Obituaries

TAMMY M. THORN Aug. 13, 2018

Tammy M. Thorn, 58, a resident of El Rancho, passed away peacefully on Monday Aug. 13, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Ledford and brother, Cecil W. Thorn Jr.

Tammy was a loving and caring person who helped anyone in need. She worked at Los Alamos National Bank for 38 years and made many friends throughout her career. She finished her banking career at New Mexico Bank & Trust.

Tammy was civic minded and served on various boards including the Sombrillo Nursing Facility and Los Alamos Visiting Nurses, just to name a few. Read More

MICHAEL MCKAY Jan. 5, 1944 – Aug. 5, 2018

Michael D. McKay, age 74, died on August 5, 2018 of injuries sustained from a sudden accident.

Michael was born in Temple, Texas to Ida Lucille Camiade and James A McKay Jr. In 1966, he married Patricia Ellison and together they had 3 amazing children (Cynthia, Michael, and Jennifer). After receiving his PhD in Statistics from Texas A&M, they moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1973 where he began his life-long career at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.

After retiring from the Lab, Michael volunteered as a set designer and actor with the Los Alamos Little Theater. Read More

ANN RUPPEL Aug. 4, 2018

Ann Ruppel, 82, died in the early morning hours of August 4th, 2018, in Seattle, Washington.

She was born in Hope, Arkansas and attended Radcliffe College, where she met Hans Ruppel. After they married in 1956, she completed a BA in Political Science at George Washington University. In August 1964, following a stint in New Haven, Connecticut, they moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, with their three daughters, Robin, Wendy and Joanna.

Ann was an artist. She had a tremendously intelligent and creative mind, and, as a true Renaissance woman, excelled in a wide range of pursuits. Read More

TOBIN ‘TOBY’ KARL WALTERS July 22, 1954 – Feb. 24, 2018

Toby, geologist, musician, writer, avid fisherman, father, friend, passed away due to complications from heart surgery.

He is survived by his mother, Billie Walters; his daughters, Nicola and Heather; siblings, Leigh, Kurt and Stella; brother-in-law, Rick Krauss; ex-wife, Alison Pannell; plus a large loving family of nieces and nephews; as well as cherished life-long friends.

Please join friends and family Aug. 18 from 4-6 p.m., to share stories, bring a guitar and fill the afternoon in his remembrance. 600 Solar Road NW, Albuquerque, Read More

JULIA (KUSHNER) GAUTHIER March 2, 1925 – July 1, 2018

Julia Gauthier, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, employed in many occupations, a volunteer, and our Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, died in her sleep on 1 July 2018 after a brief battle with cancer. 

Julia was born Julia Kushner in Passaic, New Jersey on 2 March 1925 to Susan and John (Jan) Kushner (Kusnir), then recent immigrants from what is now Slovakia. Julia (Julie) grew up–“a happy childhood”–in Passaic during the Great Depression and went through the Passaic public school system. Julie and her older Read More

LARRY D. CLARK July 29, 2018

Larry D. Clark, 70, a resident of White Rock, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 29, 2018. He was preceded in death by his mother, June Clark.

Larry retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory after 30 years as a machinist. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved camping with his wife Patricia.

Mr. Clark is survived by his wife, Patricia Clark; father, Charles Clark; children, Allen Clark (Elizabeth) of Texas, Jason Clark of California and Ledena also of California; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers, Edward Clark (Pam) and David Clark (Nancy) Read More

GEORGE ALLEN BAKER Nov. 25, 1932 – July 24, 2018

George Allen Baker passed away at home on July 24, 2018. He was born on November 25, 1932 in Alton, IL to George Allen and Grace Elizabeth (Cummins) Baker. He married Elizabeth Ann Coles, September 9, 1956 in Berkeley, CA and she preceded him in death on December 31, 1988. He married Carroll (South) Thomas, November 23, 1990 in Los Alamos, NM.

Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Carroll; brother, John Baker (Carolyn) of St Charles, IL; three daughters: Connie (Alan Post) of Springfield, IL; Linda (Bruce Kirin) of Pittsburgh, PA; Deborah (Ed Seidewitz) Read More

RUTH A. CHAVEZ July 8, 1931 – July 30, 2018

Ruth Adelina Chavez, beloved Mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and friend passed away peacefully July 30, 2018 in Los Alamos and is now on to her next journey. 

