was born into a caring, working-class family in Portales, NM, where he was an accomplished athlete and student. He studied at Rice and Eastern New Mexico universities, ultimately earning a doctorate in Nuclear Physics from Florida State.

In 1966, he returned to his native New Mexico with a Read More

ROBERT ‘BOB’ BOLAND  Sept. 11, 1937 – Nov. 24, 2020

1. Robert “Bob” Boland who died on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 in Albuquerque, NM was born September 11, 1937 to Willard Roy Boland and Mary Pauline Mitchell Boland, in Winter Haven, Florida. 

He earned his B.S. at Davidson College in North Carolina. His professional life was especially interesting. After graduating from Davidson, he was employed at NASA in Hampton, Virginia, where he met his wife of 60 years, Beryl Ann Pope. While with NASA, he was a member of the 3-person team which proved the feasibility of the mission to the moon. 

Leaving NASA Read More

JERRY JACOBY April 30, 1940 – Aug. 16, 2020

Jerry Jacoby, a gentle, caring man of service, passed rather suddenly from a heart issue in August 2020. He had been working in his loved yard overlooking the Sandia’s in Rio Rancho just the day before.

For 30 years, Jerry worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1968 to 1998 in various groups, finally in X-Division, considering himself a computational physicist.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he got all of his degrees from Oregon State University. He also served as a supply officer in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964. He enjoyed 18 Read More

BARBARA SINKULA Nov. 19, 2020

Barbara Sinkula, age 59, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away Nov. 19, 2020 after a year-long struggle with brain cancer.

She was born in St. Clair Shores, MI and grew up spending time at the family cottage on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario. She graduated from Oberlin College with degrees in Cello Performance and Biology.

Following her undergraduate degree, she spent two years in China teaching English through Oberlin’s Shansi program. Barbara received her doctorate in Civil Engineering at Stanford University and published a book on Chinese Environmental Read More

JEANNE MELANIE HURFORD Sept. 11, 1942 – Nov. 7, 2020

Jeanne M. Hurford – beloved sister, aunt, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away Saturday Nov. 7, 2020.

Jeanne was born Sept. 11, 1942 in Elizabethtown NY, to William M. Wattie and Augustine Norman Wattie. She attended a one room schoolhouse in Beekmantown, NY until the larger school was built.  She graduated from Beekmantown High School and attended Plattsburgh University.

In 1962, she married Dale Tremblay and together they had 2 sons, Mark and Michael. Jeanne’s family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico where she began her long Read More

GERI WALTERS June 1, 1943 – Oct. 1, 2020

Geri Walters passed away October 1, 2020, in Kennewick, Washington.

Geri was born June 1, 1943, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to John and Caroline Huck. She was a graduate of Grand Junction HS and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in elementary education.

She was married in 1969 to Ron Walters, a scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Geri was an elementary teacher in Greeley, Colorado, for 4 years and 24 years in Los Alamos, New Mexico. After moving to Kennewick, Geri was an instructor Read More

LORIE C. TORRES Nov. 6, 2020 

Lorie C. Torres, 42, a resident of Los Alamos, was called home unexpectedly on Friday, November 6, 2020 after a week of battling injuries sustained in a car accident.

Lorie was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, auntie, Godmother, niece, cousin and friend.

She touched many lives with her words of encouragement, acts of kindness and unconditional love. She loved the Lord her God with all of her heart, mind, soul and strength and is now living eternally in His presence.

Lorie is survived by her Beloved Sons, Robert and Isaac Torres and their Father, Robert Torres; parents Read More

WILLIAM MAURITS VISSCHER May 1928 – Nov. 15, 2020

Bill Visscher was born in May 1928 in Memphis, TN and died on November 15, 2020 in Los Alamos, NM.

He grew up in Minneapolis, MN, graduated from the University of Minnesota and received a PhD from Cornell University. While in graduate school, he met Jean Dininny, the daughter of Robert and Elsie Woodford Dininny. They married in July 1951 and were together over 69 years.

Bill and Jean moved to Los Alamos in 1956 where Bill worked as a research physicist in the T-11 group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory until his retirement in 1991. He was an avid outdoorsman, Read More

Lydia J. Reynolds Oct. 25, 2020

Lydia J. Reynolds age 88, a resident of Santa Fe, died unexpectedly of natural causes on October 25, 2020.

Lydia was born to George L. Clark, a WWI veteran, and Mildred MacNulty Clark in Joplin, Missouri in 1932.

She grew up in Silver Spring and Annapolis, Maryland. In 1951 her family made the decision to move west for her father’s health. Her parents chose Colorado while she moved to Albuquerque and began taking classes at UNM. She married a classmate, John Leonhard, but became a widow at age 21 when he was killed in the Korean War.

Happily, in 1955 she met Wayne Reynolds Read More

RALPH NELSON April 23, 1925 – Nov. 10, 2020

Dr. Ralph Nelson, age 95, passed away in Albuquerque, NM on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, while surrounded by his family.

Ralph was born on April 23, 1925 in Moline, Illinois. After graduating from Rock Island High School in 1943, he was drafted into the US Army and was later assigned to the 106th Infantry Division. On December 16, 1944, while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest, Belgium, he was taken prisoner by German forces and transported to a POW camp, Bad Orb, outside Frankfurt, Germany.

After his liberation by Allied Forces in April Read More

REBECCA HOLMES ROGERS March 8, 1950 – Oct. 23, 2020

Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 another bright star was added to the skies. Our dear Rebecca Holmes Rogers, born March 8, 1950 in Wood River, IL to Gene and Shirley Holmes, passed on due to complications of leukemia.

Rebecca also known as Reba, Rita, Becca, Beebs and Reba du Twain, was truly a free spirit, marching to the beat of her own drum.

Beki saw beauty in the wonder-filled earth around her. From the smallest seashell to the most majestic Redwood-she was truly a lover and protector of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts to all of us.

Although spending most of Read More

CURTIS MONTGOMERY KLATT March 6, 1959 – Oct. 16, 2020

Monty Klatt, age 61 passed away in a tragic vehicle/pedestrian accident on October 16, 2020.

He was born on March 6, 1959 in Española, NM. Monty grew up in Los Alamos and graduated from Los Alamos High School.

He enjoyed playing baseball and football, he wrestled and skied, both snow and water skiing.

He loved animals, as a boy on family vacations he had chipmunks eating out of his hand. Monty loved his family, he was a fun loving uncle who delighted in his nieces and nephews. He was a true friend and through the years cared for those in need. His big bear Read More

SIEGFRIED GERSTL Aug. 5, 1939 – Oct. 17, 2020

Siegfried Gerstl, husband of 50 years, father, father-in-law, Opa, fraternity brother, and friend, died peacefully on Oct. 17, 2020, from pulmonary fibrosis in Biberach, Germany. He was 81.

Sig was born Aug. 5, 1939, in Germany near Stuttgart as the youngest of four brothers. His Bavarian/Swabian roots gave him a healthy self-confidence and a spirit of adventure, as well as diligence, thriftiness and a strong sense of family.

After graduating from business high school in Esslingen and Technical University in Stuttgart, he received his doctorate Read More

NEAL DYE Nov. 5, 2020

Neal Dye (76) was called to heaven on November 5, 2020.

Neal was born in Trinidad, Colorado, but grew up in Española, New Mexico. Neal met his wife Janis in 1963 and they were married in 1964 and celebrated 55 years of marriage.

They spent most of their years in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where they raised their two children: son David and daughter Deborah. On Neal’s retirement in 2001, they moved to La Veta, Colorado, where Neal had spent many summers as a child visiting his relatives.

Neal had a wonderful sense of humor and was so proud of himself when he could play a prank on one of his Read More

TIMOTHY W. GARBETT April 28, 1965 – Nov. 3, 2020

Timothy W. Garbett went to be with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on November 3, 2020 after a long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. 

Tim was born April 28, 1965 in Fremont, California to George and Alice Garbett.

Tim is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy; daughter, Ksenia of Los Alamos; mother, Alice Garbett of Denver; brothers, Stephen of Colorado, and Dan of Philadelphia, and sister, Shari of Miami.

Tim served 4 years in the US Navy, serving in the western Pacific. Following discharge from the Navy, he attended Metro State University in Denver Read More

PAUL L. CHURCH Nov. 5, 2020

Our fiercely independent brother has died. Paul L. Church was born in October of 1957 in Los Alamos. 

His father, James S. Church, was a chemist who worked on the Manhattan Project, and his mother, Esther W. Church, was a biologist who taught at the high school. 

Paul graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1975. He attended the University of New Mexico and

Northern Arizona University before making his way to the pristine wilderness of Alaska, where he lived for several decades, fostering his rebellious spirit and relishing the mountains and nature – if not always the Read More

JOE TAPIA July 27, 1922 – Nov. 1, 2020

Joe Tapia, 98, beloved Father, was called to his eternal resting place on November 1, 2020.

He entered this world on July 27, 1922 in Chamita, NM, born to Luciano and Genoveva Tapia.

He was met in Heaven by his wife Margaret Tapia.

He is survived by his only daughter Lucille Wietzema and her husband Jake, by his eldest son David Tapia, by his youngest son Jonathan Tapia, and by his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joe served in the Army from February 1942 to February 1946.

Joe was interred with his wife, Margaret, at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, but due to Read More

MICHAEL R. MCCLANNAHAN Nov. 7, 2020

Michael R. McClannahan peacefully died surrounded by his family on Nov. 7, 2020. He was 82. He had been in failing health over the past several months. In the end his strong heart finally gave out but not without a fight.