She will be remembered for her warm smile and zest for life and carrot cake. Ruth worked for Los Alamos Public Schools for over 40 years and was the strong business woman beside her beloved and late husband Max. Residing in Los Alamos for nearly 70 years, and raising 5 kids locally, she was well known and popular. 

She is survived by three sons Abel Chavez of Pueblo, Read More

GRACE LORETTA BONCELLA Dec. 12, 1922 – June 27, 2018

Grace Loretta Boncella passed from this earth peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on June 27th, 2018.

Grace entered this world, full of life, on December 12, 1922 to Joseph and Emily Petrick.

Always interested in theater, she would later refer to her life as occurring in “Acts”. Her 1st Act, her childhood, was enjoyed in Cleveland, Ohio. Her dad, Joe, was a policeman who worked the night shift. Emily was a huge movie fan, so every Wednesday she would take Grace and, her sister Alice, to the movies after dinner. Thus, began Grace’s love Read More

ROBERT DUANE COWAN Nov. 24, 1919 – July 26, 2018

Robert Duane Cowan died July 26, 2018.

He was born November 24, 1919 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the eldest of three sons of Ralph Ellis Cowan and Florence Athey Eller Cowan.  The family moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1929, where Bob obtained a bachelor’s degree from Friends University (FU) in 1942. He received a Ph.D. degree in physics from The Johns Hopkins University in 1946, with his thesis in the field of atomic spectra, working under Prof. G. H. Dieke.

In 1944 in Wichita, he married Dorothy Mabel Martinson, whom he had met at FU. They lived in Read More

BARBARA AGNES NIETERS BUCHEN March 2, 1924 – July 19, 2018

Barbara Agnes Nieters Buchen AKA Babsy died peacefully at home on July 19, 2018.

Barbara was born in Denver, Colorado on March 2, 1924 to William and Nellie Mallory Nieters. She was preceded in death by John, her husband of 67 years, her son Jerry, her granddaughter Sarah Buchen, and her three sisters, Mary, Helen and Peggy. She is survived by her children Theresa Hoffman, Katy (Frank) Fuchs, Tony Buchen, Tina Buchen, daughter-in-law Lynne Loucks Buchen, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

She graduated from Loretta College with Read More

BEN MURPHY April 26, 1962 – July 13, 2018

Ben Murphy passed away on July 13, 2018, in Melbourne, Florida. He was born April 26, 1962.

He is survived by his mother, Nancy Murphy Waller, brother Bart Murphy, sister Susie Murphy Gram, wife Laura Murphy, and daughters Heather, Ashley and Courtney.

He is survived my numerous nieces and nephews.

He was a gentle giving person, and will be missed.

Memorial visitation will take place at Beckman Williamson Funeral Home in Viera, FL. A service in Santa Fe is pending. Read More

LARRY HATLER July 12, 2018

Larry Hatler passed away on Thursday morning, July 12th at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque.

Larry was born in a cabin outside of Cloudcroft, New Mexico to Eula Mae and Odell Hatler. He was raised in Central New Mexico, outside of Silver City, where his dad was a bull dozer operator at the Kennecott copper mine.

Larry attended Cobre High School and continued his education at the University of New Mexico, ((UNM) where he was awarded both BS and MS degrees in Chemical engineering. During his high school and early college years, he enjoyed running the hurdles and pole vaulting in Read More

LO REE BUNCH Feb. 1, 1932 – May 30, 2018

Lo Ree Bunch, 86, peacefully passed away May 30, 2018, at Los Alamos Medical Center with her loving husband by her side.

Lo Ree was the best friend and beloved wife of her only love of 55 years, Paul C. Bunch of White Rock, New Mexico. Devoted mother of two sons, Roger Bunch and wife Mattie, Roger is a Manager at CHRISTUS St. Vincent Health System, and Steven Bunch and wife Bridget, Steven owns Skyland Aircraft. The youngest daughter of her late parents: Earl and Goldie Mae Orten- Waterson. Beloved sister of her late brother and sister: Don E. Waterson and Opal Mae Read More

 THOMAS LEE BIGGS June 2, 1944 – July 4, 2018

Thomas Lee Biggs, 74, resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.

Thomas was born on June 2, 1944 in Glenpool, Oklahoma to Helen and William Biggs. 

In his Career with the Army he served in Korea from December 1962-October 1965. Tom received his degree in Electrical Engineering in May of 1971 from the University of Kansas.

He married Vicki Harman on August 14, 1977. Their last residence was in White Rock, New Mexico.

Tom enjoyed boating, water skiing, canoeing, hiking, cross country skiing and overseas traveling. Read More

Jason Allen Young Sept. 30, 1971 – June 24, 2018

Jason Allen Young was born Sept. 30, 1971 and died June 24, 2018. A Boise native, Jason attended elementary and jr. high school in Boise and then completed high school in Kailua, Hawaii.  

Jason returned to Boise after high school where he developed a passion for rock climbing and snowboarding. He traveled to sites of high adventure, often with his brother. Jason thrived on competitive camaraderie in all of his outdoor activities.

Jason attended ISU and, upon earning his degree, relocated to Los Alamos, New Mexico for work. There, he met and married Read More

KATHLEEN M. PADGETT March 5, 1946 – June 29, 2018

Mary Kathleen Majeski Padgett, born in Topeka, Kansas March 5, 1946, passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico June 29, 2018. Her parents Alice Peyton Majeski and Chester Arthur Majeski and her husband of 38 years Gilbert Allen Padgett predecease her. She is survived by three loving cousins Nancy Bennett, Maria Vaughan and Pamela Young.

Kathy spent her early years in Topeka, Kansas and Mobile, Alabama before graduating from high school in 1964 in Colonial Heights, Virginia. She earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and an Assistant Instructor’s Read More

ESTHER CAROLINE (KITTELSON) LARSON Nov. 18, 1926 – June 1, 2018

Esther Caroline Larson passed away on June 1, 2018 peacefully at Aspen Ridge Lodge Assisted Living in Los Alamos, NM.

Esther was born on November 18, 1926 to Martin and Alma Kittelson in Lac Qui Parle County on a farm near Appleton, Minnesota. She was the 5th of eight siblings. Esther attended Moorhead State College and received her Bachelor’s degree in Recreation. Esther also received a teaching degree at the University of Minnesota. She taught school in Minnesota (even for some time in a one room schoolhouse) Read More

SHARON MARTHA (SIBBITT) KETTWICH MD Dec. 4, 1949 – June 10, 2018

Sharon Martha (Sibbitt) Kettwich MD passed away June 10, 2018 at her ranch home in Albuquerque, NM in the presence of her loving family.

Dr. Kettwich was a physician, a commercial pilot, an artist, a businesswoman, an Arabian horse enthusiast, a wife and a mother.

Born Sharon Martha Sibbitt December 4, 1949 in Lafayette, Indiana to Dr. Wilmer L. Sibbitt, PhD Chemical Engineering (Purdue University, Indiana) and Selma D. Otte, Technical Librarian (University of Oklahoma).

Sharon lived her childhood in Los Alamos, NM complete with Read More

JONATHAN ZACHARY MONTOYA June 29, 2018

Jonathan Zachary Montoya, 28, a resident of Los Alamos, left this world far too early on Friday, June 29, 2018.

Zach was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Dennis and Maria Montoya and John and Vera Mench (GiGi and Poppy); aunt, Stella Sandoval; uncles, Robert and Dennis Montoya; cousins, Robby and Raymond Montoya and close friends, Nick Naranjo and Ricky Gonzales.

Zach is the beloved son of Jennifer Montoya-Aylmer and step-son of Lee Aylmer of White Rock.

Zach’s struggles were real and to pretend otherwise would be a disservice to his memory Read More

LINDA RICKEL June 25, 2018

Linda Rickel passed away June 25th, 2018, in the arms of her loving husband Dwight. Linda and Dwight were enjoying their 55th year of marriage, which produced two wonderful children, Erika and Aaron. She also leaves behind her beloved son-in law Daniel, daughter-in law Suzie, 3 grandchildren, Carmen, Simone and Aiden, brothers David and Scotty, sister-in-law Elaine, and numerous friends.

Linda was born in Biloxi, Mississippi and moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she met her husband Dwight. Together they spent time in Tucson, Arizona, and Durham North Carolina before Read More

CONSTANCE MARY COBB March 11, 1943 – June 25, 2018 

Constance Mary Cobb was born March 11, 1943, in Rockford, Illinois to Norman and Geraldine Olson.