Although christened Michael at birth, he was Mike to everyone. Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1938, Mike spent the first years of his life with a lung ailment that made breathing difficult. In a flatbed Ford converted into a camp trailer, Mike’s parents hit the road searching for a climate that would help the small boy heal. They ended up in Eunice, NM, Read More

DONNA HERBST Nov. 4, 2020

Donna Herbst (née Kalb) died peacefully in her Santa Fe home after a short battle with cancer Nov. 4 at the age of 84.

Donna is survived by her husband (Richard Herbst) of 63 years, her sister Terry, her children Pam (John), Beth (Michael), Catherine (Todd), Terresa, and Rita (Otto), grandchildren Mattea, Max, Patrick, Christopher, Marcel, Anatole, Xavier and Josephine, and seven nieces and nephews.

Donna was born in Illinois to Joseph and Lee Kalb. She went to Trinity High School in River Forest and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign where she met her husband. Read More

BILLY E. TODD Aug. 17, 1933 – Oct. 29, 2020

Billy E. Todd (Buddy), age 87 passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, Oct. 29 in his home in White Rock, N.M.

There will be a Mass at 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos, N.M., with a burial to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the mass is limited to immediate family only. Livestream video access will be available for those that want to attend virtually.

Honors will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery shortly after Mass services with the same Read More

EARL J. JARAMILLO Oct. 16, 1941 – Oct. 30, 2020

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad and Grandfather, Earl Joseph (José) Jaramillo. Our Dad was called home Friday, Oct. 30, 2020 at the age of 79. He passed away doing one of the things he loved best, walking at Frenchy’s Field/Trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Dad was preceded in death by his Father, Joseph Jaramillo, Mother, Drucilla Jaramillo, brothers Arthur Jaramillo, Joe Jaramillo Jr. and sister Drucilla (Sandoval) Jaramillo.

He is survived by his first wife Ruth (Montoya) Jaramillo; their seven children including Read More

SALLY BIELER CHAMBERLIN May 11, 1928 – Oct. 15, 2020

Sally Bieler Chamberlin passed away peacefully in her home on October 15, 2020, surrounded by her three children and one daughter-in-law.

She is survived by her brother, Barrie H. Bieler; her three children, David Chamberlin, Linda Chamberlin, and Alan Chamberlin; her three grandchildren and her four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter S. Chamberlin.

Sally grew up in southern California where she attended Anoakia High School and graduated from Scripps College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950. She Read More

ANA ANDREA AMES Feb. 4, 1939 – Oct. 31, 2020

Ana Andrea Ames, “Anita” was born February 4th, 1939 in Abreus, Cuba.

She came to the United States in the early 60s. She met her husband, Carl, in June of 1974 in Mexico City, Mexico. Their love for each other developed quickly on a tour bus on the way from Mexico City to Acapulco. They were married on June 12th, 1976 in New York City, NY at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Their son Richard was born June 26th, 1979.

Anita worked at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in the billing department for many years.

In 1989 Anita moved to Los Alamos with Carl. She has lived Read More

JOHN REDMAN MARSHALL III April 6, 1936 – Oct. 19, 2020

John Redman Marshall III of Orlando, Florida passed away peacefully on the 19th of October 2020 in Los Alamos, New Mexico in the presence of his wife Elaine, son Nicholas, and dog Nina.

He was known as “Jack” to his friends and relations. Jack was born April 6, 1936, in Aurora, Illinois to John Redman Marshall II and Gladys Marie Beecher.

He was a proud member of the class of 1954 of Yorkville, Illinois high school. Jack joined the US Navy upon graduating from high school. After boot camp at Great Lakes, he attended electronics school at Treasure Read More

DIANA DAILEY RAMSEY May 17, 1937 – Oct. 18, 2020

Diana Dalley Ramsey, age 83, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2020 in her beautiful home and loving community in Elk Bend, Idaho.

She was born at Preston, Idaho, to Edith Lucinda Goff and Elbert Alonzo Dalley and was the oldest of two children.

After graduating from high school, she married Charles Witzel Ramsey at Elko, Nevada. They were later sealed in the Manti Temple in August of 1978.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents and brother Bruce.

She is survived by her loving husband; her four children (and spouses), Clay (Cindy), Lucinda Ramsey Read More

JOSE “JOE” ERNESTO HERNANDEZ Nov. 7, 1941 – Oct. 17, 2020

Jose “Joe” Ernesto Hernandez, age 78, passed away Saturday, October 17, 2020

He was born in El Paso, TX on November 7, 1941, to Jose and Consuelo ‘Lupe’ Hernandez. He was preceded in death by his father, Jose Hernandez; mother, Consuelo ‘Lupe’ Hernandez.