Constance (known to everyone as Connie) married Donald Cobb (Don) on August 3, 1963. They moved to Los Alamos from Iowa City, Iowa, with their two-year-old daughter Paula, arriving on July 22, 1970. Their daughter Allison was born in March, 1971. (Connie often remarked that, at first, she thought it was just the change in altitude.) They have been members of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Los Alamos for 48 years.

Connie graduated Read More

MARIE CONN NESTER Oct. 25, 1931 – June 19, 2018

Marie Conn Nester, age 86, passed away on June 19, 2018.  Marie was born on her family’s farm in Richardson County, NE, on October 25, 1931, to William and Anna Kean. 

Marie was preceded in death by her husbands James Conn and Harry Nester, and granddaughter Kelsi Conn. She is survived by her children Catherine Conn (Paul Pate), James Conn, Christine Bowlin (Ralph Bowlin), Patrick Conn (Ceci Conn), and Caroline Conn (Rick Paulson), granddaughters Kayla Kitts (Dominic) and Kourtney Conn, great grandchildren Kayden Kitts and Daxton Read More

JEAN LORETTA (WAITER) DABNEY Jan. 5, 1920 – Aug. 19, 2017

Jean Loretta (Waiter) Dabney was born January 5, 1920 and went to be with our Lord on August 19, 2017.

Jean was raised on a farm in Michigan and moved to Chicago to work for Zenith Radio just before WWII started. Jean served in the Army as a WAC in Los Alamos during WWII where she met her husband, Winston Dabney. They remained in Los Alamos for over 60 years, where they raised their family and worked for LANL.

In their golden years they moved to Casa Grande, AZ to enjoy the year round hot weather. Jean Read More

JAMES JIM PATRICK BORREGO Feb. 20, 1965 – June 11, 2018

On the afternoon of June 11, 2018, the angels came to lead our brother, James Jim Patrick Borrego into paradise.

Jim was born on February 20, 1965 in Los Alamos, to Tony and Jessie Borrego. He was a lifelong resident of White Rock and the second of four sons. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1983 and later from ITT Tech in Albuquerque. He then began his career at LAHS in the electronics department and after 25 years, planned his retirement at the end of June, prior to him falling ill in the early spring. 

Jim lived a quiet life dedicated Read More

CLINTON BERT WEBB Jan. 14, 1936 – June 6, 2018

Clint Webb, 82, peacefully passed away in his home with his loving family by his side. He fought a long, courageous and dignified battle, but the long term effects of Alzheimer’s took its toll.

Clint was born on January 14, 1936 in Brigham City, Utah and adopted by Bert and Hattie Webb shortly after. He was adored by his mother and he loved and adored her until she passed away when he was 15 years old. He grew up in Las Vegas, NV and met his wife while in High School, but they didn’t start dating until after they both graduated. Clint and Shirley were married November Read More

CHARLES ‘CHUCK’ CLEVENGER Aug. 6, 1942 – May 4, 2018

Charles “Chuck” Clevenger passed away May 4, 2018 at his home in Edgewood, NM. He was born August 6, 1942 in Kansas, to the late Marion and Margaret Clevenger.

He went on to become a Journeyman Wireman in construction until he retired in 2011. He was initiated into the IBEW Union Local 611 in April 1964 where he remained a member for 54 years.

Chuck enjoyed hunting, fishing, tools, and Ford’s. He was rough around the edges and enjoyed giving everyone a hard time but deep down had a big heart.

Chuck was preceded in death by his sisters, Marilyn Clevenger Read More

JASON DAVID ZURBRUGG Nov. 3, 1978 – May 28, 2018

Jason David Zurbrugg, 39, passed away unexpectedly on May 28, 2018.

He was born Nov. 3, 1978 in Columbus, Indiana, to David Lawrence and Diane Jean Davis Zurbrugg. He married Beckie Angell Morrison November 3, 2009 in Columbus, Indiana.

Jason overcame many trials in his short life to become a much loved, talented and knowledgeable father, step-father and husband. Jason was brilliant. He loved being outdoors and worked in landscaping and pond design. He had a knack for plants, symmetry and design and built beautiful fountains and ponds with natural Read More