Joe is survived by his most beloved wife, Elvira “Daisy” Hernandez of Rio Rancho, NM; sons, Darrek (Susan) Hernandez of Tucson, AZ; Kenny (Katharine) Hernandez of Albuquerque, NM; daughter, Trisha Ballweg of Stevens Point, WI; sister, Yolie Franco of El Paso, Read More

ROSALIE TAYLOR April 1, 1925 – Oct. 20, 2020

Rosalie Taylor passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 in the 96th year of her beautiful life.

She was born April 1, 1925 to Edythe and Edward Coffield. The doctor announced to the father of three girls that he finally had a boy. The April Fools’ joke was not appreciated as the doctor was never asked back to care for the family.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Katherine, Marcella, and Maxine, and her brothers, Edward and John. Rosalie lost Joseph, her husband of 64 years, in 2016.

Rosalie is survived by her four children: Read More

CONRAD FINK Oct. 13, 2020

Conrad Fink passed away peacefully on October 13th, 2020, at his home in Los Alamos. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold & Thelma, and sister Marylin.

He is survived by his wife Monica, children Susan, Michael, and Rebecca, and grandchildren Devyn, Liberty, Justice, Christian, River, and Phoenix, two sisters, and one brother.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice.

His burial will be a private service held later in Iowa. 

The family has entrusted Conrad to the care of Rivera Family Funerals & Cremations, 1627 A Central Read More

IMOGENE DISON June 10, 1934 – July 14, 2020

Imogene Dison, a beloved well-known, long-time resident of Los Alamos, N.M. passed away on July 14th, 2020 at the age of 86 due to complications of dementia, with her son Joseph and granddaughters Amber and Tarah by her side.

Imogene was widowed to James Dison; mother of Letha (deceased), Joseph, and Todd Dison; step-mother of Lloyd, Leon, and Donna Loraine Dison; and was a grandmother and great-grandmother.

Imogene, together with her twin sister Josephine, older sister Virginia and younger brother Billy Dean, were born to Inez and Joe Gilbert and raised Read More

OREST “DON” STRELTZOFF Sept. 24, 1934 – Oct. 13, 2020

Don Strel, 86, died October 13, 2020 from myelogenous leukemia and dementia.

Don was born in San Francisco, California to Lorraine (McManus) and Orest Streltzoff and grew up near Golden Gate Park. He graduated from San Francisco State College, served in the Army at Fort Benjamin Harris in Indiana, and met his first wife, Sheila Sullivan.

He returned to San Francisco to teach art at San Francisco State and then became a professor of art and design at Northern Illinois University. He also taught at the Chicago Art Institute, working with high school Read More

LINDA ANN BRESHEARS March 29, 1940 – Oct. 13, 2020

Linda Ann Breshears, an adored wife of 59 years, a beloved mother of 5, a grandmother to 14, an avid volunteer and loving teacher, died on Oct 13, 2020 in Tucson, AZ. She was 80. 

She was born March 29, 1940, in Spokane, Washington. Never one to shy from adventure, in her early years she enjoyed skiing and summited several northwest peaks including Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. Linda’s brother once said she got her intelligence and culinary skills from her mother and her effervescent personality and determination from her father. Read More

By LOUIS WILLIAM CUTLER Aug. 23, 1932 – Oct. 9, 2020

Louis William Culter was born in Three Oaks, Michigan to John and Mary Culter. He was the youngest of five children.

Growing up Lou liked to play basketball, go fishing, enjoy the outdoors around Lake Michigan. After high school Lou joined the airforce and was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he met his wife of 48 years, Dolores Gomez.

Lou and Dolores moved to El Rancho, New Mexico in their early years of marriage where he was warmly welcomed into the Gomez family. He formed a strong bond with his in-laws, brothers Read More

LINDA ANDERSON: Sept. 25, 1937 – Oct. 4, 2020

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing on Sunday, October 4, 2020, of our dear mother and wife, Linda Anderson, at her home in White Rock, New Mexico.

Linda was born in Maplewood, New Jersey to the late Margaret and Joseph Quinn on September 25th, 1937. She attended Maplewood High School and graduated with a B.A. in languages from Penn State University, where she met her husband of 60 years, Charles Alfred Anderson.

Linda dedicated her life to education, teaching French and Spanish classes for 25 years at Los Alamos Middle and High Schools. Read More

JEANNIE BILLINGS Nov. 30, 1944 – Oct. 5, 2020

On December 28th, 1963, Jeannie Billings stood before God and promised to love Jim Steedle until the day she died. That promise was fulfilled on Oct. 5, 2020. Together, she and Jim shared 57 years of marriage, 2 children, and a lifetime of memories and laughter. Jeannie especially enjoyed the past 25 years as she lived the “retired life”.

Jeannie was born Nov. 30, 1944 in California. When she was still a child, she moved with her parents to Los Alamos, New Mexico, so her dad could work at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. She met her husband, Read More